The state herald., 1895-01-18
added nervously. "For heavens sake,
come awav from the windowin

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, and she could sec
through an opening In the trees,
group Of men gathered together dbdit
u quarter Of mile away.
i.Mademoiselle, for heavens sake!"
cried the old man, still remaining in
the shelter OF the room.
Hubert, go and sec what has hap
pened! Run quickly and bring me
word!"
iiGo Sut into the woods!n cried HUI
bert, trembling like d leaf. "N1dem-
S,..ssellle, my place is here. I will not
desert YOU, .l..cciselle, SO long as
you need protection"
"But it is all over now, as you say;
surely you are not afraid to ventureP"
"No, mademoisello, am not afraid,
IL am a Frenchman, and incapable
81 fear; hut am unarmed-and you,
mademoiselle, are helpless. With
your permission, will remain with
you"
Scarcely needing what he said,
Blanche 6Srttiuued to gaze steadily
at the group Of men nj Tire distance.
She saw that it was composed partly
OF soldiers in uniform, partly OF peas
ants In blouses; but some OF the latter
carried srms like the soldiers.
Presently tllere was q movement
among them, and three or four began
Walking in the direction of the
chateau; and as they esme nearer,
Blanche recognized among tliom the
young officer who had visited her DUR
ing the afternoon. Without hesits-
ton she crossed the terrace and do
scended tho fight Of stone steps in
front 81 the 6lid.eau Hubert, the
picture Of misery, followed cldss be-
hind her, She then crossed the
aowergarden and met tie officer as he
emerged, from the plantations. ....,
at Ia NIL over, mademoiselle!" he
cried, smiling. ave have beaten
them!" p, ia.- ..
WAS II a battle. monsieur9" asked
Blanche, ii, her simplicity.
NAY, mademoisdlio, only "a littlo
skirmish. We found u party OF Uhlafs
accommodating in the outskirts OF
Grsndpre. and immediately attacked
them. To do the Villains justice, thoy
fought bravely; but wo far exceilod
them III numbers, and, moreover, we
had the shelter Of the woods. from
which We were able to pick them of
like crows"
"lIow horrible!" murmured Blanche.
Horrible. mademoiselleP" cried
Hubert. at Is splendid! Is II not,
monsieurph
"Silence. Hubert! said tho girl.
angrily; then. again addressing the
officer. she continued, II hope, mon
| sieur, that, there. has not been much
bloodshedf" VERY little, assure
you. Scarcely u man has !a!lea m
our side, though several have received
slight wounds, to which DOCTOR Huet
is now busily attending. With the
enemy It is different; they arc almost
cxterminated. One Of their officers
is dead; the other IL lying yonder,
sharply wounded"
He pointed as he spoke, and Blanche
saw the mon. approaching, headed by
DIR. Huet, and carrying in their midst
what looked like rude litter. They
camo on rapidly; and US they did so,
she advanced to meet them.
my dear mademoscllc!" cried the
doctor, Us they came face TO face,
"wbat arc you doing hereP Prny
take my advice, and return to the
chateau"
.But, doctor, l have heard"
Blanche cried. "somc one is wounded
-dying!"
.Only one OF the enemy answered
the doctor, dryly. ii have bound up
his wound as well as possible"
Where are you taking hlmp"
10 one Of your outhousos. II Is
freezing hard, and we could not let
him die on the cold ground"
Scarcely knowing what she did. and
paying I'D Heed 10 the doctors inter-
position. Blanche pushed quickly by
him. and approaching tho group OF
soldiers, saw in their midst several
country fellows In blouscs. carrying
the prisoner. He lay upon rude
litter. or stretchcr. hurrlcdly con-
structed out OF n portion Of wooden
fence. As she drew near. they placed
him on the grass and drew aside.
The man lay upon his back, his
eyes half closed, his mouth partly