Louisiana capitolian., 1879-12-06
The Death Charm

mounted upon two splendid ANIMALS,
with the easy grace ofequestrians ac-
customed to the saddle.
One was q maiden of scarcely more
than l6, with a fresh, lovely face and
form developing into perfection,
wearing a dark blue habit and u
slouch hat with heavy ostrich plume.
Gauntlet gloves incased her tiny
hands, while about her there WAS an
air of high breeding.
Her company was nearly double
her age, attired in the undress uni
form Of captain of cavalry. tie
was striking looking man, with Il
frank, fearless face that was very
fascinating.
That there was a love affair exist
ing between the two--young as was
the maiden-their glances indicated,
and the course of true love in their
case, seemed to be running smooth.
Presently they came upon a crowd
of men in the roadway. A youth lay
bound upon the ground his face pale
and bleeding, and above him bent a
half dozen rude fellows, talking in
angry tones.
Carter. What means this distur-
bance7'asked the maiden, sternly, ad-
dressing one Of the men.
The man touched his hat politely
and replied:
1T means, Miss Lulu, that we've
caught Tartar here, but we've got
him tied fast now.'
what has he been doing, Carter =
well, you see, Miss, saw him
coming out of the forest, where, you
know, yonr father allows no cunning,
and | called to him to stop and nc
paid no attention to me,so | called the
bows from the field and we gave chase
and caught him, though he fought
like q tiger
And have you dared attack man
in the public road, sir3 My father
shall hear of this at once, said Lulu
Sanford, angrily.
He's nothing but a gypsy, Miss,
from the camp over the hill yonder
sullenly said the man.
'Hc is a human being and was
doing no harm. Unbind him at once,
sir =
The young officer now sprang from
his horse and quickly released the
youth, who was secured with q rope,
and said kindly: Get up, my man,
and return to your camp
The youth turned his dark eyes
upon the speaker and said, family:
Il cannot, sir, am badly hurt
Shame on you, Carter! "a number
of burly men to beat a poor boy as
You have done! You shall suffer for
this, all of your cried the maiden, in
dignantly; and, as the men hung
their heads abashed, she continued:
Raise him IN your arms and carry
him at once to the mansion, while |
ride by and send DR.. Moore to see
him. Tell Jane to put him in a COM
Portable r00m.'
Anxious to redeem themselves in
the eyes of their employers daughter,
the men raised the youth in their
arms and bore him away, while Lulu
Sanford and her escort, Captain Fred
Delaney, galloped on after the physi-
clan.
An hour after the two rode up to
the door Of q very handsome man
sion surrounded by9 ornamental
grounds, flower gardens, and every
indication that those who dwelt there
were possessed of wealth and refined
taste.
AT the door an elderly gentleman
met them, who called out pleasantly:
well, Fred, am glad to see You
my boy. Richard told me you had
arrived this morning.
yes, colonel, l received sixty d4ys
furlough III and stopped to see you on
my way home and this afternoon
Miss Lulu and myself ran Off for q
ride replied the young officer.
'Aud ! am very glad we did, papa,
for found your overseer, Carter, and
FIVE of the hired men, had beaten
boy severely just because he did not
stop when commanded to- said Lulu.
yes, the doctor is now with the
poor boy and his father too. | fear
the youth is badly hurt, and Carter
and the men shall leave my place at
once, for the little fellow was doing no
harm, and his being gypsy is no
crime. But come into the house and
get ready for dinner, for have sur
prise for YOU
"A surprise for me, sir said Lulu
yes, ! have found a governess for
yol--one in every way competent to
teach you singing and instrumental
Il l.