The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1861-10-16

It is the very first time ever thought of doing any
thing that might anger your father-but-well will
60"
"Then let US be off at once" cried Rosetta; "for
Benditto may tell US how to warn Victor"
81 care nohipgor him. thought Annette as Rosetta
prepared for the expedition 'All wish to know is
whether Pierre Ryart is really in love with me, and
what has become of those spoons"
81 am ready Annette" cried Rosetta, at length as
she completed her preparations by throwing heavy
Spanish veil over her face eve must go out by the
rear"
They left the room, and they hurried along the
hall heard tremUlous voices of the equenters of the
saoon which assured them that Pierre had his hands
full of business below.
mo one knows that we are going," said Rosetta
'sLet US haste"
They were soon upon the pavements and on their
way to Bendittos but they crossed of the prn
cpa streets to enter another less imposing horse
tached to a carriage passing rapidly stumbled and fell
Rosetta that she screamed and ran back to
the pavement she had just quilted Annette in her
terror fled and gained opposite side of the street.
where she paRsed mutterng prayers for the safety of
her mistress. The night was intensely dark but the
Of the driver raise his horse its feet and to whose
! assistance ran clad in uniform.
"Ah it is Fctor!' cried Rosetta, the light flashed
upon the mans face.
"Whose carriage is this? asked Victor forit was he
"Col Hartly'sn replied the driver touching his hat
| ''Is it you, captain st. John2"
Cuba. cried gentle voice from the carrsge, "open
the door"
MY dear Miss Yiola trust you are not injured
Be not alarmed-Cuba will soon have the horse upon
his feet again
Rosetta tried in vain to catch glimpse of the face
of the lady in the carriage but Vieors form in the
way and with her heart in her throat, Rosetta was
! forced to await the end of the scene.
/ "The horse is quite dead said the driver.
! "Ah what a misfortune cried the lady captain
st. John, what shall do? received note from my
friend Miss Allison telling that her mother was
suddenly stricken ILL., and imporng to visit her i'm
mediately, as her father and brother with the
ARMY"
"My life and services are ever at your command"
interrupted Victor, as bowng, he kissed her goved
hand. Rosetta heard the sound of the kiss, and her
Jealous placed tuot upon Viola Hartys hand but
upon her lips.
Ab he has been triAng with me, " thought Rosetta
/ "He loyes-he kisses Viola!'
"Bu what shall do, captain st. Jehn?' asked Viola
Withdrawing her hand quickly from Yctors passionate
clasp.
"HoneE me, Miss Viola, by accepting my escort
either to your home or to Gen. Aisons,' said Victor,
! in persuasive tones.
Evidently the young lady did like this conversa
ton proceed further in the dark for she cried
| "Cuba, bring of the lamps here, that may see
! how to place my foot upon the step"
/ While the driver, bewldered by the accident, made
several false attempts unastea Of the carriage
!
young lady replied:
Captain St. John! this is no time to speak of that
matter. Besides, gave you my final answer this
morning"
''YoG drive me to despair, Viola" said Victor, in
tone Of deep sadness.
He calls her Vola!o thought the unhappy Rosetta
"Ah, Bendto needs not to tell me that Victor IS per-
! fdous!n
Cuba! VIII you hurry?o exclaimed Viola, almost
frightened by the eagerness of passion which cleaned
/ .1,,,a ,V,1p He
alarmed she detected the fumes Of brandy reeking in
his breath.
"In second" cried Cuba, as he tore away the obsti-
nate lamp and hastened bis lady but not until Ro
setta who had drawn dangerously near, heard Victor
say:
Viola Hartly, you know madly love you-Ict me
hope that your answer is not final"
+ cit is final, sir and reject your protiered escort
Leave me- captain St john
"Cuba was now TOO close for Victor to venture more
than bow which Ee made and turned to depart, boil
ing with rage, when Col Harty and Mons Vale reached
the spot, they were on bheir way homeward.
'.Ah, my dear father, am so happy to meet YouG
Of her presence there. ''aSriedlv "9'
81 am much obli@al y captain St John for bis kind
ness said Col Hartlv in tone of icy haughtiness
and not deigning look at Victor he stood near
Il trust my daughter will be in unfortunate
situation be forced 10 ask captain St Johns aid in
anything"
''Why this insult, Col Hartly," demanded Victor
Are YOU really LiSuiltu. dShCu Nbl IafllY. L
my friend Mons. Vale, fail to insult you long
since But enough Of this We wish to captain st.
John at our house more"
''The loss will be yours and not mine retorted Vic
tor with great bitterness and then hurried away
speedily for Rosetta to address him. She would have
followed him, but feared to loose Annette who had re-
gained her side.
Come " whispered Annette 'The patrol is coming
this way-you know the city is under martial law"
Il have not seen her-this Viola Hardy" replied
Rosetta, whose heart though greatly wounded took
much consolation in the thought that her athess lover
not loved by Viola. 81 must see if she is as beau
tfu as report says she isfpr, in truth have never
seen her at a distance"
But Annette forced her away, and when Rosetta said
that she had no need of fortUneelIer, replied:
"What fckliness What is Viola Hartly or Viola
Anybody to you? Since have been terribly scared,
by my faith, I'd feel like fool to go home without
learning what has become of those spoons! Besides
have the password, and dent fear the patrol"
Rosetta half stupefed, made nc further resistance
CHAPTER Iy-THE vEILED PORTRAITS.
In the meantime Benditto had reached his home, to-
wards which he had directed his steps Immediately after
leaving the saloon.
While on his way thther, he dexterousy avoided the
various patrols in his path and instead of walking
feeby, became one of hsapparent age and intirm-
tiles sped along with rapid steps. firm though nOiseless
until he reached quarter of the city quite remote from
the saloon
The house in which he lived was an olI-fashioned
wostofed edice, built of stone and plaster many years
before, when Louisiana belonged Spain. lie entered
this house by aeyway that admitted him to the rear
and which led to a strong and ron-bound door, fitted
into the solid wall Closing and locking this after his
hasty entrance, he hurried to a small apartment in the
front, and upon the ground floor, shouting;
"Mario are you awake, Maro?"
The figure OF man lying upon couch, and dimly
seen by the dying rays of feeble burning lamp
at the summons, and replied:
81 awake, Benditto."
"Then let US have more light, Mario. l have found
him. Mario! have discovered hmw exclaimed Ben
ditto.
Mario uttered cry of JOY, and hastily trimmed the
lamp AS its reshened rays shot forth they radiance
Paul Amar, had he been there, would have imagined
himself in the presence of two Bendittos for Mario
the exact counterpart of Benaitto in the saoon the
exact mmage of Mario in the house of the fcrtUneeler
But these two stood facing each other this
could have perceived that Benditto no |
longer stopped and trembled with age, though quiver
ing with excitement while Marios stoop was unfegned
lyon are certain of this, Bendtto?"
81 am certain Of it. We have sought him these ff- /
teen years. Marioon land and sea- cities towns and
fanced we saw heard of trace
You have sought him by day. and by night. Mario I
have found hm!"
"Does be still live, Bendito? Did you not drive your