The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1861-10-09
inscription "B B" written by St John and erased by


The same was written upon my gate and genera
Allison's this morning." exclaimed Col Hartly. 81
must be pass word This man Victor St. John anC
his satellites must be WatcEedn
"But by whom?" asked Paul. t'All of our young mer
are with the armyat least all whoare able to oontcnd
with the skill cunning and courage Of Victor ST. John
Courage" cried Vale. 'He is a coward"
''You mistake" cried Hartly. Victor St John is nc
coward / have made man my study and declare tC
you that Victor St. Johns one of those men who never
court danger but when danger meets them are brave
to desperation. Is there no one fit to watch him?n
Il have it" said Paul Bendttois the man."
Too feble, said Vale, 'and base instrument tc
be employed by honorable men"
lie is younger and stronger than he appears con
tnued Paul. As for baseness-Rhy base to base, and
evil to evin
Right" said HartIy. 'who knows where we may
find this Benditto?"
81, i" answered Paul. "Let me call my daughter tc
keep an eye to my bar and will then lead you to
Bendttos dwelling. l have not full trust in Pierre
there
"You do wrong to expose SO fair daughter in such
place, remarked Hartly with that deep gravity which
commands immediate attention.
"Ah, what do you mean, Col Hartly. II sew Victor
St. John kiss his hand he left the saloon this evening
and to whom? To your daughter Rosetta, who was
peering through the door at the back Of the bar"
Paul Amar uttered cry Of rage.
''ls it 50? Ho, we must this affair at once
But Rosetta-did she respond?n
Col. Hartly paused for a moment and then replied:
81 a father, Paul, and would wish my friend to
warn me as gow warn you Rosetta threw back the
kiss"
''You saw herr"
''No-but saw her shadow upon the halEopen door"
Enough, cried Paul ''Wait here, gentlemen, until
l have seen my daughtet-5hadows are great traitors "
"He loves his daughter to madness, remarked Vale,
as Paul hastened away.
''True, and therefore | would save him from mad
ness said Col Hartly
And now let US follow Paul in search of his fair
daughter Rosetta.
CHAPTER II-ROsETTA.
Paul hurried up the narrow flight of stars that led to
the floor above, and placing the hand the knob of
the nearest door essayed to admit himsefinto the
beyond. But the door was locked
Rosetta he cred, striking the door firmly with his
fist. Rosetta, are you there? Rosetta, l say?n
No answer followed his impatient summons, but as he
glanced along the narrow nall, running from frent to
rear he his daughter approaching with hasy steps
The girl was of remarkable beauty both of form and
feature and had apparently scarcely reached her six
teenth year. Her complexion brilliantly fair with
a tinge of rose when uneXcited, but she met her
father deep red blush dyed her cheeks and then left
them deathly pale.
'Why is your door locked and where h2ve YOU been,
Roseta?" asked Paul in a voice that trembcd despite
his effort TO seem calm.
rs it locked" exclaimed Rosetta reganng her cool
ness as suddenly she had lost it. - locked it nyol
unfairly
"4Ah; and where were you but now, my child?"
AT the rear window, father listening to the music
of the departing troops. Where should have BEEN
VERY well. Let u gointoyour room. Ihaye some
thing to say to you"
But hear the people below calling your name,
father."
'Their wants will be attended to by Pierre Pierre
his business when am absent, and know
Iiajp al-,. Il tI,a
door
He followed her into the and tastefuy furnished
ROOM and then closed the door after him
light was burning upon a small table near the cen
tire of the apartment and Paul turned to close the
door, Rosetta hurried to the table and secured a small
golden locket which lying near an open letter
Knowing that the rustlmg of the letter would betray
her action if she attempted to snatch IT, up she threw
her handkerchief over it and down so further
conceal it by resting her beautiful arm upon the table
and across the handkerchief.
Paul trew a chair towards her and sat facing her
with volumes upon his tongue, but not word upon his
lips.
"Wen, father" said Rosetta, "you had something to
say to me"
Il have, my daughter. But first tell me-how many
lovers have vou?'
"Lovers! have score, laughed Rosetta, assuming
a gaiety she did not feel
81 have been miserabIy," though4 the puzzled Paul
whose blunt straightforward honesty was ill-ftted to
cope with maidens cunning especially such a cunning
little jade the handsome Rosetta II can never learn
anything in this way"
'What is it. father2 You have something upon YOUR
mind - said Rosetta.
"Haye you been at the barroom door this evening,
Roeta?" asked Paul. after cudgeug his brains in vain
attempt to ask shrewd question.
"Rosettas heart lcaped to her throat ard the glance
7f her jet black eyes her fathers face was rapid
as light.
"No father, | have not been out Of my room since
supper save to look from the window at the rear
"Now somebody has lied or another body has made
great mistake. thought Paul Still shadow belongs
o a substance
Then he said aloud.
"And where is Annette, the cooke"
"She left the house Immediately after supper. She
las yet returned replied Rosetta, who would have
net and ba1ed cunning with cunning, but who began
o feel uneasy before plain honesty.
''Surely, Col. Hartly made mistake rumnated
PAUL 81 afraid my child is trying to deceive me.
}omc must not be beaten by little girl like this IN
ant True, her mother more than match for me
Rosetta inherits all her mothers beauty, why not her
Wit"
''WelI, father?" asked Rosetta.
There a spice of defiant triumph in her voice, and
onest Paul began to grow exceedingly indignant. He
lad sought his daughter in the garb Of lion, and now
cit if he lookedike much inferior animal with ears
long
"Rosetta," he exclaimed, eve on the scent OF a
onspiracy."
"A conspiracy, my father?"
"a deep plot, which has for its object the sackng
nd destruction Of the city" continued Paul, warming
18th his subject "We-"
Whom do you mean by we?' demanded Rosetta
"Why, Col. Hartly monsieur Vale and exclaimed
he wine seller, triumphanty.
"Co. Hartly2 All, do not like that man
"He is a very good man. Rosetta, and has lovely
aughter, said Paul.