The Press., 1898-12-29
ST. DENIS.

 is an ancient stone bouse, said to have been the home, nearly 200 years ago, of Jugereau St. Denis, French explorer md adventuIer, and his wife, Dona Maria, the beautiful daughter of @ Spanish officer.
 No more gallant figure than St. De- uis steps out from the shadows of the past He was born in Canada, spent his childhood and early youth in France, where he was educated and had for his pom panions young men of the better rlass He returned to Canada, and for some years took an active part in affairs there.
 He is described as of majestic tig- ure, trained in the French military schools, of manners the most courteous, of strong character, warm heart, of a power of speech peculiarly winning and of undaunted bravery.
 In I7I4 he led band of hunters and trappers from Canada down into Loui- siana. We know he built a fort at Mac ogdoches and left the greater part of his followers to garrison it. With I2 men and 8 number of Indian guides he crossed the Sabine river and penetrated into what Is now Texas. As he jour neyed he met with various Indian tribes, and seems to have had no trou- ble in making all of them his friends !.
 At last he reached the Spanish pod on the Rio GIande. At San Juan BaU tista he announced to Villesecas. the commander there. that he came to buy beeves. horses and supplies, and also to establish closer and more friendly rela- tions between the French and Spanish territories.
 This was all very well, but St. De- nis' most probable object was to acquire all the country over which he had marched for his king, Louis XIV, who had shadowy claim to it by virtue of some early explorations of La Salle.
 How to deal with the newcomers bothered Villesecas great deal. After many days of waiting and of those ex- lasperating delays we of the present day know so we'll in our intercourse with lSpaniards, St. Denis sent a message to the governor of Coahuila, telling his mission and asking the privilege of trade.
 Now. Villesecas had a daughter, g very beautiful daughter, named Maria. lGiven handsome, vivacious young lFrenchman and a beautiful Spanish girl daily meeting, and all who read know what came of it. St. Denis fell in love with ber-an honest and sheer passion it was-and she in turn loved him. The beginning of love was the beginning oi trouble.
 For at the same time St. Denis sent his message to the governor Villesecai sent 8 letter to the same parsonage This letter expressed suspicious as tc the object of St. Denis visit and alsc told of the love affair of the FrenehmaL in love with her himself and a suitol for her hand. It was for St. Denis { cass of putting his head in the lion'i mouth and then twisting his tail
 Back came the messengers and bacl also came a troop of cavalry with orders to seize St. Denis and bring him tt the governors seat, MontcIova, forth with. At Montclova St. Denis wa heavily ironed and thrown into prison When he had had few days experienc, of the horrors and cruelties of Span ish prison. the governor, Gaspardo d. Anaya, came to see him, expecting n, doubt to find him worn out, broker spirited and quite tractable. willing t grant anything for freedom.
 The Spaniard told his captive that i he would give up Dona Maria h. would be free. St. Denis indignant, scorned the proposal His position wa as desperate as 8 mans could we'll be alone where it was impossible to appea to any one. a stranger in a land alway heartless and cruel to strangers. sus pected of designs against the state. and worse than that, in the power of mal who loved the woman who loved him.
 It is said, Hell hath no fury like ? woman scorned." So can it be said Earth has no ally like a woman wh loves you. .s.s. ..
 Dona Maria learned of her lover plight by receiving a letter from tn governor telling her of it. The Iette slso informed her that if she did nc } agree to marry the writer. St. Deni fI would be put to death E#s . The high. spirited beauty rose equs to the occasion. Her reply to his scoun - derlcy was positive refusal. More tha II budtp su0 WIOtO tuut III Cnsc Sh DSn met his death she herself, or some on for her, would put knife into the goy ernor's cowardIy heart. The governo must have been impressed, for St. Dc his did not die just then
 Dona Maria spent no time in delays She at once wrote to the viceroy at th |. City of Mexico, the viceroy having al solute power, standing in place of hi :, king, over all South America and / great part of North America.
 She told of St. Denis and his visi
 told of their mutual love, told of th