The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1901-11-20

"Well?'
81 accept your proposition" he said
family. within 60 days Estelle La
tiolais shall be my wife"
"Honcw grunted Quillebert. "Set
about it a. once
Il will begin tomorrow
"Goodw Quillebert rose. Reaching
the door, he stopped and said: IAN odd
thing has occurred. Ny little pistol,
the one kept under my pillow at night
and in the armoir during the day, has
disappeared"
"Whom do you suspects" Evariste
asked, forcing a show Of interest.
Il do not suspect any one yet. Laure
is the only other person who knew
where the weapon was. But l will
discover the thief" said Quillebert con-
fdently, and, mounting his horse, he
rode away.
EvariSte returned to his room to
brood over the particulars Of this most
disturbing interview. The importance
which Laure had assumed as q factor
in his life startled him as he now real
lied it. The mention Of her name in
connection with the missing pistol
caused him an uneasiness, too, he could
not shake off. Her passion, protesta-
tions, warnings and prophecies pre-
sented her to his harassed thoughts as
an impediment to his purpose, mex
orable and mysterious.
The self denials imposed on the peo-
pie by the conditions of civil war he
had escaped through means Of the
contraband trade so successfully prose
cuted by the genius Of Quillebert. From
France he stocked his larder and buff
fet; from Paris he supplied his ward
robe. Hence, when, after a night Of
fe7erish unrest, he set out in quest Of
his bride he was arrayed, primmed and
perfumed as became a gallant of the
bouleyards, extensively incongruous to
the neighbors clad in homespun, the
broken fences and grass grown fields
he passed on the dusty bayou road.
There was unrest, 100, at the La
tiolais home. Age, dissipation, hyp-
notes and remorse were Fastening the
grandfather to wreck and miserable
death. Night after night he walked his
room with shaking step, sleepless and
bemoaning his impotence to recoup his
own and Estelle's estates or conceal
the unworthy methods by which be
had incumbered them to crafty his
low appetites. Her written authority
to mortgage for maintenance, unques-
tioningly conferred on his advice, he
had meanly used to protect his gam
bling debts and bills for rum and NOR
phine, leaving the legitimate accounts
,lnliouidated, unsecured and bearing
ruinous interest. His perfdy would be-
come known to Estelle and the world
J at his death, now fast approaching;
his memory would be execrated by all
honest men; his grandchild would in
herit only poverty and his disgrace.
The sole escape lay in her preceding
him to the grave; his only hope was to
die before the storm broke. These
soading, unrelenting thoughts banished
sleep; distress gave free current to his
tears, whether alone CT in the presence
Of Estelle; the coma Of opium was his
refuge.
When Odette announced Evariste.
Estelle, tenderly ministering to the ven
erable sufferer, was on the point Of
leading him to stroll in the garden
among flowers she herself had planted,
nursed and reared into loveliness. At
the name Of the visitor tremor passed
over the wasted frame Of the old man,
but he looked beseechingly at his COM
panion and said:
"Go to him, child, and receive him
pleasantly. He has been our very
| solicitous friend. Do not keep him
waiting. Odette will assist me into
the house when I become fatigued."
She left him with Odette and pro-
ceeded to her parlor.
She was gowned in simple white. A
deep collar about her neck was clasped
by a medallion portrait Of her mother
in miniature. The pale brow deepened
the hue Of her soft brown hair The
eyes Of dark hazel, large and liquid.
the small mouth Of perfect curves and
the finely nodded chin gave beauty
to her face which was eloquent OF af-
fection, truth and patience-the beauty
which subdues by it's gentleness, COM
pels by it's sweetness, the beauty which
refnes prosperity and hallows afdic-
ton.
ut is kind of you to call, my friend,
for our house is sadly in need of cheer"
she said, greeting Evariste.
mo misfortune has come to you, l
hope" he replied, seeking, yet dread
ing, q suggestion for the declaration he
was resolved to make. 'You have not
been ill?"
"No; must not fall sick, for there
would then be no one to nurse my poor
grandfather"
"Is he not as usual:"
"Much worse than usual. am sore
" distressed over his state. He is rap
Idly failing. Sleep and appetite are
denied him. He is grieTing over some
imaginary or real trouble which he
keeps secret to himself. Oh, why could
not this good old gentleman be rescued
from that wicked man Quillebert?"
"Mademoisene, labored for thsz
sincerely"
~ believe you; indeed, I believe you.
It was not to complain Of you that l
spoke. It was only to bewail the hard
fate. fear it is now too late"
sHow too late?" asked Evariste IN
tone Of concern.
81 do not think my grandfather will
live through the summer. am sure
he will not unless he can be relieved Of
the mental anxiety that is so fast con-
suming his strength" Estelie's eyes
began to we'll over as she made this
, gloomy prediction.
"Mademoiselle, what would you do,
1o,, oy;va to o11ra NJ a.