The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-01-22
THROUGH
A TORNADO
"A Tale of Adventure on a
Louisiana Plantation.
BY MAURICE THOMPSON
CHAPTER I.

CHAPTER I.
= We Of this day cannot even imagine,
snuch less realize, the loneliness OF the
Noulsiana plantation mansions OF 80 or
40 years ago. Those homes were set IN
the midst Of a wilderness whose con
Hguity OF shade" as Cowper expressed
1t, was broken only by intervals Of
tmarsh still more drearY md desolate.
Tor miles and miles, even now, the
2solemn, moss -draped woods stand SOM
her and silent, given over forever to
reptiles and wild beasts, and for league
upon dreary league the tall grass covers
The cosy, slimy marshes where no liv-
ting thing is visible save the wide
winged birds and the wallowing alli-
tgators.
The effect of this strange country
tupon vivid imagination is remarkable
tunder the most ordinary circumstances.
I'm the case Of Martin Lawrence 1t had
h triple emphasis. To begin with, his
business enterprise was Of the most un-
usual and exciting nature; q Philadel-
fphia bank had been swindled by two
yaharpers supposed to be clever repre-
ssentatives OF the Murreu organization,
land the affair apparently involved the
honor Of two or three citizens OF prom
nnence in Louisiana. John A. Murrell
fwas man who exerted great personal
Influence In most mysterious way, but
sas our story has nothing to do with him
I'VE cannot turn aside to sketch his
methods. It is sufficient to say that all
Accounts, together with the biography
written by Virgil A. Stewart, agree in
making it clear that he was the greatest
thighwayman and leader Of lawless men
THAT America has ever produced. To
hamper with any Of his schemes or to
lmeddle in any way with one Of his
;affairs was most dangerous thing.
Lawrence realized this, and, lover Of
iadventure that he was, enjoyed it to the
full.
Young Lawrence had been guided al
most by chance to the residence Of Col.
de Vigny, the very man whom his bust
ness errand concerned; and on the very
veranda, while being Hospitality well
,comed by the Colonel, his eyes had
fallen on young girl whom he had met
In the old world. ...- .....
What hurled the thought Of legal duty
clear out of his head for time was see-
ting Mile. Lucie once more, and away
iout there In that lonely plantation house
Ianid the cypress swamp and live oak
hummocks Of Louisiana. ..-......
Lucie was, il possible, still more
beautiful than when she was mere slip
iof q girl in Switzerland and In Paris.
Her face had taken on with it's slightly
Increased fullness quieter, richer ex-
,pression, as II life were somewhat more
serious to her now.
He saw at once that she remembered
him and that she desired him to treat
her as stranger. In an obscure, indi-
rect fashion he OWNED her reason for
wishing to be left unrecognized; at
least he felt sure that some barrier
would have to be broken between them
greater than any mere reserve Of con-
Iventional prudence.
b Ones mind works with lightning
swiftness under such circumstances.
Lawrence felt that, in some way, every
thing depended upon the adroitness with
(which he might turn the key in the lock
of this mystery, and ne at once set his
will like strong brake upon his i'm
pulses.
She stood before him but moment.
yhb LII 6G 1l0 " oS Ou GAC pOlAb VI otCppAAS
toward her and letting 60 the whole,
long pent-up volume Of his feeling. To
see her again was like regaining sight
after long blindness, like stepping forth
TO freedom after resting for years in a
noisome dungeon-no, thousandfold
more thrilling than any other experience
could just then have been, was that one
assured look into her beloved face.
! She made some slight but signifi-
cant sign with her eyes and lips. It
was scarcely movement at all; but it
said, more urgently and forcibly than
words could have done, that it would be
fatal to all his hopes-and, OIL sweet
thought! it meant that her own heart
felt the mighty need Of prudence and of
wise forbearance at this crucial point in
their two lives. .......
Lawrence quickly glanced at Col. de
'Vigny to see if he had noticed the little
by-play. That facile creole was evi-
IDENTIFY quite unaware that in the space
of five seconds stroke Of fate gu
premely important had rung out clear
and strong echoing from heart to heart.
His dark, somewhat mysterious face
was suave and amiable, with hospitable
suggestions in it's mobile features.
Lucie hurried away to summon serv-
ants and to superintend the laying Of
supper for the guest. Meantime, her
heart leaped wildly and her brain was
In happy whirl. How long she had
waited and dreamed, feeling sure that
some day he would return! Now he
was here, and how bold and strong and
handsome!
"Wha' de mattah, chile?" inquired the
old colored housekeeper, only she spoke
In the French patois Of the Louisiana
slaves. "Wha' de mattah wild yo' now?
70 look 80 comfusticated!"
i Nothing, Zilla," replied Lucie, but
isn't it too bad that we must set guest
q cold, meager little supper like this?"
@Oh. g'long, dahlin'; come late; save
light, you know"
YES, he did come late, and there was
something in Lucie's voice that gave
peculiar emphasis to the word late; "but
we must do our best.
wait twell brekfus', Miss .Lucie, an
ZEN we feed i'm"
Certainly Lawrence did not think the
supper light or meager when he satdown
to it opposite his host. Cold venison
with jelly. French bread. rice cake.
roast pig with baked sweet potatoes and
pattes Of maize, preserved figs, good
butter, and syrup as clear as honey
these were the dishes before him, and
besides there was coffee and claret.
Lawrence did not mention his busi-
ness till next morning, and, tired as he
was, he could sleep but little during the
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