Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1896-07-10

We Of this day cannot even imagine,
much less realize, the loneliness of the
Louisiana plantation mansions of 60 OF
70 years ago. Those homes were set IN
the midst Of wilderness whose CON
tguity Of shade, as Cowrcr expressed
1t, was broken only by intervals Of
marsh still moro dreary and desolate.
For miles and miles, even now, the
solemn, moss draped woods stand eOm'
Der and silent, given over forever to
reptiles and wild beasts, and for league
upon dreary league the tall G ass covers
the cosy, Shiny marshes where no llv-
ing thing Is visible save the wide
winged birds and the wallowing alli-
gators.
The effect Of this strange country
upon vivid imagination is remarkable
under the most ordinary circumstances.
In the case Of Martin awrence 1t had
@ triple emphasis. To beg n with, his
business enterprise was of the most un-
usual and exciting nature; q Phiiadel-
phia bank had been sw.ndlcd ly two
sharpers supposed TO be clover repre-
sentatives of the Murrell organization,
and the affair apparently involved the
honor Of two or three citizens Of prom
inence in Louisiana. John A, Murrell
was a man who eXerted great personal
influence in most mysterious way, but
as our story has nothing to do with him
we cannot turn aside 10 sketch his
methods. It Is sufficient to say that all
accounts, together with the biography
written 10y Virgil A. Stewart, agree in
making it clear that he was the greatest
highwayman and leader of lawlcss men
that America has ever produced. To
tsmper with any OF his schemes or to
meddie in any way with ono Of his
affairs was a most dangerous thing.
Lawrence realized this, and, lover Of
adventure 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
coined 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 Tor a time was see
ing Mile. Lucie once more, and away
out there In that lOncly.plantatiOn house
amid the cypress swamp and live oak
hummocks of Louisiana.
Lucic was, if POSSIBLE, still mora
beautiful than when she was a mere slip
OF a girl in Switzerland and in Paris.
Her face had taken on with its slightly
increased fullness Quieter, rich eX-
preston, as if life were somewhat moro
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-
ventional prudence.
Ones mind works with lightning
swiftness under such circumstances.
Lawrence felt that, in sOme way, every
thing depended uron the adroitness with
which he might turn the key in the lock
o. this mystery, and he at once set his
will like a strong brake upon his i'm
pulses.
She stood before him but q moment.
At first he was on the Toint of stepping
toward her and letting go 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 dungcon-nO, a thOusandfOld
moro thrilling than any other experience
could just then have been, was that one
assured look into her beloved face.
She made some slight but signi0-
cant sign with her eyes and lips. 1t
was scarcely movement at all; but it
said, more urgently and forcibly than
words could have done, that it would be
fatal 10 all his hopes and, oh! 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
Nigny to see if he had noticed the little
by-play. That facile creole was evil
IDENTIFY quite unaware that in the space
of five seconds stroke OF fate SUI
premely important had rung out clear
and strong cchoing from heart to heart.
His dark, somewhat mysterious face
was suave and amiable, with hospitable
suggestions in its 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 dav he would retunl Now he
was here. and how hold and strong and
handsome.
"Wha' de ncattah, chile?" inquired the
old cOlored housekeeper, only she spoke
in the French patols OF the Louisiana
slaves. "Wha' de mattah wild yo' now?
Yo' look so comflusticated!"
Nothing, Ziila, replied Lucie, but
isn't it too bad that we must set guest
a cold. meager little supper like this"
"Oh, g'long, dahlin'; come late; save
light, you know.
"Yes, he did come late, and there was
sore.hlng in Lucie's voice that gave
peculiar emphasis to the word late; but
W. must do our best.
wait twcll trekfus', Miss Lucie. an
ZEN we feed i'm.
Cclta My Lawrence did not think the
supper light or meage when he satdown
70 1t OPP ostc his host Cold venison
with Jelly, Fren h bread, rico cake,
roast pig W th bak, d sweet potatoes and
patties of maize, preserved figs, good
futter. and syrup as clear rs honey
these were the d shes before him, and
besides there was coffee and ciaret.
Lawrence did not m ntiOn his tusi-
ness till next TOrning, and, tired as he
was he could sleep lut little during the
=. - co ru'l U,c his hra n of stirring