Rocky Ford enterprise., 1895-01-24
self, a certain sense of aversion and
distrust. After all, he was German,
and the Germans were the enemies of
France.
CHAPTER VIII.
Tha Eorasf

CHAPTER VIII.
The Forester.
On the edge of the woods of Grand
pre-, not far from the spot where
Blanch de Gavrolles had first encoun-
tered the German officer, stood .
small one storied cottage, looking sea-
ward toward the cliffs. In this cot
tage had dwelt the Houzels, fathers
and sons, for several generations, but
now the young keeper was its only
tenant.
Moody and unpopular, partly on
account of his vocation-never a pop
ular one in any country-partly be-
cause he held his head too high and
prided himself on superior educa-
ton, Houzel dwelt in the cottage, his
only companion an old peasant who
assisted him as under-keeper.
The night after the meeting be-
tween Blanche and the German, Hou-
eel watched the chateau till he found
that every one had retired to rest,
and then, with face as black
as thunder, strobe down to the
cottage. Entering, he threw aside
his gun and sat down by the fire,
where the old man, his assistant, was
already sitting, cleaning rusty
flowling-piece.
"Well, master, what news?" asked
the old man after long silence.
"You look as II you had seen ghost"
81 have seen the erman," re-
turned Houzel, with an inprecation.
..He is still there at the chateau;
and, look You, Mademoiselle Blanche
treats him as If he were one of our
selves-a Frenchman!"
"Ah! that is bad, very bad!"
Instead of replying, Houzel rose and
began pacing to and from the glowing
chamber.
.No word from the che valierp'
asked Andreas presently.
Houzel shook his head gloomily,
while the other added: s'If he has
fallen, master, Mademoiselle Blanche
will be an orphan. That will be bad
very badr"
"Yes, you are right. She has only
her fatherP"
.sLet me see," muttered Andreas,
glancing slyly at the other as he
spoke. How old is my young ladyP'
''She is 18 in January. The fifth il
her fete day. Yes. nearly 1S years
old"
"Old enough to marry, master, y
suggested Andreas.
"You are fool!'' said the young
man in a tone SO savage that the old
man almost started from his seat.
"Who talks OF marryingP Mademoiselle
Banche is child. Perhaps she will
never marry"
..You are right" said Audreas.
..She is saint"
$50 to! She is the lady of Grand
pre-, and the chevalier's only child; nc
saint, but peerless young lady. Yet,
as you say, should anything happen
to the old chevalier she will be alone
"Bad, very bad!" murmured An
dreas, in his pet phrase. ''She will
have no one to protect her.
"She will have mel" returned
Houzel. in the former savage way.
No harm willcome to her while I an
near"
"Perfectly; but that is different"
"You mean that I am not her
equal?" demanded the young man
adding, while the other coughed apol-
ogetically, "Well, you are right; I am
her fathers servant, and hers. For
the rest, she has no equal in the
world!"
When day broke, Houzel was at his
post, watching the chateau. Before
the sun was visible in the heavens
Blanche came forth, and found him
leaning against tree, his eyes upon
the terrace. She smiled gently as he
saluted her, and said:
Here again, Houzel! You are like
my shadow, and wherever turn
find you"
"Your pardon, mademoiselle," he
replied. a am watching the German
prisoner"
"Surely that does not concern you
Besides he has given his parole"
TO BE CONTINUED.