The state herald., 1895-01-11
That Winter Night.
ny hoBERr BUCHANAN

rCAAflEh lY-C CONTINUED. 8,
"'They arc In Rouen, mademoiselle!
They have cut the telegraph wires!
Lord deliver us!''
In these elements of alarm Blanche
did not think OF her self, nor of the
personal peril which might soon
threaten her; all her thought and care
was for her father. She prayed for
him necessarily. While all the dis
trict was in an uproar, and the chat
eau itself like u startled rookery,
with old Hubert wildly holding forth
and the female servants chattering in
terror. sho remained outwarlly calm,
seldom leaving the privacy OF her own
apartments. But ono cold, still after-
noon, when tho first autumnal frost
was on the ground, she left the chat
tau and walked out into the woods,
which looked beautiful Id the sere and
yellow leaf, Clad in simple dress of
black velvet, with an ivory cross, her
fathers, gift, suspended around her
neck, she seemed almost like a re-
ligeuse. Her only companion was an
old Norman deerhound, christened
"Gaston," after her father.
Aimlessly wandering. full Of her
own sad thoughts, she passed down to
the cliffs by the sea, and standing
near to the little chapel, looked down
on the village. A diligence had Just
come in, and an excited group was
gathered round 1t before tho inn door,
while people were moving to and fro
In all directions, some running. Then
CHANGING toward the church, she saw
Father Andre at the gate, conversing
with q man who, with excited ges-
lures, was eagerly pointing up the st.
Valery road.
The sun was sinking over the sea,
and inland the prospect was already
growing dark; yet she did not
hastcn her footsteps. though she now
turned hcr face in the direction of
home. Before she reached tho wicket
gate loading into the homo woods the
full moon had arisen, mingling its
bright beams with tho last faint rays
Of daylight
Suddenly she was startled by the
sound OF horses hoofs, and almost the
same moment she perceived two men
on horseback rapidly approaching
across the field. The moonlight struck
full upon them and flashed upon some
thing like glittering steel. She knew
at once that they were soldiers. for
their spurs iingled as they came, and
each OF them carried a long weapon
like a spear. Quick as thought she
drew back among the bushes, and
seizing the dog CASTOR by the collar,
made It lie down at her feet.
They wore Uhlans!
She knew them at once by their
dress and the spears they carried; for
pictures OF the wild cavalry wcro ia.
miliar to her from tho illustrated
journals. She had read and heard too.
OF the reckless dcviltry and cruelty OF
these mon. who, more than any other
portion OF the German army. had
awakened the superstitious horror OF
tho population.
Fortunately she was safely hidden.
and the strangers would have ridden
BY unsuspiciously had 1t not been for
the conduct OF the dog. In spite OF
her attempts to quiet him, CASTOR be.
gan to howl. show his teeth. and
struggle for escape; and suddenly. us
they passed the wicket-gatc, he tore
himself free, and lcaping from the
bushes. rushed fiercely at the horses
heels.
Utterly terrified, Blanche remained
In her hiding place, watching what
followed In trembling fascination. As
tho dog daried out, showing his teeth.
one OF the horscmen wheeled swift MS
lightning and covered him with u
pistol. There was Hash and re-
port and the poor animal lay dead on
the ground.
Crouching In the bushes. Blanche
fclt her heart swell with mingled hate
and horror. To her simple mind the
men seemed scarcely human. re-
scmb!ing rather the savage monsters
OF popular Imagination. They spoke
together for some moments; then. TO
her terror She saw the younger soldier
pointing eagerly TO tho place where
sho lay hidden. and saying something
which was received by his companion
with an incrcdulous shrug OF tho
shoulders. Then she heard the sharp
click OF pistol-lock. and simulta-
ncously saw tho elder man ride close
up to tho bushes. pistol In hand.
Something clearly attracted his at-
,cntIon. for no uttered loud OK
clnmation In German. ut the same
tmo pointing tn, weapon straight
toward tho hiding place OF tho UNI
lucky girl Tho other called TO him
lmpaticntly. ms II requesting him to
leave tho spot. but he was determined.
blanche. siill unsocn. looked straight
Into his cruel eyes. then unable 10
control herself my longer. md ready
TO face her fate. whatever II might 10.
she ropo 10 her feet, and. parting tho
bushes. stood erect before him. For
u moment her fate hung In tho bal.
anco; his finger was upon tho trigger
and he was In act 10 fire. But sud-
dcnly his companion uttered cry Of
warning md. riding quickly to his
side. placed hand upon his arm.
Take cnrc. vogcl!" no said. still
In German. at IL only u woman"
foes-and u Friend.
Knowing now that escape was i'm
possible. Blanche stepped out from