Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1884-11-20

/ The tenderness faded out of the blue
eyes. They grew by turn perptexed
vacant, then cunning. "Ab, Louis
You want to find out my hiding places
/ TO store your money. Val Nal We
old people have our secrets, chr
clucking with his tongue.
/ Noel started up, "Oh, for Gods
sake You are my father BE a man
again Come back tins once TO save
me |"
/ A shadow of comprehension strug-
gled into the vacant face, like life
4 galvanized into corpse. Then it ditd
out. You frighten me- he said. Il
7 did not see the money"
Louis was no fool He saw how he
could shelter himself by leaving the
crime where it undoubtedly belonged
1t would probably be condoned as the
act of an imbecIle. He threw his
arms with a shudder around the old
man and reverently kissed the grey
head.
"Do not be frightened, father" he
said gently; nothing will harm
you"
A moment later Hester, hearing his
firm step without, rose. You have
found lt2n
'No.n
1 Noel, all his life vehement and
passionate, stood now quiet and res
olute, while Wall staggered uncer-
tainly.
you know the consequence Noel
You are accountable. ] can do moth
ing for you. | shall telegraph the
firn from Quebec and return to-mor-
row."
THE money said Louis, slowly,
may be forthcoming by that time. "
80 late repentance will hardly
save You, sneered Wall. IF it were
not for Freyteau / would order your
arrest at once" He turned irresolu-
tely to Miss Page, bowed, and without
speaking, left the room, going i'm
mediately down to the little steamer
which lay at the pier.
Hester went up to Louis "You do
not defend yourself, she said, with a
queer choking in her voice.
mo"
"You did not even say that you
were not guuJyF
Their eyes met There was long
silence. Noel put his hand up TO his
mouth uncertainty.
81 can say nothing He turned
away.
She STOOD still, her clear eyes fol-
lowed him, her unconscious fingers
tearing the web she had netted bit by
bit, 1t fell in a heap ON the floor.
She came TO his side with little rush
as Pere Matthew entered the room
II will speak for you" sliding her
hand into his arm. 'Ah, father
congratulate us! | have accepted
Noel. / must announce our betrothal.
1t is our custom in the states"
The good father was shocked at her
want of decorum. Her cheeks burn
ed, her eyes shone with soft brilliance.
Come, Gomez she cried, eve may
yet be- in time to tell the news to our
friend, James Wall. 1t will cheer
MIN on his voyage
She almost dragged Louis down tC
the garden whlch overlooked the pier,
on which little crowd had gathered
He held her back.
You shall not blast your life for
me Why do you do this9"
Because | love you, she sobbed.
at that instant Wall, stepping from
a little bateau on the deck of the
steamer, looked up. He saw her
clinging to Noel's arm, started and
hastily drew back the bateau rocked,
overturned, and Wall with the Indian
boatman was struggling in the water.
The Indian, who swan like a fish,
easily gained the land but Wall was
washed a helpless lump under the
steamer, aud then drifted down into
the black, reslstless current of the
Saguenay.
Hester was a 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 own 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 Matthew ordered out
boats and went ia one himself, which
presently brought both men ashore.
Louis was conscious and staggered to
his feet. They laid Walls heavy
body under the trees and stood about
it with their lanterns, while Pere
Matthew drew off his coat and put his
ear to his breast.
He is alive" he said. Carry him
-m
Bu Testers keen eye saw what no
one else did. She swooped down on
the PROSTATE body like white bird
on It's prey. Stop she cried wildly,
drawing something from his breast.
Take witness, all of you. that l take
this from him. 1t is package mark
ed Louis Noel. Five thousand
pounds Oh, Louis Louis y
Noel put ms arm around her and led
her away. Her passionate love filed
hun with such a new. keen lOV that