San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1889-03-12

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betrothed lovers, it was because the father of
Laide would not give his consent.
No, Alcides knew none of this, and as soon
as he could conquer his timidity sufficiently
declared his desire to marry--if she would
have him-at once. The young girl, in
wardly battered, blushed deeply, but was
silent and seemed profoundly troubled.
"And will you do this, mademoiselleF' con-
tinued Alcides; IL love you so much; will
be good to you," and the marechal des logis,
trembling like child, bent his tall figure
above the chair upon which she still sat and
without response.
IL do not know" she said at LAST; lit
would be best to speak to my father"
The father, approached that same evening,
did not hesitate at all Selling in his own
rough palm the huge white glove that in
closed the hand Of the gendarme, he cried out
delightedly:
PAR exempeI you esk me thata If | will
give you my Laide, a good man like youl
Daniel NJ. Alcides, three daughters, or six
daughters if you willard l had them to
give your
"But that" bazarded the lover, modestly,
"that would be contrary to law-Mlle. Laide
will answer"
A month later the wedding took place, and
in the evening, after repast at which the
whole village assisted, NJ and Mime. Caste
bois departed for the little house of the gen.
darmerie, wreathed and decorated like
bower by the men of the detachment.
But at the very moment of inclosing them
selves in the little chamber where Alcides
had accumulated for his best beloved all tho
elegance and comfort that his fancy and his
purse could accomplish, word was brought
him that Antoine that devil of an Antoine.
was crossing the line with a pack full or to-
bacco.
"Whatl" roared Alcides, "a thousand mill
ion carabinesl but no chooses his time well,
the beggarp'
"Bah for once leave him alone" said
Laide land it may not be Antoine after all
The temptation was strong for the brave
soldier. he turned his eyes upon the little
white bed where Laide was already nesting
like pigeon. and was on the point of
yielding.
.'Eh benl no." he stiffened himself reso-
utely and moved away "Dutv before every
thing! Antoine, believing ne mtrrlet thinks
to run the high road with hnpunity. Let
him wait bitr
He angrily thrust his feet into his boots,
equipped himself quickly, and with kiss
upon the brow of his wife descended to join
his men. All night long, and his wedding
night, too, he sought the smuggler. but he
was truly the devil, that Antoinel Despite
the skillfulest strategy and the most furious
gallopings he was unable to catch up with
him, and was forced to content himself with
another body to body battle with bulldog
Etranne, who squarely and without the
slightest respect for justice planted his fangs
in the flesh of his hip. 1t is true that the
battle ended for Etranne in flight upon three
legs and wounded skull, but Alcides was
none the less in murderous humor when he
returned to his dwelling at the dawn of day.
This unlucky opening of married life, and
all through the fault of Antoine, but re-
doubled the rancor the gendarme bore him.
In vain did Laide make her gentle demand
upon her husband 20 forget his worries and
that wicked smuggler and to think only of
his little wife. 4 lcides promised for forms
sake because he was able to refuse her
nothing but he remained not less decided to
take upon the first occasion a decisive revenge
for his endless vexations and notifying dis
comtitures.
Six months passed away. six months that
would have been Paradise for the brave
marechal if from time to time he had not
seen in the cabaret of his father-in-law his
nightmare Antoine regarding him with
hooking smile Once even, on a Sunday, he
had surprised him talking to Laide in the
Kitchen corridor.
What was he saying to your he demanded
IF his wife, that clowng"
Begging me to get my father to furnish
him work. Smuggling" she added, laughing
L little, doesn't pay now; he wishes to re-
uounce it."
"Humphl" grumbled Alcides, yet withou
suspicion; "a beautiful resolution, but it
would astonish me greatly if he put it in
practice"
Indeed, it was hardly a week from then
when the chief of the customs sent him a COM
mand to arrest Antoine at once and on sight
This time he was sure of him. one of his COM
rades had squealed, and Antoine would pass
the frontier that very night about O'Clock
league and half from the village, and with
full and valuable load.
The eyes of AlcideS sparkled with pleasure
At last he was to be disembarrassed, and for a
long time to come of his pest At 10 pre-
cisely he took the road with his four men,
posting them from distance to distance, so
that Antoine would have no chance to escape.
That night was black and moonless, but
mild and perfumed. Spring was reawaken-
ing and a mellow langour pervaded all ma
ture. Alcides, pacing from side to side with
his horse well in hand, watched at the inter-
section Of the mountain path and thought Of
his wife, whom day by day he loved more
madly. Tears came to his eyes as he pictured
that darling little creature, who was his, all
his, and who was thinking of him doubtless,
below there in that tiny chamber.
The nightingale sang with abandon in the