The Yale expositor. (Yale, St. Clair County, Mich.) 1894-current, 1895-03-08

TO slay A.e enemies OF our country?
The chevSlier, my master, has gone
TO do it; why should not I9"
"Ahl but that is different, Houzel.
My father is fighting in fair and open
battle he would not STAY an enemy
from behind tree"
The man blushed sheepishly and
looked down. He could not say what
was in his mind, or he would have
said. IL care for my country, but l
care more for you. These men have
made you shed tears, they have filed
your heart with sorrow; and for that |
would shoot them like dogs"
Although he was still a young man,
he was the girls senior by several
years, and all his life had been spent
in the forests OF Grandpre. His father
and grandfather before him had been
keepers OF the forest, and in the SER
vice of the De Gavrolles.
For the rest, he was handsome
fellow, and endowed with all the man
illness which comes of the occupation
of forester. He could have his pick
of the village beauties, but his heart
was entirely devoted to his young
mistress. Almost ever since he could
remember he had had the care of her;
for when she was quite little girl.
and rode forth mounted on her pony's
back to have q gallop through the
forest, she was intrusted to his charge;
for the chevalier would say with a
smile. Take care of her, Houzel; /
look to you to bring her safely back
home" And during those rides and
rambles, when HouZel had played the
guardian, Blanche, with her pretty,
artless ways, had taken captive the
young keepers heart, and had re-
tanned it. Thus, as she passed from
childhood and bloomed into a pale,
beautiful girl, his hopeless love deep
ened.
"Have you been into the village.
Houzel?" said Blanche creeping nearer
TO his side.
IL passed through the village in
search of YOU madcmoiselle. When |
heard that you had left the chateau, /
was in terror lest the Germans should
modest you. And now, my dear young
mistress, hasten" he added. Let us
90 into the shelter of the house. Do
not fear, | will see that you are safe"
"And poor Gaston," she said; she
can not be left here, Houzel. | should
like him to be carried home and buried
in the garden, close to the sun-dial."
Il will see you safe first, madem-
oiselle; then | will return for the
hound ana do as you wish. Gomez
He shouldered his gun and held
forth his arm. Blanche laid her hand
on it, ami the two walked away to-
gether.
They soon reached the chateau.
Their arrival was opportune; for the
servants, alarmed at the protracted
absence OF their mistress, had armed
themselves with torches, and, headed
, b. old Huh:--t, who was tremSiiag
with fear, were Preparing to set ont
in search of Blanche. With a low
bow to his mistress and a contemptu-
Gus look at the qhahing figure OF the
old butler, Houzcl turned from the
chateau to retrace his steps through
| the forest when the voice of his mis-
tress arrested him.
Would it not be better to go in the
morning, Houzel?" she said gently.
There may be danger for you now. "
The young fellow shrugged his
shoulders.
There is always danger when such
canaille are abroad" he said. "day-
light or moonlight, it is the same.
But do not fear for me, mademoiselle;
can protect myself" And lie pointed
to his gun.
Blanche shuddered.
"Be it so; but come to me, when you
return, that may know you are safe. p"
Flushed and elated, Houzel retraced
his steps along the road which ne and
Blanche had trodden. All was quiet
now. and the moon was shining
brightly. The hound lay where he
had fallen, and Houzel saw now what
he had not noticed before, white filmy
substance lying near the hound. He
lifted it up; it was Blanche's hand
kerchief, and it was still wet with her
! tears.
TTo BE CONTINUED.