The Opelousas courier., 1892-02-13
vas that he wa a cadet from the Military

ticed, as he sprang from the pier, and
Rosa, having become unconscious, could
not describe his features.
The missing curl was commented upon
and the faces of all the cadets were
eagerly scanned by the pupils of the
Lake Institute, and the citizens, who
evinceda deep interest in the mysterious
affair, but yet an expression of innocence
rested upon every students face, and
gave no clue
Mr.. Vertner came to the Pass, and il
vain did he visit the academy and en-
deavor to find out the brave youth whs
had rescued his daughter from death 1t
was useless, and after a time it was
thought of only as a thing of the past.
Three years have passed since the in
ciients mentioned above, and from the
shores of the sunny Gulf the scene
changes to the banks of the Mississippi
River.
Riding slowly along the levee road are
two PERSONS lady and a gentleman
upon horseback.
Earnestly they are conversing togeth-
er, and then the maiden draws rein, and
rests her gloved hand upon her compan-
ions arm:
"Earl, here you must leave me, and
forever. 1t is hard to give you up, but
my father will never forgive and forget
the past, not even for my sake, as dearly
as he loves me. I cannot again meet
you. This morning he discovered our
secret meetings, and forbade me ever
again to see you; and upon your return
home you will find a bitter letter from
him, demanding my letters. You know
how dearly l love you, and yet you know
we must part. Goodbye, Earl, and
that God will protect you will ever be
my prayer"
As she thus spoke, bright tears rolled
down the beautiful face of Rosa Vertner.
Her companion said.
81 will not urge you to disobey your
father. Rosa. | have ever loved you since
as a little girl / used to see you dashing
about upon your pony. When at the Pass
1T school / loved you mSre dearly; and
how I blessed the kind fate that threw
us together, untrammeled by the pres
ence of u parents, when you came up
the river a year ago upon the steamer.
Then I felt that you controlled my life's
happiness, and dearly have / enjoyed our
stolen interviews. Now all is over. and
we must part. / will do as your father
asks me in his letter-return all you have
sent me. Rosa, my own darling, good
bye!!o
Thus the lovers parted, and while Rosa
returned to her fathers plantation, a
mile down the river, Earl Griffith leaped
his horse into a cotton field that bordered
the river bank and darted away in the
direction Of his own home, for death
had laid his own father in the grave and
he was master and owner of the large
estate.
Arriving at his door, a messenger from
the Vertner plantation awaited his ar.
rival and presented him with a letter.
Entering his sanctum he broke the
seal, and his brow darkened as he read
the contents.
"For her sake l will foroear, and for
her sake I will return her letters every
little manento of her love; yes. ALL"
A few moments after, the messenger
rode away, bearing in his hands a small
package addressed to "Mr. Branch
Vertner, Sunny Side Plantation"
Branch Vertner was pacing the broad
veranda that encircled his handsome
residence. c
A stern, naughty man, his brow was
darkly clouded, and his eyes wore an
angry expression, as ever and mon he
glanced down the avenue, as If in ex-
pectancy.
.Ha! at last! hope he has not
dared to refuse my demand; if So"
And he grasped the package held out to
him by the messenger.
Breaking the seal, he glanced over the
contents. The frown darkened, when
his face suddenly paled. The letters
and love trinkets fell to the floor as he
"What does this mean?"
In his hand he held a long silken curl,
flashing like golden strands in the light |
of the setting sun.
rs CPOh @ Snt0 uubthNl4OAs ~ 4CdN
"Rescued from the waves. Pass Chris
June 18th, Is
One moment he glanced at the card, /
mis- face changing, with the emotions that
.Gept over him, and then he called
but to the retreating messenger:
aRobert, come here!!'
The servant again advanced.
alMount your horse and return at once,
md quickly, to the Griffith Manor.
Present my best wishes to Mr., Earl Crit
it'll, and say that ! REQUEST the pleasure
seeing him Immediately at Sunny Side
olantationt'
eyes, sir"
And while the messenger started away
It full speed, Mr.. Vertner continued his
walk up and down the veranda.
An hour had not passed when Earl
rode up to the door, dismounted
| assembled the broad steps, wearing
lpon his face a puzzled expression at his
TRANCE aud unexpected to
sunny Side.
Advancing toward him, Branch Vert
Ter extended bis hand, while he said, il
firm voice:
Earl Griffith, | never believed that
or your race, would ever be invited
my threshold. Your package sent
ne this evening told me who it was that
aved my daughter life three years ago;
.ence | bury the Ratchet and offer my
and. You are a noble man, and / be-
eve will accept it, !
Thus the feud was settled, all animosi-
buried and the two families united
y the strongest ties; Gor Earl and Rosa
ERE married soon after and all this han.