The weekly messenger. [volume] (St. Martinsville [i.e. St. Martinville] La.) 1886-1948, 1890-08-09

are still master here. Tomorrow you
will be a bcggar on the highroad yondcr.
and then we will see whether my terms
shall be acccded to or not. | give You
the acknowledgements on the one side.
opulcncc on the other: Alice as my wife.
Alice as Il bcggar on the highway. Choose
between the two. and let me know be-
fore tomorrow at ten o'clock, or the
sheriff will take possession Of Scdcwood
plantation"
He bowed again with sweeping ges-
turc, and striding down the steps of the
porch. walked toward Cypress Grove
plantation-thc next property below
Scdgewood-o which he was the owner.
Hardly had he disappeared, and Alice,
clasped in her fathers arms, was weeping
bitterly at the thought of their impend
ing fate, when Rice Williamson, the pro-
prictor of saw-mill three miles up
Scdgewood Creek, rode to the plan
tation house, dismounted, and perceiving
Alice and her father. walked toward the
porch.
They both started at the sound of his
footsteps, but there were tears in Alice's
eyes when she faced him. and Colonel
Burnett's lips were quivering with an
emotion he could not control.
Miss Alice. Colonel" cried Rice, and
he sprang toward them with q hand ex-
tended to each. You are distressed
in trouble. Tell me what is wrong"
For a moment old Col. Burnett hcsi-
tatcd, pride struggling for the mastery.
''Rice, he said ut last, ''yOu are the
only man in the world that would tell
my troubles to- For this girls sake | will
make you my c0nfidant. am in debt
heavily in debt Sedgewood is mort
gagged for more than it is worth, and Fe-
lix Cox holds the mortgages. To-mor
row he will forcclose. and we will be beg
gars unless" and here the old mans
voice ouivercd with emotion -''Alice be-
comes his wife. That he has stipulated
as the price of my redemption
"And you have consented" gasped
Rice. while his face grew ashen.
Never" cried the old man in a ring
ing voice.
Never" echoed Alice; and striding
forward she laid her head on Rice's
shoulder and twincd her arms about his
neck. ''Do you think that could sell
myself. dear heart, when / love you so
tenderly!"
NO" he answered. soberly.
And then turning to the colonel. he
asked for full particulars of the scheme
by means of which Felix Cox had Sc
cured mortgages on Sedeewood planta-
ton.
With bowed head and trembling voice
the old man confessed his weakness. A
love for cards had prompted him
to play with man who was
ten times his superior in skill
and craftiness. Night after night he had
lost, until at last all was gone, and he
was at the mercy of q nun who had no
mercy.
As the story progressed. Rice William
sons face grew stern and rigid, and his
lips were tightly compressed.
1T is wretchcd business" he said at
last; ''but you can vet be saved"
"How?" cried the old man; and his
face lighted up eagerly.
Il have some money on deposit at Ba
ton Rouge" said Williamson. 1t is Il
legacy left me some months ago by a
maiden aunt. You say the mortgage is
for twenty thousand dollars. l have
twenty-five thousand on deposit there.
This money is at your disposal to save
Sedgewood and your honor"
"God bless you!" was the old mans
fervent ejaculation and he grasped Rice's
hand fervently.
II do it for Alice's sake" added Rice,
lowering, his voice. But come, the
boat leaves in half an hour. We have
barely time to catch it at the landing.
You and Alice shall accompany me to the
CITY,"
And when we return" said the
colonel, recovering something of his
wontcd spirit, well have a grand we'd
ding at Scdgewood-eh, little girl?"
And he turned toward Alice, with q
gleeful laugh.
She blushed, and did not answer
nay. Rice Williamson walked down the
porch by her side, talking Of things that
he had not dared to speak of before that
day.
They were passengers. those three, that
night, on the Belle Creole, and reached
Baton Rouge. The money was drawn
from the Planters Bank. the mortgage
against Sedgwood plantation was salts
fed, and they took passage up the
river again on the City of Memphis.
Agents Of Felix Cox had apprised him
by telegraph of the move made against
him, and when he heard that Abel Bur
nett was no longer in mis- power, he
CRASHED his teeth, and strobe up and
down the wide hall at Cypress Grove with
bitter curses on his lips.
- But they shall not triumph" he
cried.
And hastily scrib5!ing telegram to