St. Landry clarion. (Opelousas, La.) 1890-1921, 1894-03-10

We -ssssts ts--.-us-----. SsssSaazsS
THE CENTER OF A GROUP OF ADMIRINa
FRIENDS.
was you, Jim Dolman, for heer'd him
say again an again after they'd carried
the poor chap into your house, that he
would be even with you ALL"
"Even with mel" Dolman grinned.
s'sGuess he's orr his base a-talkin' sich
nonsense t&@4& e s
Then Auguste Fontaine, the black
smith, slowly gathered himself together
for the effort, and spoke, for the man
was ponderous as one of his own great
hammers, and words seldom came from
his lips save an oath to some refractory
horse or roar of anger at his wife If a
meal was late. Therefore. when he did
give.utterance to a thought his remarks
commanded attention.
"An' seen him talhin' to that tramp
feller as slept in your barn last night. t."
SCH, what" Dolman CALCULATED. "a
tramp in my barn!''
"Yes, I thought you knowed it. AM
from what could learn as passed by,
he was offerin' man a hundred dollars
If he'd go afore a Justice O. peace at
Glastonbury an swear to a CONVERSE
ton he'd heer'd atween you an 'Phonse
Damiens In your stable last night"
Mr.. Dolman's face was picture Of
discomposure.
"An' what did the fe1ler say? Did he
take the offer?" he asked, wiping the
big beads of perspiration from his brow.
''That couldn't quite tell you, Jim, -
was the unconsoling reply, "bnt the
chap went to Glastonbury in Bladon's
return rig. Like ez not he's q layin' for
yer, Do1man; guess ef was you I'd
make tracks for Canady ez 'Phonse hez
DONE"
ssThen all kin say" Dolman de-
c1ared, sis thet it is base conspiracy
to take away the character of a honest
man. Whatl Is the word of a tramp
ter be took agen church member Of
nine years standin'? Eff thet worthless
cuss es slep' in my barn ses didn' du
EK1ay zxsSv=a UCsu psx I,SG !
ter hurt the blind man, he lies. Why,
when seen 'Phonse SO set agen him,
an heern him mutterin' to hissen es
we harnessed the hosses what he would
du ter the feller when he got him out
on the ice, argyed with him all coui d
The idee of sayin' encouraged him!
.'Phonse,' ses I, don't yer go for ter du
it, or yer'n be foun' out. an"
Dolman stopped, as though instap-
taneously bereft Of speech; for there,
not a dozen feet fr6an him, stood
Damiens, with such malignant scowl-
ON his face that the old mans blood ran
cold All were amazed at the appari-
| ton, for it is little startling to see
standing before you the man you be-
lieve to. be in foreign country fleeing
from justice.
Though his face was pale as death
and wild light lurlSed in those mag
nifeent dark eyes. he was the most
self-possessed man in the store.
"Don't let me interrupt the converse
tion, Jim. What were you saying,
which interested our friends so much?''
"Fer the Lords sake, 'Phonse, don't
look at me like thet!" Dolman cringed
with ashen lips; 'sther's d suthin' in
yer eyes which"
"Nonsensei Why. Jim, what is the
matter with your"
Keep off Don't let him come near
me. He's crazy mad, | tell yer" Dol
man cried, retreating behind the gro
GERS burly figure.
At this moment a woman hurrledly
passed the door. It was Wanda Arling.
tom fastening to the telegraph office
with message for Mrs. Evesham, Inn
ploring her to come at once to her as.
sistance, for the physician had said that
i with good nursing George Arunders
life might be spared. and she had moi
much faith in the ''gyurls" as minister
ing angels for sick mans bedside.
/ The madman saw her, and his eyet
cleaned with uncontrolled passion.
'sShe is there-my darling, my. life
Away! Let me go or win brain your
and, with bound, which shook off ths
grasp of half dozen men, he dashet
into the street after she girl, who, al
unconscious OF approaching danger, wa
walking along wrapped in thoughts o
George Arundeps sufferings.
CHAPTER XIII.
AN ANXIOUS MOMENT
Not o man who saw the stalwar
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