Rocky Ford enterprise., 1895-01-31

lacked the courage 10 make 80 great
| sacrifice.
Hurriedlv descending, he made his
way to the terrace; but it was empty.
He inquired for Blanche and found
that she had left the chateau, and had
taken the path which led to the top
of the cliffs. Quickly following the
path he glanced on every hand for
Blanche; but she was nowhere to be
seen. After searching around the
woods in every direction, he was about
to return, thinking she might even
then be in one of the rooms at the
chateau, when suddenly he glanced
toward the open door of the little
chapel Of Our Lady, and saw Blanche
quietly Issuing from the porch.
AS she had not noticed him, he
drew back; for she was closely fol-
lowed by, and seemed in deep con-
They passed close by Hartmann; but
although he could not be seen by
them, he heard every word Of their
conversation. The hag-no other,
indeed, than she who was praying
before the altar, when, only few
weeks before, Blanche entered the
chapel by her fathers side-was talk
ing rapidly, kissing her words into
the young girls ear.
"You do well to pray for your
father" she said; "you, who even
now are tending one of his enemies!
What would he say if he knew that
while he was fighting down the ac-
| cursed Germans like wheat, his daugh-
ter was gently tending one, that he
might go forth again and Join our
| foesp"
"You do not understand, returned
Blanche. 81 have only done what my
father would have wished me to do"
If the chevalier had met him on
the field of battle, he would have cut
him down, as they have cut down my
sons. Yes, and if it had pleased the
good God to place him in my hands,
would have stabbed him to the heart,
as you should have done. and as all
good patriots would do! But, look
you, he is feted at the chateau, even
though the chevalier perhaps lies
slain by one of his accursed race!'
Uttering cry. Blanche covered her
ears with her hands, as If to shut out
the sound of the old woman's voice;
but the hag, nothing daunted, and
perhaps even pleased at the effect OF
her words, would have continued, but
at that moment the Uhlan came for
ward.
Fixing his eyes fiercely upon the old
woman, he bade her depart, then he
turned courteously to Blanche:
..Fraulein," he said, may have the
honor OF conducting you back to the
chateau or, II you wish to linger
abroad. may I linger with youp It is
not safe for you to wander abroad
alone; and though am your country's
enemy, may be able to protect you"
"She has cause for bitterness" said
Blanche, gently; "she has lost two
sonsI'
"And you, fraulein," returned the
soldier, tenderly, "might have lost a
father"'
The girl turned an agonized face to
his.
HAS my father then fallen, mon
sieurp" she said, in voice of such
suppressed agony that it. rent the
soldiers heart.
II trust not, fraulein; but he is at
the seat of war"
"For several nights now, 1 have
dreamed that my father was with me
not here at the chateau. but on
some lonely plain-and each time that
we have been together he has placed
his hand on my head and murmured,
God bless you, my poor Blanchen
And it seemed to me that he knew of
some great trouble that was coming to
me, and that he was sorry. What can
it mean, monsieurp Surely those
dreams do not foretel evil? II evil
should come to my father it would
kill me!''
And, losing for q moment her
habitual possession, she covered
her face with her hand and sobbed
bitterly.
The soldier waited until the vio-
lence of her grief had posed away;
then he said:
fro RE CoNTTNrrrD