The Yale expositor., 1895-03-15
CHAPTER V.
The Prisoner.

Next day Blanche heard full partic-
ulars of the events which had taken
place the previous evening. 1t turned
out that the inhabitants of the village,
while summing themselves at the
house-door that afternoon, and dis
cussing the position of affairs, 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 the surprise OF
their appearance, they had gone
vanished along the high-road leading
inland.
Then began the cry and clamor:
bells were rung, gendarmes rushed to
and fro; even the fishermen armed
themselves with whatever weapons
they could procure; while fearful
mothers clasped their children, and
timid maidens flocked into the church
to pray. Later on, party of Franc
Tireurs appeared and bivouacked in
the village, drinking freely at the ex-
pence of the peasantry, and vowing
dire vengeance against the enemy.
Thus far, however, there had been no
fighting; and the farmer of st. Leon,
riding down into the market place, in
formed the authorities that the
Uhlans, after entering his farm-yard
and selling a quantity OF forage and
livestock, had actually paid for what
they had taken-the market-price too
in coin e. the realm!
Blanche remained with old Hubert
and the gardener in the chateau.
The front door was barricaded, the
window-shutters carefully closed,
everything made secure against pos
sible attack from the enemy.
About midday sounds of heavy firing
we're heard from the far distance, but
lasted only for very short time. A
little later, as Blanche sat at the win
dow of the drawing-room, looking out
on the waning woods, she saw body
of rifemen in the French uniform APP
preaching up the avenue. They
halted and formed into groups under
the terrace, and presently old Hubert
showed in two gentlemen-one a
young officer whom Blanche had never
seen before; the other a middle-aged
man, also in uniform, whom she recog-
nized as DR.. Huet, surgeon in the
French army, and an old friend of her
fathers. They saluted her respect
fully, and informed her that they had
passed that way on the lookout for
skirmishers of the enemy, who were
reported as having been seen in the
neighboring woods.
"They are daring rascals," observed
the doctor, especially those Uhlans.
Hubert tells me, mademoiselle that
you yourself had an adventure with
them the other evening""
Blanche repeated her story, to the
great establishment of her hearers.
'And they did not otherwise modest
youP" exclaimed the young officer.
"Ah! mademoiselle, you were FORUM
ate. They are not usually SO consider
ate."
"At any rate" said the doctor,
"you need be under no apprehension
our fellows will be at hand for your
protection. But tell me, what news
of the good chevalierp When did you
last hear from him, mademoisellep
ut is nearly three weeks ago." said
Blanche, trembling, and turning her
head TO hide her tears.
Doubtless his letters have miscarried
1t is so difficult now to conduct cor
respondence. Had any misfortune be-
fallen him, you would doubtless have
heard"
"You think so, monsieur" cried
Blanche, eagerly.
There is no doubt OF it; so do not
distress yourself unnecessarily. In a
short time these troubles will be over,
and we shall all breathe again. Par
bleul the foolhardy Germans are dis
covering that they have come little
too far--that they have stepped into a
hornets nest They will soon be glad
to retreat upon the frontier, and then
we shall have peace"