Passaic City record., 1891-06-13

Almost DeIore any one couiu ieeofoi
from the surprise OF their appearance they
had gone-vanished along the hlgh foao
leading inland.
The day passed away, and nothing what
ever of any importance occurred. Early
the next morning Father Andre appeared
at the chateau and asked for his young
mistress.
Blanche came down to him at once and
found him waiting in the salon. She
found that the servants had already in
formed him of what had taken place.
You have had narrow escape, my
child" be said. But, courage! Our
brave fellows are about, and we shall soon
exterminate these vipersl 1t is dangerous,
however, for you to remain here at the
chateau, which is so solitary. Come down
with me to the village and remain under
my protection.
But Blanche positively refused to go
away.
Il am quite safe here, Father Andre,
and l should not be happy in any other
place" :.
But the Uhlans-the internal Uhlans!'
pleaded the little priest. You do not
know them; they are without mercy-they
are fiercer than wild beasts. Up there at
Gravelotte they have fred farm. They
have hanged the innkeeper of Omer at his
own door, because, brave fellow, he fired
at them from his bedroom window"
Il am not afraid" answered Blanche.
After all, what the strange officer said
may be true; they do not make war on
women and children"
Il tell you, Mademoiselle Blanche, they
are fends of darkness!" cried Father An
,dIe; for that matter, they do not even re- e,
spect the lypfeclncts of the church, At
-a1 in tho Tot la
drall Oh, that the sacred walls would fall
in and crush them, the accursed! the
abominable!"
Finding Blanche determined, Father
Andre presently took his leave.
About midday sounds of heavy firing
we're heard from the far distance, but
later, as Blanche sat at the window OF the
drawing-room, looking out on the waning
woods, she saw a body of rihemen in the
French uniform approaching up the ave-
nue.. They halted and formed into groups
under the terrace, and presently old HUI
bert showed in two gentlemen-one a
young officer whom Blanche had never
seen before; the other middle-aged
man, also in uniform, whom she reco3-
nized as DR.. Huet, a surgeon in the
French army, and an old friend of her
fathers.
They saluted her respectfully, and in
formed her that they I'd passed that way
Oh the lookout for skirmishers of the enc
my, who were reported as having been
seen in the neighboring woods:
They are dar ng rascals, observed the
Doctor, especially those Uhlans. Hubert
tells me, mademoiselle, that you yourself
had an adventure with them the other
evening"
Blanche repeated her story, to the great
establishment of her hearers.
And they did not otherwise molest
you?" exclaimed the young officer. "Ah,
mademoiselle, you were fortunate. They
are not usually SO considerate.
AT any rate," said the Doctor, you
need be under no further apprehension
our fellows will be at hand for your pro-
lection But tell me, what rews of the
good Chevalier? When did you last hear
from him. mademoiselle?"
1T is nearly three weeks ago" said
Blanche, trembling, and turning her head
to hide her tears.
Doubtless his letters have niscarried;
If is SO difficult now to conduct corre-
spoadence. Had any misfortune befallen
him you would doubtless have heard.
You think SO, monsieur" CRED
Blanche, eagerly.
The gentlemen rose and took their de-
parture. Blanche stood at the window
watching the soldiers; while the young
officer, full of Juvenile Importance, stepped
out to JON them, and gave the word oi
command. They wheeled round, formed
and went away at trot into the woods.
"Ahal" cried old Hubert, who had en-.
tered unpreceived. and stood looking ovel
her shoulder. You see our brave lads
are ready, mademoiselle. They are goins
to scour the country; they are going tt
search every hole and corner where The
foxes may be hiding; and there Will be nc
quarter-nonei 1t will teach the cowardly
rascals to stop at home!"
Chuckling savagely, and rubbing hii
palms together he shuffied from the room
Toward afternoon the sharp crack O
rifles was heard from the direction of thu
village It was very struggling, and sooI
ceased About an hour later it begar
again, coming this time much nearer, til
it filled the woods Immediately surround
ing the house. Then Blanche heard, be
sides the sound of firing, the loud voice
of men, and, peering out, saw figures com
ing and going guns in hand, among th
distant trees.
Presently she saw one of the farm la
Dorers running bareLeaded toward the ch 4
teau, the door of which opened to receiv'
him.
A minute afterward Hubert ran into tn
room.
"Victory, mademoiselle!" he cried. sou
brave fellows have surprised body of thu
enemys cavalry and peppered them from
the woods. They have had their bellyful
/ warrant you, Many of them are dont
for. and the rest are scampering away
toward havre. But what are you doing?'
he added, nervously. For heavens sake
coma away from the window"
Scarcely needing what he said, Blanche
continued to gaze steadily at the group oi
men in the distance She saw that it was
composed partly of soldiers in uniform
partly of peasants in blouses; but some Of
the latter carried arms like the soldiers.
Presently there was movement among
them. and thres or four began walking IL
The direction Of the shotean; and as these