The Globe-republican., 1892-11-04
THROUGH A TORNADO.
A Tale of Adventure on a Louisiana
Plantation.
BY MAURICE THOMPSON.

moonlight. His SlumDer was SO ntIul
and scrappy that he could not be sure
whether it was while dreaming or wax
ing, but he heard the old panther
scream far away in the jungle, and the
words of Col. de Vigny kept ringing in
his ears: Whenever once the old fel-
low chooses a victim he never fails
finally to eat him." Never before had
he felt that words could possibly have
the mystery Of prophecy in them. Half
asleep and half awake he let this take
sort of rhythmic swing back and forth
in his brain till they came to be a part
of his consciousness, or sub-consciouS-
ness rather, lying before his beautiful
and tender dream of Lucie.
When morning came, gray and foggy,
Lawrence arose with the confused i'm
pressiOns of the night not III the least
obliterated. He carried them, in spite
of himself, along with him to the break
fast table, where, to his surprise, he did
not meet Col. de Vigny. who. as Nine.
de Vigny informed him, had been COM
PEELED to set out early in the morning on
a long journey; he would be gone more
than a month.
Mile. de Vigny was looking serious
and trife pale.
Il had most urgent business with Col.
de Vigny," said Lawrence. He could
not entirely repress his disappointment
and chagrin, and it is probable that the
flash of suspicion which leaped into his
mind was visible in his face; for Lucie
glanced quickly from him to her mother,
and the latter showed uneasiness.
But you said nothing to father about
it," Lucie inquired, with the sweetest
of rising infections.
Unfortunately, no." said Lawrence.
1T was so late when l arrived, and l
did not wish to be in an unseemly
hurry"
Something in Lucie's face was warn
ing him to be on his guard. 1t confused
and bewildered him all the more.
Your horse is gone, she said. Some
one has stolen it.
This very simple announcement sent
the blood in upon Lawrence's heart. In
a twinkling he grasped to certain de-
gree the truth of the situation. That
is, he understood that there certainly
must be some connection between the
sudden departure Of Colonel de Nigny
and the disappearance of his horse.
In a word. Colonel de Vigny had killed
two birds with one stone. By going of
he had escaped the disagreeable task OF
explaining some illegal doings OF his
partners in New Orleans. and in taking
away Lawrence's horse he ha made il
impossible for that young man to reach
! the city before certain evidence could
be destroyed. Indeed, our young friend
was not in the least surprised when, in
answer to an inquiry. he was told that
there was not another riding horse on
the plantation, or, for that matter, within
twenty miles of it.
He stood there looking at Mile. Lucie
and on the moment the whole affair OBJ.
truded its ludicrous side. He laughed
in spite of himself.
A pretty kettle of fish, he exclaimed
with droll shrug of his shoulders ano
humorous lifting of his brOws. You
will have to entertain me for a few days
mademoseIle. 1t seems that l am 6
prisoner.
Not exactly a prisoner. monsieur,
she replied. leaning over the railing OF
the veranda, her lovely face framed in
the rich foliage of the vine. But yol
must be wise and careful. Take m,
advice, and there will be no danger II
YOU
She spoke very low, and her voice be
trayed the depth of her feeling.
Lawrence felt great impulse toward
taking her bright little head betweea
his hands. but he did not dare.
Il have not come so far to be afraid o
any danger that may threaten NE, HI
said, as lightly as he could. Things
usually go my way
She assumed hardening attitude TO
moment, glancing around meanwhile
as if to assure herself that no ONE wa
near, then motioned HIM to come closer
He obeyed, lifting himself so that sh
could stoop to his ear and whisper