The state herald., 1895-01-04
That Winter Night,
nY ROBERT BUCHANAN
CHAPTER t-CosrrSuEn.

SAAAA a 6S A-SoNhANpEps
"After all," he said, "the country
is in no immediate want Of soldiers;
and. as you say, mademoiselle your
daughter has only one natural protec.
tor. Perhaps you had hotter remain
OF homep"
while France does not lack SOL
diers, she is in urgent need Of good
officers. The war, unlike most wars,
is righteous one. In so far as 1t Is q
war Of defense only. Other noblemen
are making sacrifices, as you are
aware. II Is now my turn to tako my
place among the defenders OF my coun.
try"
Unable to restrain his enthusiasm
any longer, Father Andre reached out
his hand and grasped that of his en-
tertainer.
at is u noble determination!
Madomoiselle Blanche will offer no
obstacles, | am sure"
a do not think she will" returned
tho chevalicr, when | have made my
duty plain to her; for though she is a
child, she has rare courage.
"Ah! has she notP Why look you,
it has often sent my heart into my
mouth to see her ride dong tho sea-
wall. Do you remember, too, how
she swan out to sea last summer and
brought in little Pipot, the gardeners
son, when he was sinking for the last
time?"
"Mere Fcvereau, the housekecper,
is her old nurse. almost her foster
mother; she will never neglect her
charge. For the rest. you, old friend,
will look in from time TO time. to see
that oil goes well. Should she be low
spirited and anxious, you will comfort
her, will you not' And should Inever
return" Tears roso In his eyes; but
conquering his emotion, and brushing
the moisture away with his hand. he
proceeded "Should / never return
you will watch over her and protect
her Her worldly position will be &C.
curo-I have attended tu all that
and she will remain the mistress OF the
chateau"
"Nay, nay" cried the fries!, good
humoredly; "the good Col will bring
you safely back to madcmoiscllc. You
will kill few rascally Germans, and
return like hero when the war is
done!"
but you promise to do as have
asked you3 You accept the commits
sion US sacred trust?"
,ha,
Presently the priest rose to go; ~
the evening was well advanced, and
he was an early bird. Before depart
ing, he accompanied his host TO the
drawing-rocm. a large chamber fur
nished in the style OF Louis Quatorze,
and here they found Blanche all alone,
seated at the harmonium, and singing
one OF tho sweet old hymns once so
popular In Normandy. They entered
quietly and stood listening. When
tho hymn was finished, tho ohcvalier
bent over her and kissed her fondly.
81 shall tell her tonight" he whis-
pered to Father Andre, as they parted
at tho porch.
lie returned slowly In the drawing
room. and found that his daughter
had drawn back tho heavy window
curtains, and was gazing out upon tho
garden. flooded by the rays OF the
full moon. Tho moonlight crept in.
shone softly upon her face. and chung
round her tall, slight form like robe
OF magnetic brightness. Quietly and
silently the chevalier joined her In the
recess OF the oriel-window, and they
gazcd out upon the night together.
"Hubcrt says-he has just hoard /,
at tho farm-that there has bocn
another great battle. As ] was look
ing out was thinking-But what Is
the mp.ter, dear fatherP Arc you
cold2.
mo, my child; go on. You were
thinking"
IL was thinking how tho battle
field must look. with the peaceful
moonlight shining down upon 1t.
and lighting the faces OF tho dcad.
Ali how grateful should those be who
dwell In peace ut home, and never
look upon such sights us that! And
how grateful should | bo that have
my own dear father always with mo,
while so many daughters weep and
mourn'"
Tho chovallcr shivcrod ngaln M II
with cold. lie tried TO speak, bu,
could not find words. AZ last he
could bear tho suspense no longer.
Not withdrawing his hands, no looked
down upon tho face OF his daughter.
and said. In n low voice;
blanche. l have something TO say
to you-somcthing. my child. that
may cause you some surprise. md pcr-
haps u little pain. In few days, my
darling must leave you. and go upon
journey"
"Fathcr, what IL Up Something has
happened. Going upon II Journey
Where nro you goingp'
lie took hcr head between his two
trembling hands. and kissed her
gently on tho forehead. before he
replied;
ITO tho frontier, Blanche. Tho
country IN IN danger. md am going
TO take my place among the soldiers
OF France"
CHAPTER II.
Blanche.
II wns some minutes before Blanche
could realize tho full Significance OF
her fathers words; and oven whom
sho did 80. she did not weep and wall
In tho manner Of historical damscla.
IIor in,hcr hnd not miHostimntod her