Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1891-03-27
moisslle Claire Roman and the young
man, who forthwith became her devoted.

n
moiselle Claire Roman and the young
man, who forthwith became her devoted
lover.
Monsieur Roman, Claire's father, was a
wealthy trader, who, since the bursting
OF John Laws celebrated scheme, had
been one of the chief financiers of the
Louisiana colonies. At the time Of our
story he was sojourning for IN indefinite
time at Fort Rosalie, in tho interest of
some trading scheme, and had with him
his family, consisting of Madame Roman
and Claire.
The love which, like that described in
all good old romanccs, sprang up be-
tween these two young and exceptionally
endowed people was SO strong and evil
IDENTIFY SO genuine that no opposition to
it was offered by Clairc's parents. 1t was
love in wilderness, but the wilderness
was paradise of birds, flowers, warm
sunshine and balmy brcezes.
Claire Roman, by the sweetness and
kindness of her disposition, as we'll rs
by her rare beauty, had cndeared herself
to the garrison of Fort Rosalie and to all
the people dwelling near. Even the
Indians, sullcn and silent, who came to
trade with the whites, learned to love
her. The Sun himself became her friend,
and, although able to speak but little in
broken French, was always proud to cx-
change few pleasant words with her
whenever the opportunity offered. In.
deed, it was apparent that she had a
great influence over him. He called her
.'Sweet Violet" and often brought her
little presents, such as he would have
offered child.
Alphonse de Villiars was almost con-
stantly in Claire's company, SO free was
the life of that wild and remote place,
and it Glanced that the Sun often met
them together. At such times he in.
variably ignored the young mans pres
encc and treated Claire us if she had
been entirely alone. This treatment
CALLED tho Fronchman's pride and he
resented it with insult of which the Sun
took no perceptible notice.
"Are you dcaf2 Can't you hear n
gentleman when he addresses you2" ex-
claimed the young man one day, when
some civil words, meant to conciliatc the
Sun for Claire's sake, were received in
silence. 81 will make you speak, sir!"
and lie half drew his sword.
Tho Sun flashed quick glance upon
him and drew himself up defiantly, but
did not utter word.
Claire interfered at once, and the Sun
turned and walked majcstically away.
All this took place on bright Novem-
Der morning in the little street, which
was scarcely more than path, near the
rude but comfortable house temporarily
occupied as home by Monsieur Romans
family.
On the following night the Sun sent
out to each village OF his tribe an ennis
sary, bearing bundle of five slender
reeds, with secret orders to tho effect
that on the next and every succeeding
morning n reed should be removed.
When the fifth reed should be withdrawn
that was to serve as signal for q move
ment against the whites.
So quietly and secretly was this done,
that not suspicion was aroused at Fort
Rosalie.
On the fifth day the Sun came early
into the town. One by one aud two by
two the braves of his tribe, in accordance
with the secret arrangement, strolled
carelessly in, apparently unarmed, and
went about talking of traffic with the
traders of the garrison.
Claire and Alphonse dc Villars as
usual were together that morning seated
side by side on a rude bench under n tree
near the Roman house, enjoying (while
they told over and over again the tender
phrases of romantic love- all the sweets
of bird song, leaf-rustlc aud gently blow
ing wind. A hazy atmosphere, made
golden an0 dreamily soft by food of
tempered sunlight, shimmered over the
over the fort and surrounding village.
Suddenly q loud cry rang out from n
point neal the principal warehouse of the
post. 1t was the great SUMS voice {;
Claire recognized it at once. What
could it meant
From here, there and yondcr a hun
drcd wild shouts answered the signal,
and forthwith mighty tumult of clash
ing sounds arose from the fort.
There was no installing the significance
of the dreadful uoisc; massacre was at
hand-was already begun. Shots, heavy
crushing blows, groans and screams of
agony filled the air.
Indians were seen running in every
direction brandishing their weapons and
falling with deadly fury upon every
white man that they could find.
AT the first alarm Alphonsc sprang up
and drew his sword; but Glare threw her
arms about him and chung to him with
all the strength of her terrible emotion.
"Do not gol Oh, do not leave mel''
she cried. "Stay with me OF l shall
die!"
1t was enough to have wrung the
nerves of stronger than Claire, as the
demoniac yells and hoarsc EXPLANATIONS
of the savages were answered by the
shrieks and groans of their victims.
1t was apparent beyond doubt that the
whites were at the mercy of the savages.
Indeed, from where he stood, AL
phonsc de Villars could see that the work
of determination would be over in n few
moments. He hesitated, not from any
fnnIinnr of onxuor6;oo l,,t ,,,;t,, -, $780,