Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-03-10

every nlgger OF tnem, from Garcln down 70
Victor will sink their boats and burn
| their houses and leave them nothing-noth-
ing, the accursed Niger banditsr' This is
translating his language very mildly; for he
cursed horribly and swore as only'a reckless
old outlaw can. Forthwith he began prep
arations by calling together as secretly as
possible large number of his most trusted
and desperate men. He armed and manned
several small vessels and organized COM
pany to operate on land. His movements
were not so swift, however, nor yet so secret
that Garcin and his coadjutors failed to get
wind of them in due time. So it came to
pass that a battle was imminent in the
secluded little nook where Orton was find
ing so much to interest him so deeply and
to fill his Imagination withal.
Quite undisturbed by the evidence of
Garcin's preparations because utterly igno-
rant of their worst meaning, the young man
kept on with his sketching and his wander
ing in the woods, delighted when now and
again he was fortunate enough to have a
glimpse of Mile. Rochon, whose grace,
beauty and high bearing won upon him
rapidly, the more, perhaps on account of
the romantic and picturesque circumstances
surrounding her life. On but two occasions
did Orton see Rochon himself during that
| and then only momentarily, riding through
the woods at gallop, his huge form and
| grizzled hirsute face making him note
worthy object.
The days rapidly slipped past until Orton
had been at the Garcin place for nearly two
weeks, and never had he enjoyed soiourn
more keenly. The weather was superb, the
balmy luxury of a semi-tropical spring was
in the air and was making the woods rich
with color and fragrance. On the wide
marshes the tall grass was green and
brilliant as emerald, while the lazy bayou
crept through like thread of silver.
One evening after pleasant dinner with
Lalie and her mother, for Garcin had been
absent all day, Orton coaxed the girl into
the room where the spinet was and she
played and sang for him; but he could not
help seeing that she was unusually reserved
and quiet between songs.
what is the matter, Ma 'zelle Garcin?"
he inquired presently, "you are not un-
happy hope"
81 don't know what it is" she said, ''but
I ali the time feel that something evil is
going to happen soon."
"Oh, play something bright and cheerful,
sing really gay song and shake off your
dOlefulness, he lightly said, going to stand
beside her at the spinet. "Has your cat
been telling your fortune again?"
She made no answer, but drummed idly
on the keys. In a moment she looked up
quickly and demanded with sharp direct
ness:
"Were you at Rochon's place to-day"
"I was near there" he responded.
"Did you see the Ma'm'zelle?'
''Yes, Nam 'zelle."
"Do you see her every day when you are
out?''
Not every day; but why do you ask,
Nam zelle Garcin?"
II ell
fusion for a moment; then she recovered
herself and said with laugh, that in some
way was displeasing to Orton:
''Oh, supposed that you had fallen in
love with Ma M zelle Rochon; she is SO very
rich, grand and beautiful"
''No," said Orton, 81 am not in love with
her. She has never so much as spoken to
me. am in love with my art and my free
dom, Ma m 'zelle, and 1 have no room in my
heart for love of woman"
''Then why do you go looking around
there every day?" she demanded. "Are
you really trying to spy upon the doings of
Mo'sieu Rochon?"
Orton laughed; and yet he was by no
means pleased. Something in Lalie's man
ner rasped upon his temper, and he did not
like the look in her eyes. 1t was relief
that Garcin arrived Just then and came in
abruptly, evidently in avery nervous mood.
go tell your mother that she and you
must go at once. There's not moment of
time to spare-go!'
Lalie's face blanched in peculiarly ashen
way and she went out without word.
"Mo'sieu Orton," added Garcin, quickly,
there is going to be fighting here soon.
am sending the ladies away out of imme-
diate danger" Here he paused and hesi-
tated
"What is it? What is the trouble?" in
quired Orton, quite startled, but holding
himself calmly. Explain to me-"
Certainly" replied Garcin, "you shall
know. Old Rochon has called his men to-
gether and is coming to attack me. NY
men are not all here, but most of them are
We will give the old devil a hot welcome,
Mo'sieu Orton."
''This is strange" exclaimed the young
man, looking intently into Garcin's face.
81 don't understand the meaning OF such
work. What is the trouble-the cause
Of"
He was interrupted by the return of Lalie
accompanied by her mother and two or
three negresses, the last much excited, their
eyes rolling white and their teeth chattering
audibly.
you've brought this upon> yourself"
cried Nine. Garcin, addressing her
husband with almost brutal fierceness, you
wouldn't be satisfied with letting we'll
enough alone, but must go and interfere
with old Rochon. 1 hope you are salts
fed"
Garcin paid no apparent heed to this sharp
rebuke, but gave the woman at once to the
care of TWO dark men who had been waiting
at the door.
''Take them to the hummock," he said
with authority, "and Lazare, be back at
once; don't waits moment"
0rton could never forget the look that
Lalie cast upon him as she went through
the door, 1t was full of an indiscribable
yearning blent with an almost savage
despair. Her eyes were fearless, but the ex-
preston in them suggested more than tears
could possibly have done. Her lips trembled
strangely as she said: "Good bye Mo'sleu
Orton-au revoir."
Evidently she tried to speak lightly, but
she did not succeed. She clasped her father
in her arms and kissed his parchment cheek
with passionate tenderness.
Goodbye, Mo'sieu Orton," she cried
again and was gone.
There was very little ofmere sentimental
tY in Orton's nature, but in some way he
was deeply touched. moved, indeed, as he
had never before been moved. No time was
permitted him, however, for giving himself
over in the least to such feeling. All around
the sounds of body of armed men making
ready for fight broke the usual stiffness Of
the evening. This could not fail. to rouse
the chivalrous blood of the young advent
urer and thrill him to his inger-tips
"But what shall you do, Mo'sieu Orton?"
demanded Garcin, nervously. "You had
better go to the hummock with"
''Stop Garcin," said the young man stern
ly and laying a heavy hand on the little
foll chn cSr II ,a.k
an migrate nor coward. L will stand by
YOU to the last in in this matter; but Won