The Yale expositor., 1895-03-29
That Winter Night.
BY ROBERT BUCnANAN.

reply.
..You are a true Frenchman," she
said, laughing. You hate the poor
gentleman, simply because he is a
stranger and German"
Eyes, mademoiselle; hate him and
all his race. Why does he linger
here? His wound is healed, he is
strong and well, yet he stays on"
"Only now you reminded me that
he was prisoner"
'He finds his prison pleasant,
mademoiselle," returned the keeper,
significantly. II do not think he
countrymen came to take him away"
Something in the tone more than in
the words, made Blanche flush an
grily. She was about to reply when
she saw the subject of their converse
ton approaching from the house. He
saluted her respectfully, and then
glanced curiously at Houzel.
''Our friend is still on guard, he
said. Unjust ask his permission to
wander few steps further from my
cageg"
The eyes of the two men met for a
moment; then, while Houzel turned
his head away and looked sullenly at
vacancy, the German again addressed
Blanche.
"You are my keeper, fraulein, he
said, smiling. MAY l ask you how
far my liberty extends?"
"You have given your word of hon
Il.
surely that is enough. l have told
Houzel that you will not try to es-
cape"
ION my honor, no." said the Ger
man, lightly. Il am well contented
to remain in so fair a prison"
He walked slowly toward the ave-
nue.. Houzel seized his gun and made
a movement as il to follow him and
turn him back, but at look from his
mistress he refrained. Then after
moments hesitation, Blanche followed
the German, who turned quickly on
hearing her footstep behind him.
'Do not go far, monsieur" she
said. 1.-The woods are dangerous,
and perhaps"
perhaps / have reason to dread a
stray shot from some overzealous
Frenchman? Well, l will take care.
But it is very good of you to take such
interest in one who is, by the fate of
war, your enemy; and / thank you
with all my heart"
He paused, looking into her face
with ill-concealed admiration. Never
had the lady of Grandpre looked
brighter and prettier. A soft rosy
flush lay upon her cheek, and her eyes
were full of gentle light.
''May | ask, monsieur"
"Ask anything. fraulein," he broke
in, gallantly, as she hesitated, land
be sure that will answer you"
ut is your name that would ask,
monsieur
Heinrich Won Hartmann. am
captain in the Uhlan cavalry. / see
you have heard OF us Uhlans-we
have bad name here in France; and
some of us, l grant you are ugly
fellows. For example, he who shot
your poor hound"
They walked slowly on, side by
side. CHANGING back over his shout
der, Hartman saw the keeper slowly
following, gun in hand.
"The Watchdog follows" he said,
laughing.
III have been writing letter this
morning." he said, after some mo-
ments. ut is possible that / am re-
turned among our list of dead, and if
so, there will be wet eyes in a little
German town where l was born. Do
you think, fraulein, that my letter
could be sent across the lines?"
Il cannot tell, !" answered Blanche !;
al will speak to DIR. Huet."
at Is not for myself / care,
fraulein," he continued, smiling
gently upon her; "and, indeed, have
been very fortunate. But my mother
and sister, poor souls, should not
suffer unnecessarily. | should like to
set their hearts at rest"
Perhaps, said Blanche, timidly,
''the war viii soon be over, and
then"
Tho war is only beginning fraulein.
Our armies will not halt until Paris is
taken. They are close upon the city
even now. You see it was foregone
conclusion from the first. Your en-
peror was blind, or he might have
known"
at is dreadful" cried the girl.
why should your people and mine
hate each other so muchp"
They are like children" returned
Hartmann, and do as they are taught.
II men would only think for them
selves there would DO no more war.
Bad rulers and bad teachers poison tho
air we breathe. And after all, what
is WARP A game in which no ono
gains, but all suffer alike-the poor
above all. It Is a horrible business
at the best"
How strange IL seemed TO Bianchel
In much tho same way, in almost the
very words, her father had spoken to