Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1896-07-10
THROUGH A TORNADO.
A Tale of Adventure on a Louisiana
Plantation.
by MAURICE THOMPSON.

moonlight. His slumber was 50 fitful
and sclappy that he could not be sure
whether it was while dreaming or wax
ing, but lie heard the old panther
scream far away in the jungle, and the
words of Col de Vigny kept ringing in
his ears: whenever once the old fell
low chooses a victim he never fails
finally TO eat him" Never before had
he felt that words could O'sibly have
the mystery of prophecy in them. Half
asleep and half awake he let this take
tort Of rhythmic swing back and forth
in his brain till they came to be a part
of his consciousness, or sub-consc!ous-
ness rather, lying before his beautiful
and tender dream of Lucie.
When morning came, gray and foggy,
I nwrence arose with the confused -im-
press;ons of the night not In the least
obliterated. He carried thCih III spite
Of himself, along with him to the break
fast table, where to his surprise, he did
not meet Col. dc Nigny, who. as Nine.
dc Vigny informed him, had been com
PEELED to set out early in the morning on
a long journey; he would be gone more
than month,
Mile. de vigny was looking serious
and tri1e pale.
Il had most urgent business with Col.
dc Vigny," said Lawrence: He could
not entirely ropress his disappointment
and chagrin, and it is probable that the
flash of suspicion VIII CHI leaped into his
mind was visible in his face; for Lucie
glanced quickly from him to her mother,
and the latter showed uneasiness.
But YOU said nothing to father about
it?" Lucio inquired, with the sweetest
Of rising infections.
Unfortunately, no." said Lawrence.
1T was so late when | arrived, and [
did not wish TO be in an unseemly
hurry.
Something in Lucie's face was warn
ing him 20 be on his guard. 1t confused
and bowildered him all the more.
Your horse is gone, she said. Some
one has stolen 1t.
This very simple announcement sent
the blood in upon Lawrence heart. In
q twinkling he grasped TO certain de-
gree the truth of tho situation. That
is, he understood that there certainly
must be some connection between the
and tho disappearance Of his horse.
In word, Colonel dc Vlgny had killed
two BIRDS with one stone. BY going off
he had escaped the disagreeable task of
explaining sone illegal dOings OF his
partners in New Orleans, and in taking
away Lawrence's horse he hal made it
impossible for that young man to reach
the city before certain evidence could
be destroyed. Indeed, our young friend
was not in the least surprised when, in
answer to an inquiry, he was told that
there was rot another riding horse on
the plantation, or for that matter, within
twenty miles of it,
He stood there looking at Mile. Lucie,
and on the moment the whole affair OBJ
truded it's ludicrous side. He laughed
in spite of himself.
a pretty kettle of fish, he exclaimed,
with drOll shrug of his shoulders and
a humorous lifting Of his brows. You
will have to entertain me for few days,
mademoiselle. 1t seems that | am
prisoner.
Not exactly a prisoner, monsieur, "
she replied, leaning over the railing of
the veranda, her lovely face framed in
the rich foliage OF the vine. But you
must be wise and careful. Take my
advice, and there will be no danger to
you.
She spoke very low, and her voice be-
trayed the depth of her feeling
Lawrence felt a great impulse toward
taking her bright little head between
his hands. but he did not dare.
Il have not come so far to be afraid OF
any danger that may threaten me, ho
said, as lightly as he could. Things
usually go my way
She assumed a hardening attitude for
a II oment, glancing around meanwhile
as if to assure herself that no one was
near, then motioned him to come closer.
He obeyed, lifting himself so that she
could stoop to his ear and whisper.