The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1889-03-05

piece for shot or ball, had a stock of some
rich, satin-like wood upon which was
carved the same snake design noticed by
Orion ON the feet of the spinet in the adj
Joining room, and its lock was a master
piece of engraving and modelling.
While they were looking at these
weapons, along with Somepistols, pouches
and q pair of rapiers, Orion became aware
that a third person had entered b room.
He heard the rustic of 3 dress and the
sound of a light football on the floor.
Looking up-his eyes met those OF a petite,
plump girl whose oval face was very dark
and whose lips were as red as cherries.
envy friend, Monsieur Orton-my
daughter Lalie," said Garcin as Orion
rose.
The girl dropped a quaint courtesy and
came forward to take the young mans
hand, a faint blush showing under the
dusk of her beautiful skin. She was not
more than fifteen, but she appeared quite
developed, one of those quick, warm
growths Of the South, soon to flower,
soonto fade. ~
"The gentleman is a very great artist,
Lalie, and he has come to live with us
awhile. Maybe he will make apicture OF
our house, our chateau" said Garcin,
gaily.
"They saw a ruin does well in a pic
fure." she responded, /" but I should think
that the Rochon place would be a better
subject. That is a very beautiful place."
%Yes, I saw it from the bay" said
Orion, ait must indeed be interesting.
By the way / saw the master of the place,
toe, and the young lady, what is her
name2"
"Fefcie Rochon, is her name" said the
girl quickly. " and she is very, very beau
tiful." H.
"Is she? I thought so, too, but she
was so far sway that I could not make
out her features very well. What a pretty
name 1T is, Felicie Rochon, don't you
think so.T He spoke to her as he would
have done to a child, care you &C
quainted with her 2" he added.
She blushed as she answered in the
negative, Though she spoke without con
fusion. .sf
owe are not friends, though not enc
mics, Monsieur Rochon and Z" said Gar
Gin, rather gravely. 1--WE have never
been :~over-sociable, nor have we ever,
quarrelled. You see how tbs"
OF course Orion did not see how it was;
but much as he would have liked to know
more he felt that it was out of the ques-
ton to make any further inquiries for the
present. The name of Felicie Roehon was
running through his mind like some haunt
ing strain of music and the vision of the
two striking figures standing forth on the
breezy bluff at Magnolia Point was still
firmly set in his memory, 1t was a pic
9ure whose impression grew deeper all
the time and whose colors increased in
richness and purity.
"Mo'sieu Gaspard Rochon is looked
upon with a little suspicion, just a little
suspicion, by some people, but I don't
know about It." said Garcin moving
rather nervously. "Some say he, ought
TO be taken in hand by the government,
but / don't know, to be sure. / could
not testify against him in the least"
Nothing conld have ~sharpened Orton's
interest more than this indirect tattle con-
corning Rochon, for it confirmed ina way
the romantic stories told by Victor, and
hung about the figures most in his mind
a thicker veil of mystery.
AT came in to tell you that luncheon is
ready for you" said the girl, going close
to her father and laying a,plump hand on
his thin muscular shoulder. Now for the
first time orion noticed how the dark
blood of Martinique had set an unnistak-
able seal onaI1 herfeatures. She looked up
at him quickly and, as if she had read his
thoughts, appeared to shrink a little, the
smile slipping from her lips leaving them
pouting and serious, while her eyes quiv-
cred and fell quickly. A moment later
she went and drew back a heavy, some
what faded curtain, showing the way to
a spaeious dining room in the log part Of
the house. Madame Garcin, a heavy,
commonplace woman of almost African
complexion, greeted them with profnse
politeness. She spoke very rapidly and
with a marked accent and a broadening
of all the vowel sounds
Orion glanced around to see the walls
of round pine logs hung with antlers and
ether trophies of the chase, guns, pistols, !
swords, knives, the wings and tails of
bright-feathered birds and q few -unim-
portant pictures, mostly shooting scenes.
Small art had been shown in the arrange
ments of these curious. ornaments, but the
effect was replete with a half barbaric
simplicity and strength. The two narrow
windows of the room were hung with
curtains of dressed buckskin upon whose
u gEnON ShvdA0 LOU NOEA W1OuS11I
simple but pleasing d~esigns$in embossed
need1ewOrk of blue silk. Above each was
a teal-skin with wings and neck outspread.
There were strong dashes of red, orange
and green, here and there, from the
feathers of p~aroquetes, jays, grosbeaks and
famingoes massedin odd places. The cell
ing was the roof itself made of heavy
boards of heart-pine, rich with resin. A
very simple luncheon was spread upon an
oval table in. the centre of the room.
Hard, sweat biscuits, thinly sliced dried
sVenison, preserved fruit, coffee and wine
were served In a leisurely way by a negro
girl whose head was bound with snowy
cotton cloth.
During the course of the repast, Orion
whose mind would wander back to dwell
upOE one subject inquired about the dis
tanee to Rochon place, and was surprised
mot q EfEIo uybop ~ 4ho on--~-oGs@-