St. Landry clarion. (Opelousas, La.) 1890-1921, 1899-02-18
VII.
UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER.

still prisoner to his wound and guest
of the Big Horn, was strolling restless
ly about the managers handsome din
ing-room, his right arm ina sling, and
a cigar he was not smoking in his left
hand. Wan had just entered with a
tray Of glass and silver, which he was
putting away in the sideboard at the
end of the room.
John-Sam-where is your mis-
tress?" Dareie inquired, with vague
ness in the second person which put
the heather upon his dignity at once.
1t did not please Wan to be addressed
by divers and sundry names that were
not his own.
mo sabe; maybe gone out" he am
swered shortly.
Darcie was quite sure that she had
not gone out, having been listening the
last hour for her steps about the house.
He crossed the room as Wan was leav-
ingsAit, and absently slipped a dollar
into his discreetly receptive hand.
think you can't find her, Ell ?''
Maybe upstairs; go look see," said
Wan, Modified and relenting.
"Do, and be quick about it. Tell her
my arm is-a,-is very bad"
Wan hesitated; if the typical China
man has a sense of humor he does not
usually obtrude it. .'Think better go
catchum doctah?" Wan suggested, with
every appearance of polite concern.
His humor was wasted on Darcie.
"Did you hear me say doctor? When I
want you to catch me the doctor,
will say SO. sabe?"
"All light" Wan smiled distracted
ly. 81 go look see."
In few moments Faith entered
Her hands were pink and cold, her
cheeks glowing with exercise; but her
radiant face became grave and solici-
tous as she looked at Darcie.
''Wan says your arm is very bad. Is
it worse since breakfast?'
'I don't remember how it was at
breakfast: I wasn't thinking about it
then. Perhaps this scarf is tied too
short; will you let it down a bit?
Faith undid the fastening of the
sling, and lowered it trife. She did
this with great earnestness, frowning
a little as she worked at the knot.
''Do you think you should keep walk
ing about SO much with your arm hang
ing down? I'm afraid it's not good for
the blood to settle in the wound
cit must go somewhere; just at pres
head. It's very odd sensation / Is feel
ones self blushing like girl. p
s'That is because you are weak. Try
this chair with the broad arm. / will
put the cushions so; could you bear it a
little higher? How is that?"
''Delicious-for a time. But don't
go! / always want something directly
you are gone"
81 had a. little thing I was doing up
stairs" ."
Cant you bring the little thing
DOWN."
Bring down the beds am making ?"
Faith recovered her self-possession
with laugh.
Beds! Do you make beds in this
house ?"
..At present I do; Abby has gone to
Gem"
HAS she? i congratulate you on her
absence. never see her sailing down
the road with those auburn bangs in
the wind, but think of the
"rBright hair uplifted from the head
OF some fierce maenad
The locks of the approaching storm.
Still, the maenad may be convenience
when it comes to making beds
...She is no convenience to me, said
Faith, inhexibly. you ayscongratu-
late me all you like. dote on her very
absence; I haven't been so happy since
I came to the mime
II wonder if any other lady Of the
Occur d'Alene is saying this morning
she is happy. We know that Big Horn
Guleh is union stronghold, but the
seat of war is very near. From what
the doctor tells me there is sure to be
a collision at Gem. When did you say
your father would be home %
Tonight, surely. But everything IL
quiet here, for the reason, as you say,
that here there's no opposition. I am
very anxious about you, though. Al
present they have enough to do else
| where, but If they are successful they
will come back more insolenf than ever
And those men who were waiting fol
you in the woods, they have not for
gotten"
''Ah, well, there is no time to waste
There may be 4hurrying to and fro,' ant
| mounting in hot haste not to speak o.
sudden partings.' And yet ] notice ;
marked falling-of in the attentions 0.
my nurse. When was supposed to b
/ in possible peril she was very nice K
me, but the moment take a favorable
turn, off she goes-to her beds, or he
sweeping, or whatever it is that keeps
her, anywhere but where am. dom
know where you go, and couldn't fol
low you If Il did. You have me at ;
cruel disadvantage"
"You take advantage Of your disad
vantage said Faith, in a low voice.
Scan you blame me? am reducet
to bribery and corruption, to every sor
of subterfuge. My character is il
shreds-all to compass the sight Of yol
i for five minutes once in six hours or SO
/ Pray sit down! That attitude of pre-
meditated fight is very pretty, but !;
makes me horribly nervous.
"Iam restless with all these troubles
l can't sit down." pleaded Faith.
i s.The troubles viii go on without US
/ Why waste time? Is there any nev
d &