The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1896-11-28
CHAPTER +.

Louisiana plantation mansions OF co or
70 years ago. Those homes We're set in
the midst Of wilderness whose con
tightly Of shade" as Cowrer expressed
it, was broken only by intervals of
marsh still more dIeary and dcsolate.
For miles and miles, even now, tho
solemn, moss draped woods stand SOM
Der and silent, given over forever to
upon drcary league the tall g ass covers
the cosy, Shiny marshes where no liv-
ing thing Is visible save the WIDE
winged birds and the wai!owing alli-
gates.
The effect of this strange country
upon u vivid imagination is remarkable
under the most ordinary circumstances.
In tho case OF Martin Lawrence it had
a triple emphasis. To begin with, MS
business enterprise was Of the most I'M
usual and exciting nature; a Philadel-
phia bank had been swindled by two
ghagpers supposed to be clover repre-
sentatves OF the Murroll organization,
and the affair apparently involved the
honor OF two or three citizens Of prom
inence in Louisiana. John A. MurreiI
was man who cxertod great personal
influence in a. most mysterious way, bat
as our story has nothing to DO with him
We cannot turn aside 10 sketch his
methods. It is sufficient to say chat all
accounts, together with the biography
writton by 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
tamper with any Of his schemes or to
NEEDLE in any way with one Of his
affairs was most dangerous thing.
Lawrence realized this, and, lover of
adventure that he was, enjoyed it to the
full.
Young Lawrence had been guiic1 al
most by chance to tn" ras 'ltcuce Of Col.
Gle VigMy, the very man whom his bust
ness egraId co9ceuod; and o. the very
vclanda, while being ho pitHbiy wei
coined py tho ColoHci, lis eyes had
fallen on L 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
ing Mile. Lucc once more, and away
out there in that lonely plantation house
amid the cypress swamp and live oak
hummocks OF Louisiana.
Lucie was, If possible, still more
beautiful than when she was a mere slip
of d girl in Switzerland and in Paris
Her lace had taken Oh with its slightly
increased iullness q quieter, rich ex-
preston, as il life were somewhat more
serious to her now.
He saw ut once that she remembered
him and That she desired him to treat
hcr as a stranger. In an obscure, indi-
rect fashion he OWNED her reason for
wishing TO be LETT unrecoGniZed; at
least no 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 circums ,anccs.
Lawrence felt that, in some way, every
thing depended upon the adyoitness with
which he might turn the key in tho lock
OF this mystery, and he at once set his
will like strong brake. upon his i'm
pulses.
She stood before him but q moment.
AT first he was on the point OF stepping
toward her and letting so the whole,
long pent-up volume OF his feeling To
SEQ her again was like regaining sight
after long blindness, like stepping forth
to freedom after resting for years in q
noisOme dungeon-no, q thousandfold
/ moro thrilling than any other experience
could just then have been, was that ono
assured look into her beloved face.
She made some slight but signif-
cant sign with her eyes and lips. II
was scarcely q movement ct all; but it
said, moro urgently and forcibly than
words could have done, that it would be
fatal TO 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
Vigny to see il 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 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 a
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! :.
"Wba' de mattah, chilo?' inquired the
old co!ored housekeeper, only she spoke
in tho French patois of the Louisiana
slaves. "Wha' dc mattah wild yo' now?
Yo' look so comtiusticated!"
Nothing, zilla," replied Lucie, "but
isn't it too bad that we must set guest
Il cold, meaScr little supper like this"
oh, g'long, Gahiin'; come late; save
light. You know"
ayes, he did come late, and there was
something in Lucie's voice that gave
peculiar emphasis to tho word late; but
We must do our best.
Wait twell brekfus', Miss Lucie, an
Fen we feed im."
Certainly Lawrence did not think the
supper light or meager when he Shutdown
TO it opposite his host. Cold venison