Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1895-10-16
WRATH OF A VICOMTE

-HE coves that indent the Geor-
gia coast, the picturesque Islands
i that fringe the mainland, the
primeval settlements scattered among
the marshes have been the scene or
many thrilling but unrecorded happen
ings.
The traditions of the coast people are
dear to them, handed, in fact and fancy
unaItered, TO successive generations and
preserving all the quaint originality
of expression and simplicity Of style.
Here is a story Of the coast-a ro-
nance of two continents:
Sapelo Island, In the early history OF
the state, passed into the possession Of
the French and by some claim became
the property of Vicomte de Boufeuillet,
the distinguished ancestor of distin-
gulshed descendants now living, and
the Chevalier du Bignon, the original
of that illustrlous Georgia family.
False reports of this new country
had led these two Frenchmen to think
that the island abounded in illinitable
resources. To them this chip of the
Georgia coast was a kind of FL Dorado
with greater promise Of riches than
De Soto or his deluded followers ever
dreamed of. In the gay world of Paris
they were pointed out as the noblemen
upon whom fortune had smiled, and
when the Chevalier du Bignon rode by
people would stare and talk about his
wonderful wealth, for his bearing was
naughty and the pride of his behavior
great.
AS to the old Vicomte, when luck was
III and made him loser in his game,
there came a dark scowl on his grim
visage, but at thought this would clear
quickly away and an expression Of
serene satisfaction would follow.
"Sacre dieu! What care that lose!
On with the game! Have l not riches
uncovered in my new found land?
What are a few francs to me, favor
ite of fate? On with the game! The
loss is a mere trifle!" and the Vicomte
de Boufeuillet would smite his thigh
and laugh fear away.
So the old man placed much value on
this distant territory, and he had high
hopes for what would come from this
land beyond the seas. There was
nothing dearer than this land to him,
unless 1t was his daughter, Of whom
1t was said there was none more beau
tiful In the land Of the fleur-delis.
Stately of mien and comely of person,
and more graceful than the deer that
hid in the dark foliage Of her fathers
forest, all the gallant youths Of the
land came to do homage and kneel at
the shrine Of LA Belle Marie"
But the fair maid had no favorite
among these suitors, and in defiance Of
the fervent protestations of her fero-
cious father that she should give her
hand to some lord of high degree,
laughed scornfully If an adorer Of this
titled nobility should strike his heart,
swearing to love and protect her. Men
said she was a soulless beauty, that her
reckless nature was impervious to oil
fine feeling and soft sentiment.
But men did not know, neither did
the Vicomte de Boufeuillet
She had a secret, this daughter of
France.
what If he should know? What II
her father should discover that she had
given her love to her cousin Louis;
that she had plighted her uoth to him
years ago when an orphan lad he had
come from his home in the hills to live
with the Vicomte. Would not her
father storm and rage like a lion should
he know the truth? Perhaps he might
be glad In her happiness. Who knew?
Surely Louis was q man of fine ap-
pearance and there was no braver In
all France. Had he not pierced a
counts son to the heart with a hand
that could not bide insult? There was
no knight courtlier than he. Rather
than offend a lady he woulu give his
life blood. Surely to love such a man
was no dishonor."
And thus did the girl ponder, and
sometimes she menaced to bid bold de-
hance and divulGe all to the old VI
comte, but her cousin was timorous
and cautioned 1t were best to wait un-
til he could make his merit known and
then a time would come when, by dint
of glorious achievements, he could
come to claim his own with usury.
The days sped by and the old Vicomts
had given himself up to the game.
The turmoil of the hall was great one
..no-~tro IIvAriad vol Iots Last thnis
Tonteu dellOSiaIi IioA anu were udsHiAS
here and there in blind confusion. The
iousemaids shuddered and wept hys-
erically. There was gloom about the
Ireat hall. The heavy voice Of the VI
.omte echoed down the corridors, for
is wrath was surging and his unbri-
lied fury swept everything before it
ho1 1nSf-1nSt ri
excitement Of the play he had risked a
'ortune. 1t was gone off like chaff.
u his passion at the sudden change Of
.hance he had insulted his companions
md rushed from the door like wild
nan. On his ride home he had pum-
neled the pate of his coachman and
whipped his horses until they were
iecked with foam.
For days he remained in his bed
.hamber alone and no one dared ap-
,roach him. Gradually has wrath sub
,ided. With returning reason came
purpose.
1t happened that he called for his
tinsman, Louis, who hesitated at first,
!or he well knew the intense temper
Of the Vicomte. The mood of his kins-
nan, however, had changed. He was
almost joyful when he met the young
man and began to talk Of the Georgia
Island, where were treasures and re-
sources In abundance. 1t was now
49, g.. xht. r~oo> asian N viold m ifa