The Pioche weekly record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1877-1900, 1894-06-28
Creole aiidPQrital
A Character Study in
Three Parts.
By T. G. DE LEON.
III
By T. G. DE LEON.
PART lin THE SOUTH.

PART HIN THE SOUTH.
The proud head dropped in deep and
motionless reverie, the little glove still /
held in the battle Drowned but delicate
hand.
So deep was the mans thought that he
heard nothing of an opening door ON the
gallery behind him, of woman's step
upon the walk, or the rustling Of her
train on the fallen orange leaves. He
did not even hear her laugh, so low and
musical it almost seemed to melt into
moonlight, as she regarded him, around
the tree against which he leaned,
Developed in the fullest splendor of
womanhood, she was still 1.-THE and
graceful enough for girlhood, the per-
feet neck and rounded arms glittering
with diamonds, and the whole toilet-a
Pompadour misunderstanding costll-
ness and TASTE A satin half mask, with
lace fall, hid the face, but through it
two bright eyes peered curiously at the
dress of the figure before her, half hid
den in the shadow. Then she advanced
on tiptoe, saying to herself:
$50 this is our generals excuse for
delay! must be hours late at the balls,
while he plays mountebank among the
people. Di done, Monsieur Pierrot!"
She spoke the last words aloud, and
again laughed softly; but Adrien Latour
did not look ua. He started vaguely, as
though the laugh were an echo OF his
own memories, now far away by the
fast rolling river Of the north She
laughed again softly behind her mask.
Come Dale" she said, give me
credit, and I'll offer two pennies for the
thoughts Merciful heavenp
The rich satin draperies crumpled
back against the tree, and the little
hands clinched tightly over the heaving
bust. For, at the first words he heard
the Creole had stopped forward, thrust
the soiled glove into his breast, and then
turned full to the speaker. Now ne
looked with half sorrowful, half curious
air upon tine startled, palpitating form
before him.
$50 this is Dale's expensive toy!' hi
nuttered. "Truly he pays well for it II
silks and diamonds! Confound the jade
I'm sorry she caught me incoming
though. wonder if she saw"
In husky voice, forced out of her IL
half gasps, the woman answered hi
thought in two words:
THAT glove!"
Hardly rocking to what manner o
woman he spoke, and more in mocker
of himself than Of her, Latour replied:
"The glove? Oh, that is only
souvenir of one mans idiocy, of on
woman's sin, long years ago."
"Where? The womans voice wa
lower than before.
"Where you have never been, prett
Creole" he answered, all the lightnes
in the words, none in the voice. 80
the cold banks of northern river, whel
one woman's one act killed the future {
two men and her own honor as WE'LL"
A quick gesture tore away the sati
mask, and Bonnie Standish raised he
head haughtily to the speaker. Thel
was small reminder Of the pert girl
the past in that proud pose of head an
stern compression Of lip; and the mai
never changing his attitude Of easy grac
pazed at her with dumb horror free
ing his eyes.
Then out of his face fell every drop
blood, leaving it blanched and salloN
But its lines grew hard and the bloc
less lips set in straight cruel line. ST
he moved no muscle; only the eyes c
lated and glowed with evil fire.
Equally motionless was the woma
but she regarded him half in sorro'
half in anger. When ut last she spo
the voice had only GOODNESS in it, Meth
menace nor entreaty.
"Adrien Latour, the last time you So
that woman it was to insult her.
not let six years malice prompt you nc
to SANDER herr
"Slander-you! How could I?' The
was infinity of scorn in the mans tor
but even through that struggled 81
prise.
Bonnie Standish advanced one st
toward him.
"Those days were SO long ago." s
said more gently. Even then y
never dreamed all l suffered. Since,
both have suffered more. Let us f
give at least, even if neither can I
get"
She held out the dainty, diamond c.
cred hand. He seemed not to see it,
the flash of the moonlight on the sto1
made him shudder.
"Oh, God!' he groaned, in bittern
Of soul, "this cursed war has pas
over our country like blight. 1t
dried up the springs of honor in m
poisoned the founts of purity in
menl"
Then, as though in moclsery of
strong mans agony, u snatch OF me
song, with glad refrain Of laugh