St. Landry clarion. (Opelousas, La.) 1890-1921, 1899-04-08
XIIT.-Co CONTINUED.

-
Faith sat beside her unconscious
sleeper, listening to the sounds which
reported all that she ever knew of those
incredible scenes that have gone down
on, the annals of this region as the
massacre Of Fourth of July canyon"
Her senses were blunted, her mind re-
fused to act; her heart crushed the
life out of her with its beating.
Now was the time to say good-by-
not the potential good-by she had bid
den him an hour ago, but the actual
parting, at the brink of the river of
death. Many were crossing the dark
waters to the city of refuge who would
never return. She bent over her sleeper,
and kissed him softly, but the sob that
forced her heart against his aroused
him, and he spoke to her suddenly rim his
natural voice.:
God bless mel" he murmured, while
Ghe held her breath in horror of his
coming to himself at this fatal mo-
ment. ST thought that you kissed me!
Imust be dreawing. Oh, let it be true!
Faith, dear, make it true before I lose
you again"
1T is true said the girl hoarsely,
"and nothing else is true-nothing. I
will never doubt you; Inever did doubt
you. Now go to sleepi Good night,
dear; good night"
He held his breath and looked at her
keeDly. @
'Your lips are cold; your hands are
cold. Why are you saying good night?''
THE boat is late, - said Faith IN a.hol-
low voice. eve cannot go till the boat
comes. You are sick: rest now-do rest;
this is your only chance!"
She put her hands upon him, with
soft, shuddering touches. trying with
all the strength OF her love to master
her fear, that she might have power to
lull him into obliviousness of the awful
sounds of the night. Under the trees it
was quite dusk; he could see nothing,
but she felt that he was listening
What is that fring?"
"only some men, gasped Faith. SO
But what are they shooting at 2"
Shooting? Oh, at mark.
"oh, say! in the dark" laughed
Dareie softly. He was drifting off
again, as his speech betrayed. sAre
they drunk? What are they shouting
nbout?"
TITS the other men who are shout
ing" Faith lied to him, feebly.
what other men? Is this stag pic
nic? o Lordi o Faith, dear!"
Faith hardly knew what he was say
ing, but she welcomed any wildnegs,
profanity ty-anything but his own low,
steady tones.
BE quiet, Darcie, dearl" she whis-
pered. ,t.,s.
~. God bless me, but this. il nice
s'hat a sweet girl you are! HLeaYensi
sshat brute was! Are you ever going
- be friends with me again 2"
He nestled his sick head close to her
mp, contentetly, and gave hinlselfsup
- the exquisite sense of her cold, soft
ouch moving over his. hand in the dark.
Mother Of Grace, the pass is diff
t71lty" whispered the tortured girl It
vas the mother instinct, which can look
Gu uSdIlls IudI tduSHt uSI NaiLIhtss 81
Tais moment, and gave her strength to
exert her love, else one of nature s mira
cSes was wrought; for out ct the an.
enish of her deadly fear came supreme
isst to him she loved. and Darcie slept.
F,is hand slipped from hers, lower and
1swer, and touched the sand; softly she
saved the contact from disturbing him
Te sighed, and breathed more deeply
he was gone, even beyond his conscious
I'sss of her.
She moved tribe, cautiouslgs drew
away her dress, and noiselessly raised
Asrself upon her knees. All along the
STORE she seemed to hear stealthy foot.
Steps and fartiYe, sIeafy rustlings as q
hunter stalking big game. IlleTaTto
firing had ceased, but scattering shots
csme infrequently, one at a time. from
distance. Step hyestep shemoyea 6
little way past the b1shea ard looked
ont. Overhead the clouds were blown
iii wild 1nasses the stars in#tke Ila1Ta
blue fakes of sks between winked peace
fully. while the torn ard dying elnud
signals altercll from ID no7nert ao mo
iasnts Sh dia.tiie peace 0f heaven bid
lbis seasrless, passing hour, that prove