The National tribune., 1882-02-18

He turned 1rresolutely to Miss Page bowed,
and without speaking left the room, going inn
mediately down to the little steamer which Law
at the pier.
Hester went up to Louis. "You do not defend
yourself" she said, with queer choking in her
voice.
"No.n
"You did not even say that you were not
guilty?"
Their eyes met. There was long silence.
Noel put his hand up to his mouth uncertainty.
II can say nothing" He turned away.
She stood still, her clear eyes following him.
her unconscious fingers tearing the web she had
netted bit by bit. It fell in heap on the floor
She came to his side with little rush as Pere
Matthieu entered the room.
Il will speak for you then,' sliding her hand
into his arm. "Ah, Father congratulate us! [
have accepted Monsieur Noel. l must announce
our betrothal. 1t is our custom in the States"
The good Father was shocked at her want of
decorum Her cheeks burned, her eyes shone
with soft brilliancy. Come, GOMEZ" she cried.
I'VE may yet be in time to tell the news to our
friend James Wall. It will cheer him on his
voyage"
which overlooked the pier, on which a little
crowd had gathered. He held her back.
"You shall not blast your life for me! Why
do you do this?"
Because love you," she sobbed.
At that instant Wall, stepping from a little
bateau ON to the deck of the steamer, looked up.
He saw her clinging to Noel's arm started and
hastily drew back; the bateau rocked, overturn-
ed, and Wall with the Indian boatnan was strug-
Cling in the water. The Indian, who swan like
a fish, easily gained the land, but Wall was
washed helpless lump under the steamer, and
then drifted down into the black resistless cur
rent of the Saguenay.
Hester was gentle creature, but she certainly
did remember at that moment that the drowning
man was the only witness against Noel On the
contrary, Louis in an instant was his old self,
frantic with excitement shouting, kicking OF
his boots
Where are you going?" she said sharply
why, Wall cannot swim," he cried, plunging
into the rushing flood. Both men disappeared
in the night. The whole village gathered on the
pier, crying, swearing talking at once. Pere
Matthieu ordered out boats and went in one
himself, which presently brought both men
ashore. Louis was conscious and staggered to |
MS feet. They laid Wallis heavy body under |
5he trees and stood about it with their lanterns,
while Pere Matthew drew off his coat and put
lis ear to his breast
He is alive" he said. Garry him y
But Hester's keen eyes saw what no one else
lid. She swooped down on the PROSTATE body
ike a white bird on its prey. Stop" she cried
wildly, drawing something from his breast
Take witness all Of you that I take this from
lim. 1t is a package marked Louis Noel Five
thousand pounds Oh, Louis! Louis!"
Noel put his arm round her and led her away
Ter passionate love filed him with such new
leen joy that ne did not fully understand the
meaning of what had happened. When he did
lie only said humbly: "Then wronged father
Tod forgive me! Let US 60 to him, Hester"
He was eager to tell him that the American
irl of whom the old man was so fond had prom
sed to stay with them in Tadousac and be his
wife. Here surely was heaven opened
When James Wall, clothed and in his right
nind entered the pension an hour or two later,
e found the three together chattering and
aughing. They grew silent as he approached.
They tell me l owe you my life, Noel" he
aid hoarsely.
Louis turned away. 1t hurt him to see the
lan's humiliation. It did not hurt Hester one
7hit
Here is the money" she said, sweetly smiling,
apping the package. Monsieur Noel will him
elf transmit it to Montreal"
Wall looked into the soft taunting eyes one
reathless moment. Il did it for you, woman
e said, and turned away. I
Louis Noel never mentioned Wallis name after
nat day. But his wife often did, always adding, !
There was much good in that man after ALL"
CITY IN MID-AIR.