The Washington critic., 1886-11-12
EN- PAPILLOTE.


town of Napoleonville, on Bayou La
fourche, the narrow, dusty road that
luns beside the levee is made more
picturesque by dense hedge of the
Cherokee rose bordering it. This
hedge marks the front boundary Of
what was once Mons. Marcade's plan
tation. The old place was we'll known
all along the bayou. for the venerable
owner was called a progressive planter,
and had dabbled in new varieties of
sugar cane and late improvements in
manulat ture, until he had advanced
beyond the possibilities of agriculture,
and the plantation was knocked down
under the auctoneer's hammer to
New Orlo ans merchant to pay debts
In 1855 the place was one of the
most charming spots to visit In the
whole sugar belt The large mansion
was always open to visitors, and Mar
cade's hospitality was a byword
throughout the parish. The front
flower garden alone occupied some four
acres, and sweeping away to the
primeval forest In the rear broad cane
fields made up landscape that was
most pleasant to look upon. A grove
of pecan trees sheltered the big planta-
tion house from the rays Of the sum-
mer sun, and over to the left square
of dark green foliage showed where
the orange grove was situated. The
wealth of Mons. Marcade and beauti-
full daughter made his plantation
most desirable attraction for
the young people of that and neigh.
boring parishes, and there was hardly
week when the fair Jeanne had not
young lady visitor to spend day or
two with her. The young master Of
the place, st. Romes Marcadc, was not
behind in his hospitality, and, during
the winter particularly, after sugar.
making commenced, he had male
friend or two staying with him in his
comfortable bachelor quarters nearly
all the time.
During this particular November,
that of 1855, Mile. Jeanne was enter
tanning her bosom friend, Miss Holton,
from New Orleans, a young lady of
many accomplishments genial disposi-
tion and snug sum In the hands of
her uncle, who was her guardian. Both
girls had been in the convent together
and had there sworn eternal fidelity to
each other, vow which had for five
years remained as yet unbroken. They
discussed when together of evenings the
gay season Of the city, the carnival and
all the latest society talk, and when
they separated for the night their low.
ing embrace was almost touching to
see. Miss Holton's chamber adjoined
that of her young hostess, and long
long after they had re tired they kept
up their chatting through the open door
,nN
There was one subject, however, that
neither ever touched upon, and that
was George llavertield, the son of a
neighborlng planter, and now engaged
in business in New Orleans. Both
girls were decidedly in love with this
handsome young gentleman, although
they would not confess rs much to
themselves, and each had sort of ia.
tuition that such was the case. 1t had
been reported that he was engaged to
Jeanne Marcade, and his frequent
visits to the plantation seemed TO give
color to the rumor, and yet in the city
he was quite constant caller at the
Holton mansion on Esplanadc street.
So it was by a sort Of mutual under.
standing, neither had mentioned his
name during this visit of Miss Holton,
and even when St. Romea mentioned
at the dinner table that he had invited
IIavcrfield up for weeks hunting the
remark brought out no comment from
either of the girls.
Before breakfast each morning, nc.
companied by a trusty negro servant,
the young ladies took sharp gallop on
their frisky little Creole ponies and
their merry laughter, reckless riding
and exquisite beauty made them known
to all the inhabitants for miles down
the road. After breakfast came au
hours practice on the piano, and then
reading. So it was the days slipped
happily away, and Miss lIolton had been
there nearly week.
1t was a bright Thursday morning
and the atmosphere seemed pregnant
with the delicious perfume of newly
cut grasses tinctured with the faint
smell of boiling cane juice from the
sugar house. Miss lIoton was stand
ing alone on the front veranda looking
out upon the beautiful garden that lnv
at her feet, when she was somewhat
startled by tremulous touch on her
shoulder. Turning around, she WIS
surprised to see Jeanne, pale and agl.
tated. The color had left her cheeks
and her black eyes were unnaturaly
brilliant
In her right hand she held n piece of
paper, which she cleuched tightly. 1t
was creased, wrinklcd, and bore cvi.
denccs of having been through quite an
ordeal of twisting.
Miss liolton was moved by the cX.
cited appearance of her friend. She
felt that something serious had hap
pened, and was quick with her sym.
pathy. She turned toward the trem.
bling girl, intluiring; what is the
matter, Jeanney Tell me.
Jeanne raised her head loftily, and,
with sneer, thrust the paper almost
into Miss Holton's face. "Rcad dis,
han hask me what ees de mattairel
You himagine hi ham one simpleton!"
Surprised and taken ahNck by
Jeannes manner and words, Miss lIol.
ton for moment knew not what to
do. Then taking gently the scrap of
paper from the extended hand, she
smoothed it out. 1t was tOrnpiCce
of a letter, which had been written in
large round hand, The writing bore
evidence Of haste, yet 1t was easily de-
cipherablo. The few words on the
scrap ran thus;
FANS, Nov, 2, 1855.
ed my deepest affection.
am true,
never SO happy
bOVe all other
uTil