The Yale expositor., 1895-03-15

young officer, full of Juvenile import
ance, stepped out to join them and
gave the word of command. They
wheeled round, formed and went away
at trot into the woods.
Toward afternoon the sharp crack
of rifles was heard from the direction
of the village. 1t was very struggling
and soon ceased. About an hour later
it began again, coming this time much
nearer, till il filed the woods imme-
diately surrounding the house. Then
Blanche heard, beside the sound of
firing, the loud voices of men, and
peeping out, saw figures coming and
going, guns in hand, among the dis
tant trees. Presently she saw one of
the farm laborers running bareheaded
toward the chateau, The door of which
opened to receive him.
A minute later Hubert ran into the
room.
Victory, mademoiselle! he cried.
"Our brave fellows have surprised
body of the enemy's cavalry, and pep
pered them from the woods. They
have had their belly full. warrant
you! Many of them are done for, and
the rest are scampering away toward
Havre. But what are you doing?" he
added nervously. "For heavens sake,
| come away from the window"
Without needing his protestations,
Blanche Enclosed the windows which
opened to the ground, threw back the
shutters, and stepped out upon the
terrace. The sounds Of firing had
grown fainter, AMI she could see
through an opening in the trees, a
group of men gathered together about
a quarter of mile away.
"Mademoiselle, for heavens sake!m
cried the old man, still remaining in
the shelter of the room.
Hubert, go and see what has hap
pened! Run quickly and bring me
word"
"Go out into the woodsr cried HUI
bert, trembling like leaf. MAIDEN
oisellle, my place is here. will not
desert you, mademoiselle, so long as
you need protection"
"But it is all over now, as you say;
surely you are not afraid to venture?"
mo, mademoiselle, | am not afraid,
II am a Frenchman, and incapable
of fear; but l am unarmed-and you.
mademoiselle, are helpless. With
your permission, will remain with
you"
Scarcely needing what he said,
Blanche continued to gaze steadily
at the group of men in the distance.
She saw that it was composed partly
OF soldiers in uniform, partly of peas
ants in blouses; but some of the latter
carried arms like the soldiers.
Presently there was a movement
among them, and three or four began
walking in the direction of the
chateau; and as they came nearer
Blanche recognized among them the
young officer who had visited her dur
ing the afternoon. Without hesita-
ton she crossed the terrace and de-
seconded the flight of stone steps in
front OF the chateau. Hubert, the
picture of misery, followed close be-
hind her. She then crossed the
howergarden and met the officer as he
emerged from the plantations.
at is all over, mademoiselle!" he
cried, smiling. 1--WE have beaten
them!"
"Was ii battle, monsieur?" asked
Blanche, In her simplicity.
NAY, mademoiselle, only a little
! slzirmish. We sound party of Uhlans
accommodating in the outskirts oil
Grandpre, and Immediately attacked
J them. To do the villains justice, they
fought bravely; but we far excelled
, them in numbers, and, moreover, we
had the shelter of the woods, from
which we were able to pick them ofl
like crows"
"How horrible!" murmured Blanche.
, Horrible, mademoiselle?" cried
! Hubert. at is splendid! Is it not,
= monsieur
! "Silence, Hubert! said the girl
: angrily; then, again addressing the
: officer, she continued, Il hope, mon
? sieur, that there has not been much
; bloodshed?" Very little, / assure
you. Scarcely man has fallen or
! our side. though several have received
, slight wounds, to which Doctor Huet
is now busily attending. With the
enemy it is different they are almos,
, exterminated. One of their officers
is dead; the other is lying yonder
sharply wounded"
He pointed as he spoke, and Blanche
r saw the men approaching, headed by
: DR.. Huet, and carrying in their midst
, what looked like a rude litter. They
came on rapidly; and as they did so
she advanced to meet them.
"My dear mademoiselle" cried the
{ doctor, as they came face to face
| "what are you doing here? Pray
take my advice, and return to the
} chateau"
"But, doctor, l have heard
Blanche cried, "some one is wounded
--dyingy''
: "Only one of the enemy" answered
: the doctor, dryly. II have bound ny
his wound as well as possible.
where are you taking himp"
ITO one of your outhouses. It is
r freezing hard, and We could not lei
5 him die on the cold ground"