Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1894-01-18

had heard little or TINS man since
my successful rivalry for the hand of
Emile ma lie him my enemy. After
my purchase OF Louise learned Incl
dentally that he had once visited New
Orleans, and II was told me that he
made particular inquiries about me.
There were none but unpleasant recol-
lections connected with him, and |
hoped that l should never meet him
again.
Suddenly, twelve years after my re-
moval from La Fourche, he presented
himself TO me. / had no previous
knowledge that he was In the neigh
borhood, and the sight OF him discon-
certed me. IL was at a gentlemnn's
dinner party at my own house, and he
came with one OF the guests, whom he
was visiting. ! knew that the man
was revengeful and good hater, and |
began TO tremble for the consequences
of such a visit | conjectured that II
he had not learned the true cause OF
Emilie's alienation from me, he would
be likely TO guess IL II he happened to
See you, Cory; for you were then about
the age OF your mother when he last
saw her, and very closely rcsembled
her. And what he should discover ]
knew that his hatred OF me would
prompt him TO spread broadcast in the
ncighborhood.
Before I could form any plan To
check such n catastrophe, dinner was
announced. We were just seated, when
you, Cory, came 10 the door and
looked in, prompted, | suppose, by
childish curiosity. Castex saw you,
recognized your face, and asked me In
French II that was my daughter. re-
piled that she was; and then
The man is dead; must soon follow
him. would like TO speak to him now
without bitterness or passion; yet
should not speak the whole truth II !
did not say that his face was shining
with savage JOY as he gave me the
brutal rejoinder In French that AS
sured me that his discovery would be
published far and near. lie said:
"Ah, monsieur Five or six years
hence, when the charming daughter OF
Louise Bonfant shall come TO the same
auction block In New Orleans where
YOU purchased the mother, then think
the spirit OF your wronged wife will
feel avenged"
saw that he had deliberately
planned 10 force u quarrel ON me.
knew that there could be no safety for
my secret while he lived. A duel fol-
lowed, and killed him. The wound
that received at the same time from
his hand laid me up for weeks, and
nearly brought me 20 the grave.
My misery dates from that hour. 1t
is not comfortable reflection 10 carry
around with you night and day that
you have slain fellow creature
though bad one, and the thought has
troubled me; but much more torment
ing than this was the fear that CastcN
had in some way left his discovery TO
be revealed after his death. grew
suspicious Of everybody; | abandoned
old friends; while they never suspect
ed the reason, ! wus continually fear
full that the truth would be known and
made public. Then the thought oc'
Cured TO me that all this torment
might be ended by returning to La
Fourche. came back to this place rs
suddenly as had left II. We had been
absent fifteen years, and there had
been many changes; Coralie was every.
where presented as my daughter, and
] gave out that Emile, her mother, had
died at my plantation far up the river.
Thus, in fear and falsehood, have !
preserved your good name, my child,
and concealed the story OF your birth
That concealment has always been NJ
the mercy of accidents, and | have
lived In the same state of torment since
the duel. Perhaps IL Is all part OF my
punishment; Emilies words were pro
phetic. You saw the agitation and tn,
excitement into which the visit Of thai
reprobate son threw me For the salN'
OF both of you, this falsehood can b'
told no longer The truth is painful
II Is humiliating; but that way lie
safety for you. Thank God, the bur
den liz gone, ut last In the morning
Mr., Coteau shall come and make tn
writings.