The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1892-12-17

of men including Melanie's uncle, put
of in a larger boat after the runaways,
following the same course they had
taken.
The pursuers did not make such
progress, as their Ioat was rather
unwieldy and harder to manage.
Still they rowed on, and after a while
sighted Poi5na, where they likewise
decided to stop and rest hold II
council, etc They were SO sure of
coming up with those they sought.
whose capture would only be a ques-
ton of Il few houts, that they were
not as careful as they might have been.
Perhaps they were W that II
the Stiffness OF night, the human voice
can be heard Il long way Oyer water.
1t maybe also, such precautions we're
deemed supert1uous III regard o tile
young people.
G~ustave still on guard and listening
intentiy, caught the sound OF voices,
then the dip of oars. Imagine his I'M
easiness, When he saw the ouconing
boat. head for the island. Hastily he
warned Meianie Of this close proximity
Of their pursuers, and besoueht her to
couraseously trust to him ; he tod
her to hold herself III readiness TO de-
part at a moments notice If need be.
There was no need to warn Melanie
to keep silence, She conld only wait in
fear and trembling the outcome It
would he terrible to be torn from the
II she loved best, and forced to an
uncongenial home.
Gustave once more took his station,
where lie could perceive without being
seen. The new corners effected a
landing, and fsom their ensuing con
gathered, that a wait would be made
there until day light, not far away.
| think it strange no search was
made on the island, Immediately, but
the heavy underground precluded
such IA thing at the time, luckily for
the pursued. All OF the searching
party seemed to incline towards the
Idea that tAe two, would be obliged to
stop at a point OF land further on, for
a needed rest. 1T vas not possible for
it to be any other way.
Overjoyed that his ennelnies were
lulied into such a belief, Gustave
decided for action it would not do,
he thought, tor them to get the start OF
HIM. Making no sound he gained thu
sheltered spot, where he had placed
Melanie ; he found her waiting, pale,
but composed. Taking her small
hand into his own large palm, he led
her to their friendly little conveyance.
1t happened to be below that of she
last corners, which made it easier, he
thought, for his love and himself to
go away Their places taken, Gus
tave pushed out from shore, out from
the sequestered nook hat had served
them so well. Despite his continuance.
Gustave made a slight noise. Instant
~ the dreaded uncle was on the alert.
The faint light of tho mooon led to
the discovery of the lovers.
Gustave would not give up without
a ST. uggle. He knew that a Wise
Providence was over all.
The party on the island boarded
their boat in haste. melted by the
voice o Mr.. NJ. Now the chase
began in earnes. Poor M6lanie was
still, with the stiffness of despair.
Her shaking hands hid her white face.
She could not bear to look on. She
thought all was lost. Her lover kept
on with undaunted courage, his little
boat flew over the wayelets. Render
ed desperate, lie took advantage of a
bend i'll the bayou and showed his
boat into the deuse shadow thrown by
a tall a of rushes that reared them
selves near. He waited here, hoping
the pulsuers would overlook and pass
by.
Oh . they were coming closer and
closer. What could he do. They
were almost upon them. Ii some
thing could occur to save MGlanie and
himself for eacn other. Even then, in
the agitation OF his mind, he found it
strange, his boat kept moving further
inwards as of its own accord into
what had always been supposed to be
III Impenetrable mass of rusles.
Some obstruction caused the frail
bark to lurch to one side, attempting
to steady it. the young man gave a
strong push with his oar. To his
establishment the oyerhanging foliage
gave way, and tlesr emerged from it.
onto the broad bosom of a wide beau
tiful stream, hitherto unsupported aud
unknown.
The pursuing party passed by on
the other side of the protecting wall
of green, not dreaming Of what had
taken place.
Gustave looked towards the pale,
gentle girl so dear to him and whisper
ell, "Look up my sweet, aud see what
has saved us. No fear no, | am sure
that the swift current of this lovely