Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-01-25

would be most welcome at a plantation
some thirty miles down the river. He took
the next boat reached his destination and
walked under the hot August sun to the
dilapidated old mansion that was now a
great hospital, crowded with poor whites
and blacks in every stage Of the fever.
His step upon the piazza brought from the
door great, gaunt creole; she knew him
not with his mature face and beard.
Before he could pronounce her name,
"Celestine," a frail, angelfaced woman
stood in the doorway, her lips parted, her
glorious eyes all aglow in recognition; no
change could hide that man from her.
He stood face to face with Adele Viegron
Their meeting was very calm, common
place, seemingly; life and death was in the
balance and the physician entered upon his
duties; the lover stood aside for a time.
Together they toiled; it was at odd
moments in weary days and nights that
they learned the truth and the treachery
of Louis; there was none of the light Joy Of
love in their new wooing, but it was all the
more sacred and sincere for its solemnity.
But at last Adele was seized; she had re-
fused to spare herself, and the destroyer
fastened his fangs upon her weak form.
Robinnette was almost exhausted with
toll, care and sorrow; more aid could not be
furnished him; Celestine was now his only
helper, nothing seemed to touch or tire her
rugged form.
1t was about the sixth day aftor Adele's
attack; she lay in stupor, the physician
watching her in anguish of love and
despair
The whistle of a boat was heard Celestine
hurried to the landing to receive any helpers
or supplies that might arrive.
1t was not many minutes before she re-
turned, her step almost joyous in its quick
ness, her eyes sparkling, but with a fierce
light.
"What is it, Celestine?" he asked.
at is one man, one dog of a man. and he
is bad with the fever. He shall die | am
glad of it! 1t is that assassin, that yellow
snakeI"
Robinnette called his one male aid.
There is a case just landed from the
boat" he said, have HIM carried to one
of the quarter houses and give him your
special care, Do not let Celestine near him !;
remember, she must not come near him"
Then he went into the room where his
loved one lay Through the long day and
night he sat there, the Creole woman
crouching near him.
Joy came in the morningl Adele awoke
to consciousness, and the practised eyes of
the watchers told them that the crisis was
past; she would live.
"If she had died ~ the doctor heard Co.
lestine hiss under her breath
Well" he said
81 should never wait then for the few er
to kill the yellow snake" she SAID and she
meant it.
1t was not many hours before Antony
was summoned to the side of Louis; the
stricken man was Mortified to find who an
swered his call for the chief medical au-
thority. Unusual dissipation with his po-
htical associates had undermined his
health and strength; in spite of his fear of
the fever, cupidity had forced him to make
one more attempt to have Adele sign papers
giving him full power over her property;
the disease had stricken him while on the
boat His weakness and superstitious fear
caused him to make a full confession OF all
his villainous acts and intentions. Two
hours later he was corpse.
Adele never knew all this; she is a happy
wife and mother now, Mrs. Robinnette
Celestine is very old and not much Of a
Christian, but jewel of nurse for Adele
and her children. ALEX DUKE BAuIR