The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1895-02-07
cHAprER Ill


CHAPTER Ill
NJ. De Restaud looked up from his
cards as the chill gray of dawn stole in
the window.
night I've hadl"
He pushed the chips away, for he had
been n heavy loser. and staggered To
his feet. Ilt ilung the Jar'-er at the
game n roll of bank notes and fumblcd
In his pockets for Coll. The villainous
faces Of his four companio1s looked
sallow and hideous after the long
hours. His own head was Gchlag his
mouth dry and parchcd. He -eancd
out the window. drinking in the fresh
chill air as icy water. The room be-
hind him was foul vita cigar-smol5e
and the smell OF dregs Of liquor in
many glasses.
"Go 10 bed" he said, wcaricdly;
you know your rooms. I've played
enough, end you're all winners; you
ought TO be content"
One man muttcred about giving him
chance, but De Restaud shook his head
impaticntly, and they all went away
II was ugly TO the little girl last
night" De Restaud said, half aloud.
what did dc? Odd can't romem-
Der. wish She would keep away
from me when I'm not myself. She
has no more sense about some things
than child. III go see her
He tried her door; no sound. not even
the angry bark of her inScparable com
panion.
Il wonder il killed the dog when !
kicked it. Wish had; but she'd never
forgive me. She riding down the road
to see that fellow-thinlIs of him all
the time. | know in my heart she's as
innocent as a child about it, just out of
school when married her, but he will
think she's like other women and take
her nonsense in earnest. A man of
the world, evidently. He had better
keep out of my way Those boorish
Americans-he has a fist like black
smith"
He went muttering down the cor
ridor to his own room, and flung him
self, still dressed, on his bed. The house
was silent for hours. Annette in the
Invent softly about her work, monsieur
was so dreadful if awakened Louis
crff-rying the horses in the corral
scarce spoke above a whisper, but tao
iturnity had become a habit with him.
The poultry, however, cluclled merrily
in the back yard the gobbler gave his
views, and the hens, women-like, cack-
led about it, while the ducks enjoyed
the bonanza of deep mud and pools
after the rain. The cows, loath to go
upon the hills, huddled near the barns.
Annette, roundfaced, beady-eyed. neat
as pin, stood in the door, her hands
on her hips. She looked with pride on
her fowls-how well the plump darlings
repaid her care-then she glanced
across at her husband, ten years her
junior-the beautiful man who had
spent her dowry and told her so charm
ingly he married her for that money,
and who had brought her to this wild
country. She smiled to herself in sat
isfaction; in this wilderness no girl
could take him away. Those Paris
girls were such wrctchcs, bra2en
things. The ranchers' daughters here,
however, were we'll behaved; no matter
what eyes Louis made, they would
have none of him. The young girls of
the mountains were brave and good.
How they must suffer, though! for
Louis was so fascinating.
Louis" she called, softly, stepping
out on the plank walk, madame is
not yet awake, nor the little dog. It
is strange silence for them who are
usually out so early. You climb up on
the oof of the corral and look in her
window. She never would open her
door to us"
The man huIriedly obeycd. iIe had
been thinking all the morning sonio-
thing was wrong. If she were dead
monsieur was wilder than common last
night, and so hasty; he had been
gambling and losing all day. The dog
must be dead; he hated Louis, and
generally made his appearance at the
window early to bark at him. Louis
climbed up one of the posts of the roof,
Annette watched him, shading her eyes
with her hand.
"She is there, Louise"
He shock his head and dropped to
the ground at her feet. mo; she is
gone. The bed hasn't been slept in"
"TIeavensr' cried Annette, wringing
her hands. Monsieur will be ter
rible."
"IIe ought to kill her, the little cat.
You need not pity her; she makes
game of you always because you can
not comprehend her English tongue.
/ must wake monsieur"
Followed by Annette, who prayed in
a whisper, he knocked at monsieur's
door. No answer. Then he went in
and shook the sleeper gently.
Monsieur" he said, tremulously, as
De Restaud sat up dazed and haggard-
eyed, II hate to tell you, but l must;
madame is gone"
"Liarl" cried the other, leaping to
his feet. "She would not dare. Get
my coat. Goue! Where? Who would
take her in? All, ! know. / was not
far wrong all the time. II is madden
ing. Break in her door, Louis; i have
no strength"