The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1861-10-09
She died but two Years ago

mead!
died. Rosetta my hair was as black as yoursnow it is
as grey as gloomy dawn in two wears more nv hair
will be as white as monsieur Valles Do YOU recolect
the last words your mother said to YOU Rosetta?"
Rosetta grew very pale. her ewes dropped and her
lips were closely compressed.
you remember, said Pgul taking his daughters tiny
hand in his "that Just before she died upon my BOSOM
she took your hand thus and made YOU swear to love
no man better than your father without your fathers
knowledge and always to speak the truth if not to all
yet to your lather-you remember this?'
81 remember it. murmured Rosetta
'Then answer me. Have YOU been down to the back
door Of the saloon this evening"" demanded Paul. not
sternly but with the sweet cadence of fond fathers
Worshipping love
Il have not" replied Rosetta firmly
Her voice was hard and hoarse and her hands were
as cold as ice
The soul is appalled, when the tongue utters delibe
rate lie!
''The name of the traitor 9e suspect-the name of
the traitor shall dcec-the name Of the traitor we
shall hang-is Victor St. Jon!o Numbered Paul with
sudden trceness.
s'Ah! Vatorln exclaimed Rosetta. sprneing to her
feet and claspng her hands in terror
The action barred the letter on the table and Paus
heavy hand upon it in an instant.
Ashegraspedt Rosetta shrickcd ana swooned, sinking
back into her chair with her head supported by the table
The golden locket she had concealed in her left hand
till then fell upon the floor and Paul raised il to the
''Fctor st. John, he groaned DIS Ire gazed upon the
picture it contained "Ah COL HartII I fear your
warning has come too late. Bat let read this letter
which is signed 'FictogP
The letter read as follows:
''My RosETrA:-Why so cow You Know my soul is
yours. Why refuse to meet me in private? Your ewes
your lips, have told me that you love me. and mine
have they not sworn the same to you9 Away with this
foolish mstrust my dear Rosetta What can you fear
from heart that adores you? Prove to me that you
love me by meeting me alone this night as the clock
strikes twelve on the Place D'Armes If YOU fail to
meet me will never see you again. If YOU consent
show light the rear window OF your house at eight
o'clock or give me sign fyou see me in the saloon at
half-past seven Ever thine .sVICroR"
:. "Thank heaven!' said Paul, as he gazed upon the
marbe-lRe beauty of his unhappy and unconscious
daughter Rosetta may still be saved-I have loved
gold too much since her mothers death / have neg
leced my chd-it is all my fault Poor Rosetta He
was using all his knowledge to restore her to conscious
ness; and he chafcd her hands and temples and lif
ted her upon her snowy white bed, he murmured
Poor girl | thought she was mere child and be-
hold she is woman 1t seems but Yeserlay when she
began to prattle-aud now what dreams Of love- what
womans thoughts have filed her poor heart She spoke
falsely-aasl who has nots-I must forgive her-she
knew no better-itis all my fault There-she breahes
again-she regives-she opens her eyes-Rosetta dear
darlng-uy poor child PARDON yopr father 1ny daugh-
ter-t is to save you from the snares of villain that
have done this haze read this letter NV child. The
father and not the daughter shall meet Victor St. john
oh my father do not harm him. cried Rosetta now
fully conscious All punish ne as YOU will but do not
iniure him"
You love him so much, my child?" asked Paul grow
ing very stern.
Rosetta sat up in the bed. and covered her bluslng
cheeks with her hands
ssYou blush NV daughter said Paul saud love
the sign He is hands0me-as manly A gentleman in
face and form as any IN America no doubt but in heart