Rocky Ford enterprise., 1895-01-17

dow watching the soldiers; while the
young officer, full of juvenile import
ance, stepped out to join them and
wheeled round, formed and went away
at a trot into the woods.
Toward afternoon the sharp crack
of rifles was heard from the direction
Of the village. It was very struggling
and soon ceased. About an hour later
1t began again, coming this time much
nearer, till it filled the woods imme-
diately surrounding the house. Then
Blanche heard, beside the sound of
firing, the loud voices OF men, and
peeping out, saw figures coming and
going, guns in hand, among the dis
tant trees. Presently she saw one Of
the farm laborers running bareheaded
toward the chateau, The door Of which
opened to receive him.
A minute later Hubert ran into the
room.
"Victory, mademoiselle! he cried.
sour brave fellows have surprised q
body of the enemy's cavalry. and pep
pered them from the woods. They
have had their belly full. warrant
you! Many of them are done for, and
the rest are scampering away toward
Havre. But what are you doingp" he
added nervously. "For heavens sake,
come away from the window!"
Without needing his protestations,
Blanche unclosed the windows which
opened to the ground, threw back the
shutters, and stepped out upon the
terrace. The sounds of firing had
grown fainter, and she could see
through an opening in the trees, q
group of men gathered together about
q quarter Of mile away.
"Mademoiselle, for heavens saker'
cried the old man, still remaining in
the shelter of the room.
Hubert, go and see what has hap
pened! Run quickly and bring me
wordT'
"Go out into the woods!" cried HUI
bert, trembling like q leaf. "Madem-
oisellle, my place is here. will not
desert you, mademoiselle, SO long as
you need protection"
''But it is all over now, as you say;
surely you are not afraid to ventureP''
ssNo, mademoiselle, I am not afraid,
II am q Frenchman, and incapa BILE
of fear; but am unarmed-and you,
mademoiselle, are helpless. With
your permission, will remain with
you."
Scarcely needing what he said,
Blanche continued to gaze steadily
at the group of men in the distance.
She saw that it was composed partly
of soldiers in uniform, partly of peas
ants in blouses; but some of the latter
carried arms like the soldiers.
Presently there was q movement
among them, and three or four began
walking in the direction of the
chateau; and as they came nearer,
Blanche recognized among them the
young officer who had visited her dur
ing the afternoon. Without hesita-
ton she crossed the terrace and de-
scended the fight of stone steps in
front of the chateau. Hubert, the
picture Of misery, followed close be-
hind her. She then crossed the
flowergarden and met the officer ss he
emerged from the plantations.
"It is all over, mademoiselle!" he
cried, smiling. 1--WE have beaten
them!'
"Was 1t q battle, monsieurP" asked
Blanche, In her simplicity.
MAY, mademoiselle, only little
skirmish. We found party of Uhlans
accommodating in the outskirts of
Grandpre, and immediately attacked
them. To do the villains Justice, they
fought bravely; but we far e1oelled
them in numbers, and, moreover, we
had the shelter OF the woods, from
which we were able to pick them of
like crows"
..How horriblen murmured Blanche
s.Horrible, mademoisellep" cried
Hubert. at is splendid! Il 1t not,
monsieurP'
..Silence, Hubert! said the girl,
angrily; then, again addressing the
officer, she continued, II hope, mon
sieur, that there has not been much
bloodshedp" Every little, I assure
you. Scarcely a man has fallen on
our side. though several have received
slight wounds, to which Doctor Huet
is now busily attending. With the
enemy 1t is different; they are almost
exterminated. One Of their officers
is dead; the other is lying yonder,
Sharply wounded.
He pointed as he spoke, and Blanche
saw the men approaching. headed by
DR.. Huet. and carrying in their midst
what looked like q rude litter. They
came on rapidly; and as they did so,
she advanced to meet them.
..My dear mademoiselle!" cried the
doctor, as they came face to face,
what are you doing herep Pray
take my advice, and return to the
chateau"
..But, doctor, have heard, {"
Blanche cried, .some one is wounded
-dying!"
"Only one of the enemy" answered
the doctor, dryly. II have bound up
his wound as we'll as possible.
"Where are you taking himP"
ITO one Of your outhouses. II is
freezing hard, and we could not let
him die on the cold ground"
Scarcely knowing what she did. and
paying no heed to the doctors inter
Position, Blanche pushed quickly by
him. and approaching the group Of
soldiers, saw in their midst several
country fellows in blouses. carrying
the prisoner. He lay upon q rude