The indicator., 1894-12-29
That Winter Night.
CHAPTER /.
ny ROBERT BUCHANAN.

the month OF October, 1870, the Chew
alier de Gavrolles and his only daugh-
ter Blanche, beautiful young girl
between seventeen and eighteen years
OF age, attended service in the chapel
of Our Lady, in the little village of
Etretat, situated some ten or twelve
English miles from the seaport town
OF Havre, in Normandy.
There was scanty congregation,
consisting for the most part OF peasant
women, who, during the religious
ceremonies, whispered much among
themselves, and otherwise paid un-
usually little attention to the minis
trations Of Father Andre, the cure.
The service over, all seemed greatly
relieved, and pressed rapidly out into
the open air, to find the church-yard
thronged with eager groups OF vii
layers, who were excitedly discussing
news just communicated by telegraph
from the seat OF war.
The chevalier and his daughter were
almost the last to leave. As they
fingered in the porch they were joined
by Father Andre, who saluted them
with friendly respect.
Seen thus face to face. tho chevalier
and the little priest offered striking
contrast; for the former was tall,
powerfully built man of forty-five,
with erect military carriage, and a
face still preserving much OF the
freshness of youth; while the latter,
short, plump, and rotund, was we'll on
in the sixties. with head that
dropped between his shoulders, and
hair frosted over with silver rime.
bad news, chevalier!" cried Father
Andre, nodding pervously at the
groups in the church-yard. "You
have heard of coursep"
"Yes, father" was the reply; "the
Germans are rapidly advancing, and
we are soon to taste the horrors Of de-
feat in grim earnest"
AS he spoke, he glanced somewhat
wistfully at tho fair face OF the girl,
looking eagerly and wonderingly into
his-a spiritualized and softenod re-
iiection OF his own face, without the
lines left by time or sorrow.
Grim earnest, as you say!" cried
the little priest, with a pugnacious
toss OF the head. "But let them look
to it-let them take care; they may go
a step too far, these Germans. Our
bayonets will dig their graves, though
they were twenty times as many!"
The chevalier sighed as he re-
sponded:
AFTER all they are but paying an
old debt. We overran their country
uNt.TrIInnInp
"But it is different-it is widely
different. The great Napoleon-"
"Sowed desolation and misery far
and wide," interrupted the chevalier.
'.He was a great soldier, granted.
but a little man, father. We are
reaping now what he sowed before we
were born!"
Father Andre, perspiring violently,
uttered an angry exclamation; then,
conquering his excitement, he forced
a smile and added:
"Ah! but know-every one knows
you arc man OF peace! From the
first you have said we were in the
wrong. Well, it may be possible; but
our folly, If it were folly, was expiated
by the foolish emperor ut Sedan.
Now 1t is another affair. The coun-
try is in danger, chevalier. All true
men are Aocking to the standard of
our beloved France. l swear to you
that If were few years younger,
and did not wear this black coat, l
would be fighting at the front myself"
Once more the chevalier glanced
tenderly at his daughter, and his
grew troubled with some
inner pain.
"Will you dine with us tonight,
Father Andrea" he asked. 81 have
something very particular to say to
you"
MANY thanks, chevalier; will
come. ! must crave mademoiselle's
pardon a Thousand times, II l have
her with my warlike talk"
II am not frightened" answered
with gentle smile; .'only I
was thinking how terrible is war!
Why cannot men love one another
and remain at peaceP"
why, indeedp" echoed the cheval-
ier, almost to himself.
"Ah! mademoiselle is child; she
does not understand" exclaimed
Father Andre, eagerly. Sometimes
/ have thought these great cslamities
are punishment upon our people for
the wickedness OF these twenty years
of empire. Yes, chevalier; for grant
you the empire was corrupt! But to
overthrow the emperor was one thing;
to threaten the liberties OF France is
another. And as for those Germans,
they are barbarians-savages, who
know only one thing--the art of plum
der! 1t is just that they should re-
ceive lesson, and they shall receive
1t. 1t is guerre outrance, and our
brave Frenchmen will NOV them down
like wheat!"
"And their wives, their mothers,
and their little children, what OF
demanded the chevalier. "Ah,
father, they are husbands and fathers
like ourselves!"
The little priest gave an angry
snort. 1t was clear that he had no
patience with the point OF view which
regarded the enemy as unfortunate
fellow creatures. He would have
spoken volubly again, but tho cheval-
Ier, holding his daughter on his arm,
moved quickly down the churchyard.
Quitting the churchyart, the cheval-
Ter and his daughter took path
which led by circuitous route up to
the summit Of the sea-cliffs.
On the very summit Of the cliff, to
the right Of Etretat, looking seaward,
stands the tiny chapel of Notre Dame
DO Ia Garde Our Lady of Safety, the
ioor of which is open day and night,
and the altar OF which is hung with
al sorts OF rude votive offerings, made
by the fishermen and those who live
there. Hither father n,l dals.itsr
bent their footsteps. and presently
the little chapel, stood for a
lew minutes In meditation.