The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1889-03-19
Copyright by the Author.)
CHAPTER ".
CONTINUED.

Rochon, whose grace, beauty ana ii6h
bearing won upon him rapidly, the more,
perhaps, on account Of the romantic ana
picturesque circumstances surrounding
her life. On but two occasions did orion
see Rochon himself during that time, and
| then only momentarily, riding through
the woods at a gallop, his huge form and
| grizzled hirsute face making him a note
worthy object. -,
The days slipped rapidly past until
| Orion had been at the Garcin place for
nearly two weeks, and never had he en-
loved a 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 a
thread of silver.
One evening after a pleasant dinner
with Lalie and her mother, for Garcln
| had been absent all day, Orion 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 un-
usually reserved and quiet between songs.
"What is the matter, Ma'm'zelle Gar
cin?" he inquired presently, "you are
not unhappy 1 hope"
81 don't know what it is" she said,
"but I all the time feel that something
evil is going to happen soon"
ooh, play something bright and cheer
full, sing areally 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
directness:
"Were you at Rochon's place to-day?"
a was near there" he responded.
ibid you see the Ma'm'zelle ?"
eyes, Ma'm'zelle."
"Do you see her every day when you
are out?"
"Not every day; but why do you ask,
Ma'm'zelle Garcin?"
Her eyes fell and she flushed with con-
fusion for a moment; then she recovered
herself and said with a laugh that in some
way was displeaSing to Orion:
"Oh, l supposed that you had fallen in
love with Ma'm'zelle Rochon; she is so
very rich, grand and beautiful"
mo" said Orion, 81 am not in love
with her. She has never so much as
spoken to me. / am in love with my art
and my freedom, Ma'm'zelle, and l have
no room in my heart for love Of a wo-
man.
"Then why do you go looking around
there every day? 2" she demanded. Are
you really trying to spy upon the doings
of Mo'sieu Kochon?"
Orion 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 a relief
that Garcin arrived just then and came in
abruptly, evidently in a very nervous
mood. He strobe forward to Lalie and
without any preliminary greeting said:
"Go tell your mother that she and you
must 90 at once. There's not a moment
of time to spare; 60"
Lalie's face blanched in a peculiarly
ashen way and she went out without a
word.
"Mo'sieu Orton," added Garcin quickly,
" there is going to be fighting here soo
l I'M sending the ladies away out of i'm
mediate danger" Here he paused and
hesitated.
What is it? What is the trouble ?"
inquired Orton, quite startled but holding
himself calmly. Explain to me-"
Certainly" replied Garcin, "you shall
know. Old Rochon has called his men
together and is coming to attack me. NV
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
He was interrupted by the return of
Lalie accompanied by her mother and
two or three negresses, the last much ex-
cited, their eyes rolling white and their
teeth chattering audibly.
"Yo1've brought this upon yourself"
cried Nine. Garcin, addressing her hus-
band with almost brutal f~erceness, "you
wouldn't be satisfied with letting well
enough alone, but must go and interfere
with old Rochon. l hope you are salts
fed"
Garcin paid no apparent heed to this
sharp rebuke, but gave the women at
once to the care of two dark men who
had been waiting at the door.
"Take them to the hunmock," he said
with authority, "and, Lazare, be back at
once don't waste a moment"
Orion could never forget the look that
Lahe cast upon him as she went through
the door. 1t was full of an indescribable
yearnlng blent with an almost savage
despair. Her eyes were fearless, but the
expression in them suggested more than
tears could possibly have done. Her
ups tremb!ed strangely as she said:
Good bye Mo'sieu Orton-au r~evoirI'
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 tender
ness.
Goodbye, Mo'sieu Orton," she cried
again and was gone.
There was very little of mere sentiment