The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-09-23

but in late autumn the place looked desc.
late enough. The furniture within was
rude and simple, the floors Of coarse deal,
but in the recesses were large presses or
gardrobes of old oak which had been
there from time immemorial. In this
cottage had dwelt the Houzels, fathers
and sons, for several generations, but now
the Young keeper was it's only tenant.
Houzel regarded his Office with abund-
ant pride and guarded the preserves as
tendelly as if they were treasures OF gold.
When be did catch trespasser after game
be was sensible enough to take the law
into his own hands instead OF dragging
the offender before the Chevaller, who
would have dismissed him with slight
rebuke; so what the bad characters of the
neichborhood had to dread was not the
law and prison, but severe thrashing
from the forester and keeper, of whom,
indeed, they were thoroughly afraid.
The night after the meeting between
Blanche and the German. Houzel watched
the chateau till he found that every one
had retired to rest and then, with face
as black as thunder, strobe down to the
cottage. Entering, he threw aside bis
gun and sat down by the fire, where the
old man, his assistant, was already Sit
ting, cleaning a rusty fowling- piece.
We'll, master, what news?" asked the
old man, after long silence. You look
as if you had seen a ghost.
Il have seen the German" returned
Houzel, with an imprecation. He is still
there at the chateau; and, look you,
Mademoiselle Blanche treats him IS it be
were one of ourselves-a Frenchman!"
"Ah! that is bad, very bad!"
"Bad-it is Infamous! ! have a mind,
some of these days, to serve him as he
served mademoiselle's hound-to put 6
bullet through his hearth What think you
he said in my hearing, Andreas! That
mine was dog vocation. Well, he shall
find that the dog can bite.
These Germans are the devil, master,
said Andreas, servilely. They are eat
ing US up alive-locusts. And as soon at
one is slain there comes thousand; ano
every day it is growing worse.
Instead of replying Hsuzel rose and be-
gan pacing to and fro the glowing cham
Der.
mo word from the Chevalier?" asked
Apdreas presently.
Houzel- shook his head gloomily, while
the other added:
IF he has fallen, master, Mile. Blanche
will be an orphan. That will be bad, verI
bad"
Yes, you are right. She has only hel
father"
Let me see, muttered Andreas, glanc-
ing slyly at the other as he spoke. How
old is my young lady?"
"She is eighteen in January. The fftf
is her fete day. Yes, nearly eighteen
years DID,"
"Old enough to marry, MASTER" sug.
gested Andreas.
You are fool" said the young man in
tone so savage that the old man almos,
started from his seat. Who talks of mar.
rying? Mile. Blanche is q child. Per.
haps she will never marry.
yet, as you say, should anything hap
pen to the old Chevalier she will be alone.
bad, very bad!" murmured Andreas
in his pet phrase. She will have no one
to protect her"
@She will have mel" returned Houzel
in the former savage way. No harm will
come to her while am near"
Perfectly; out that is different. -,
you mean that I am not her equal?
demanded the young man; adding, while
the other coughed apologetically, We'll
you are right; l am her fathers servant
and hers. For the rest, she has no equal
in the world"
The conversation ended, and sullen
silence followed, which was not broken
till the old man rose, bade Houzel good.
night" and shuff1ed off to bed. .Houze
remained seated by the fire, staring gloom.
lily into the burning wood. The flame fel
upon him, suffusing his sunburnt face ant
neck with deeper red.
The German was right" he NUT
tered. 1T is dogs service, after all Wha,
am I better than her hound, that woult
run after her, obey her bidding, and licl
her hand? Well, that alone would con.
tent me; I ask no more. Yet when she
speaks to him, our enemy, she is changed
her face is different, and think some
times Pshaw! I am o fool for my
pains. I at least am Frenchman; he
one of the accursed vermin who are desc
lating France.
When day broke Houzel was at his pos
watching the chateau. Before the sui
was visible in the heavens Blanche CAM
forth and found him leaning against
tree, his eyes upon the terrace. Sh
smiled gently as he saluted her, and said
Here again, Houzel You are lik
my shadow, and wherever turn l fin'
YOU"
Your pardon, mademoiselle," he re
piled. Il am watching the German pris
oner."
Surely that does not concern you. Be
sides, he has given his parole"
Il do not trust him, =" was the gruf reply
"You are a true Frenchman." she said
laughing. You hate the poor gentleman
simply because he is stranger and a Ger
man"
He finds his prison pleasant, mademoi
selle," returned the keeper, significantly
Il do not think he would care to leave
even if his countrymen came to take hin
away"
Something in the tone, more than in tn
words, made Blanche flush angrily. Sh
was about to reply when she Saw the sub
ject of their conversation approaching fror
the house. He saluted her respectfully
| and then glanced curiously at Houzel
Our friend is still on guard" he said
Must I ask his permission to wander
few steps further from my cage?"
The eyes Of the two men met for mo
ment; then, while Houzel turned his hea
away and looked sullenly at vacancy, tn
German again addressed Blanche.
you are my jailer, fraulein," he said
smiling. May ask you how far my lib
.rty extends?"
You have given your word of honor
monsieur" she answered, and surely tha
| is enough. have told Houzel that yol
will not try to escape
1On my honor, no." said the German
lightly. Il nm we'll contented to remain
in so fair prison."
He walked slowly toward the avenue
Houzel seized his gun aud made a move