The Bossier banner., 1895-04-04

his acquaintance, notably sherlff's Of
ficers, sought his society with an ardor
that was difficult to Withstand. The
present was one of those occasions, and
although Marguerite had shown some
coyness about accepting the urgent in
vitation extended to him and had,
moreover, given the state officials some
healthy exercise before allowing them
to deliver it personally, yet he had
eventually given way to force OF cir
cumstances.
Fortunately for themselves, the rep
resentatives of law and order in Jacu-
baya knew within one hundred miles
or SO the localities where Marguerite
was likely to be found. His natural
modesty would, they were aware, pre-
vent his crossing the American border,
where his return had long been
awaited with anxiety by certain of his
compatriots. Therefore the chase had
been short.
Still, while it lasted, like most of the
proceedings in which Marguerite was
actively concerted, it had proved full
of interest to the persons sharing in it.
But now the object Of all these atten-
tions had recognized the uselessness of
further resistance, and feeling that he
had done his best, was prepared to rest
upon his laurels Wherein his friend,
Don Carlos, agreed with him.
The pair, accompanied by large
proportion of the population, made
their way toward the courthouse, a
building which but unfatteringly il
lustrated the quality of the law dis
pensed therein. As matter of fact,
before it became hall of justice, it
had been loft, and access to 1t was
still gained by means of a ladder. Mar
guerito, followed by the judge, the jury
and the crowd, mounted with impassive
slowness, and he was shortly occupy
ing a prominent position in the court.
Don Carlos, who suffered from con-
stitutional objection to clim bing, had
elected to remain in the yard below.
Knowing from past experience that the
trial was likely to be a lengthy process,
he gravely seated himself upon the
ground and prepared to await events.
1t should be explained that Don Carlos
was not handsome. Neither was he
good. Still, he possessed merits which
might have been patent to the casual
observer. In complexion he was black
and tan, being rather ike dachshund
in the face, while he strongly resem-
bled greyhound in the figure. His
tail, however, it was impossible to
classify, for it belonged to no species
or epoch. Owing to his having been
dropped by his nurse when a baby, it
had break near the tip, which caused
it to curl over his back in coquettish
manner far from exemplifying the real
solidity of his character, while its
length would have done credit to a cat
Don Carlos himself seemed to be
aware that it was not the latest fashion
In tails, and he habitually underwent
many things in vain endeavor to sit
upon the whole OF it at once. He was
thus engaged upon the present occa-
sion when, glancing up, he chanced to
catch sight of bull mastiff which was
strolling into the yard apparently in
search of stray refreshments.
Don Carlos pricked up his ears and
blinked his eyes, into which the light
OF battle gradually crept, until the in
truder, unconscious Of danger, drew
nearer every moment.
In the meanwhile the sonorous tones
of the judge, mingled with the drawl
OF the witnesses, sounded clearly from
the open window of the loft above. It
appeared that Marguerite was accused
OF horse stealing this time. and as he
listened to the details of his error, as
described by the sufferers from it, he
felt by no means certain but that this
might be the last OF his many sadven-
lures. 81
Judge Hopper's got . hanging look
about him this morning. he medi-
tated, with an unemotional face. .'If
] get on this tlme I will 90 home to