The state herald., 1895-01-18
CHATTER V.
Tho Prisoner.

OF the man VINO killed. hlml'
CHATTER V.
Tho Prisoner.
Next day Blanche heard full partic-
nlars of the events which had taken
place the previous evening. 1t turned
out that the inhabitants Of the village,
while summing themselves ai the
house-door. that afternoon, and dis
cussing the position OF arairsi had
suddenly been startled by the appear
ance OF six mounted Uhlans, in full
warlike array, riding quietly up the
main street. Almost before any one
could recover from tho surprise of
their appearance, they had gone
vanished along tho high-road leading
Inland
Then began the cry and. clamcr;
bells were rung, gendarmes rushed to
and fro; even the fishermen armed
themselves with whatever weapons
they could procure; while fearful
mothers claspel their children, and
timid maidehs locked into the church
TO pray. Later on, u party OF Franc
Tireurs appeared and biyouached in
the village, drinking freely at the cx-
pence OF the peasantry, and vowing
dire vengeance against the enemy.
Thus far, however, there hind boen no
lighting; and the farmer of St. Leon,
riding down into the market place, in
formed the authorities that the
uhlans, after entering his farm-yarl
and scizing quantity Of forage and
livestock. had actually paid for what
they had taken-the niarket-pfice too
in coin of the realm!
Blanche remained with old Hubert
and the gardener in the chateau.
The front door was barricadci. tho
window-shutters carefully closed.
everything made secure sgainst pos.
sible attack from the enemy.
About midday sounds OF heavy firing
were heard from the far distance. but
lasted only for very short time. A
little later, rs Blanche sat at the win
dow OF the drawing-room. looking out
on the waning woods. she saw a body
OF ritiemen in the French uniform mp
proaching up tho avenue. They
halted and formed into groups under
the terrace, and presently old Hubert
showed in two gentlcmen-on n
young officer whom Blanche hal never
seen before; the other a middlc-agcd
man, also in uniform. whom she recog.
nized ms DIR. Huet, u surgeon In the
French army, and an old friend OF her
guthnrfa fThAt, Gat,,t.l hos.
fully. and informed her that they had
passed that way ON the lookout for
skirmishers OF the enemy. who were
reported us having been seen In the
neighboring woods.
They are daring rascals," observed
the doctor. respectfully those Uhlans.
Hubert tells me, mademoisclla that
you yourself had an adventure with
them the other evening"
Blanche repeated her story. TO tho
great astonishment OF her hearers.
"And they did not otherwise modest
youP" exclaimed the young officer.
"Ah' mademoiscllc, YOU were FORUM
ate. They are not usually so consider
ate"
"At any ratc.n said tho doctor.
'you need be under no apprehension;
our fellows will DO at hand for your
protection. But tell mo, what news
Of the good ohoyalicrp When did you
last hear from him. mndomoiscilcYn
at is nearly three weeks ago." said
Blanche. trembling. and turning her
head TO hide her toars.
"Doubtlcss his letters havo mlscarried
II is NO difficult now to conduct u cor
rcspondenco. Had any misfortune bc-
fallen him. you would doubtless have
hoard"
"You think NO. monsiourPn cried
Blnncho. eagerly.
There is no doubt Of IL; NO do not
distress yourself unnecessarily. In .
short time these troubles will 10 over,
ind We shall nil breathe again. Par
blcu' the foolhardy Germans nro dis
covering that thcy have come little
too far-,hat they have stepped Into
hornets nest. They will soon DO glad
to rctrcat upon tho frontier. aud then
We shall havo peace"
Tho gentlemen roso md took thcir
departure. Blanche stood nj tho win
dow watching the soldiers. while the
young oI,lccr, full OF juvenile Import.
nnoc. stepped out 10 join them aud
gayo the word OF command. They
wheeled round. formed aud went away
at trot Into the woods.
Toward afternoon tho sharp crack
Of rincs was heard from tho direction
Of the village. II was very struggling
md soon ceased About mn hour later
II began again, coming this time much
nearer. TIL II filled tho woods immo-
din,cly surrounding tho house. Then
Blanche heard. beside the sound OF
firing, tho loud voices Of mon. and
pecping out, saw figures coming and
going. guns In hand. among the dis.
tant trees. Presently sho saw ono of
tho farm laborcrs running barchcadod
toward tho chatnnu. ,hc door Of which
opened 20 receive him.
A minute ln'rr Hubert ran into tho
room,
"victory. inadcmolscllol" hc cried.
"Our brave follows have surprised n
body Of the cncmy's cavalry. aud pop.
pcrod thom from the woods. They
have had ihoir belly full warrant
you'll Many OF them ARC done for, aud
Ita ,ast aa. s.a,......l... ....s... IA