The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-04-27
FATE OF LOUIS CAPDAU.
4 STORY OF EARLY DAYS IN LOUISIANA.
BY MaurioeTh-o Pson.
Don Manuel, on the other, were set against
her passion for Louis Capdau, so that she
knev not what to do

Don Manuel, on the other, were set against
her passion for Louis Capdau, so that she
knew not what to do.
As time passed on, the Chateau de Beret
was frequently invade by parties of brill.
liant people invited thither BY the master of
the place. Most of these were Spaniards,
and among them always Don Manuel, tall,
dark, handsome, graceful brilliant, but
with something in his dusky eyes and heavy
mouth that suggested cruelty and treachery.
No one ever knew how the whisper got
afioat, but in some way it came to be cur
ers had good reason for the mystery which
hung around their family history. Some
one, it was said. had discovered that they
had come from San Domingo, where they
were we'll known as of negro blood.
The scandal foated about for good while
Beret, who ut first was inclined to treat it
with contempt; but it grew day by day and
would not be lightly cast aside. Knowing
his daughters feelings, and secretly approx
ing them, though dreading an open rupture
with Don Manuel on account of his influ-
picked by the turn that this dark rumor was
giving to affairs. This perple1ity was ag-
gravated in the last degree by what took
place, when one day number of invited
guests arrived at the Chateau de Beret to
have 4 dinner and a .dance. Mile. Marie
was wreathed with flowers in honor of the
occasion. Don Manuel, whose vessel had
borne the guests by way of the river, looked
darker. handsomer, more strangely saturn
inc than ever before.
Louis Capdau arrived late, mounted on a
superbly caparisoned horse, handed his
bridle-rein to his groom, dismounted and
came slowly up the shell walk to the We
randa, whereon most of the company had
assembled to sip wine and enjoy the sweet
breeze flom the gulf. Marie blushed to see
how manly and handsome he was, how
strong his bearing, how noble the poise of
his large, finely turned head. how firm and
elastic his step, how steadfast and magnetic
his deep, dark ewes. She fancied that she
never before had noticed how dead-black.
closely curling and beautiful was his hair.
He DOTTED his hat as he came up the steps
of the veranda und saluted Rravely, but
with bright smile, the company, passing
into their midst with the confident grace of
one used to the best society.
Marie was proud of him. She felt ten
der glow suffuse her whole frame. and she
fairly trembled with the love she could not
She was aware of some strange expression,
some CLEAN of unusual significance in his
eyes and cheeks, an indescribable glimmer,
so to call it, about his firm mouth. He went
up to Don Manuel and spoke to him, sal
uting him gently. but not warmly.
The Spaniard folded his arms loftily, and
stepped back, saying:
II do not associate with mulattoes.''
The words were spoken in loud, clear
voice, causing everyone to turn and look
Some of them were barely quick enough
to see Louis Capdau slap Don Manuel il
the face. It was heavy blow with the
palm, the Spaniard reeled, almost fell before
| it.
Take that, liar, coward, villain! and that
and that and thatn' :"
Blow followed blow 80 rapidly; that nc
one could interfere.