The Yale expositor., 1895-03-01
CHAPTER II.
blanche.

1t was some minutes before Blanche
could realize the full significance OF
her fathers words; and even when
she did so, she did not weep and wall
in the manner of hysterical damsels.
Her father had not misestimated her
character; she possessed both courage
and self-control. Yet it would have
been seen, had the sunlight been shin
ing upon her, that the life-blood had
fed from her cheeks, leaving them
white and cold as marble, and that in
her eyes there was fixed expression
of utter horror and pain. Trembling
violently, she chung to her father, as
If she already felt the iron hand
which was about to snatch him from
her.
Father, you will not go! France
has thousands upon thousands of
soldiers, and ! have only you! Promise
me you will stay promise, and /
know you viii keep your word"
My word is already given" re-
piled the cbevalier, gently; land it
pledges me to accept service in the
defense of my country. My darling,
| have hesitated a long time in my
great love and care for you; but the
events of the last few days have de-
cided me, AMI If now delayed, l
should feel myself little better than a
miserable coward"
mo one would think you that" ex-
claimed Blanche. IAN the world
knows you are brave"
Il II. h - - -,
my own estimation. Blanche, there
are moments in the lives of nations,
as there are moments in the lives of
men. when life hangs lowering in the
balance, when the slightest thing may
decide the sufferers fate for good
or evil. One of these moments
has now come to France. Yes
Justly punished; to-day she is a
martyr, barbarously outraged. Would
you have your father stop here, use
less and despise1, while other men,
his countrymen, are sacrificing life
and fortune for their country's sake,
and when the sword of every true
Frenchman is needed to repulse the
invader and secure an honorable
peace?"
AS he spoke he clasped her in his
arms, and kissed her tenderly again
and again. Both were strongly moved;
both seemed to feel the shadow of an
eternal separation. But with a strong
effort the noble girl conquered her
agony before it could conquer her,
ami sought with all her power to
tighten the burden of her fathers sor-
row. Almost for the first time the
chevalier realized the full strength
and intensity of that tender nature.
The next morning when they met she
was calm and resigned, though very
pale. She had spent the greater part
OF the night in prayer, and sacred
strength had come TO her from the
divine source of all our smiles and
tears. Two days later came letters
from the administration accepting his
voluntary services, and bidding him to
repair at once to headquarters.
Quietly, almost calmly, Blanche saw
TO the preparations for his departure;
but on the last night before the separ-
alton the anguish became too much
for her, and she fairly broke down, and
sobbed upon his breast. Then taking
from her bosom a small golden medal
lion attached to slender golden chain,
she placed it in his hands. saying
"Father, see! 1t contains my
mothers portrait and mine. You will
wear it, will you not? Perhaps-God
knows!-it will be a charm to keep
you safe, to bring you back to me.
Oh, father, father!" she added, wildly,
"what shall do when you are gone
away?"
Trust in God, my darling" he an
swered. Then raising the medallion
to his lips, "Place it round my neck
with your own hands. So long as
am spared it will rest where you have
placed it; and if l fall"
"Ah, do not speak of it! God will
bring you safe back to me. All. yes,
dear father, have faith. He will not
part those who love each other SC
much"
He drew her softly to him, smooth
ing her hair with his hand and looking
into her eyes.
blanche, my child" he said, "dc
not let us be selfish in our sorrow; dc
not let us forget that ours is a com
mon misery, shared by thousands upor
thousands, not only here in France
but yonder in Germany, beyond the
Rhine. 1t is the curse of war thai
spares no man, and is cruelest to the
helpless and innocent. Even our enc
mics have children who live and pray
for them-remember that"
She looked at him in wonder, vague
ly understanding, yet scarcely realiz
ing, the largeness of his noble com
passion.
"Ah, my father, you are good. Ever
in your great sorrow you feel fol
others more than for yourself. Blu
all the world knows even Father
Andre has said it in the pulpit-om
enemies are monsters without pity ant
without love-"
"Nay. Blanche" he answered gen
fly, "they are only unfortunate mel
lilo nuraa1voa cnaolipn a diTarau-