Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1901-11-06
white Hand
"a Tale Of the Early Settlers F.;
{ Of Louisiana. +:
; FT AUSTIN C. 2uRpicK /
FT AUSTIN C. 1uRDicK
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cHApTER ~

kind. and so was the physician Yet
Louise had very severe sickness, and
a part OF the time she was ont of her
head. But gradually the delirium passed
away. and she was at length able to sit
up. Three weeks had she lain thus ere
she could rise from her bed; but on the
fourth week she was able to walk about
the room. 1t was at the close of the
fourth week that her husband returned.
Have | been away longer than you
expected he asked
Ne was the quiet reply, FOR I've
expected nothing about it,
''Ahi' uttered Simon, with show Of
,chagrin.
Il have been TOO sick to expect any
Shing.' explained Louise.
or uttered the husband, more mild
ly.
"Yes-I have been very sick. l even
feared at one time should never see
you again"
There was something so piquapt in this
that Simon was sure there was sarcasm
in it, but he chose not to expose his
doubts.
Il, too. have been laid up" he said,
after gazing into her face for some mo-
ments.
"Ah-how? | noticed your hand was
rolled in rags. What has happened!
Have you been fighting the wicked In
dians?"
Again Simon bit his lip. but he kept
calm.
Il have had a duel on your account"
lis it possible. How was it?''
II heard you nsulted most grossly, and
/ would not bear it,
You should not have horne it, at least.
II you loved your wife. But who was
itY'
"Goupart St Denis"
Louise started.
Explain she said, earnestly and Gag
srly.
"Ha. the name moves you, does itY'
why should it notf You know he
was once lover of mine"
This open avowal, so frank and hon
est, seemed to please Lobois, and he
went ON to explain:
mo matter what was said, but st.
Denis struck me. OF course | challenged
him. We chose swords Xcur father was
present He would have stopped it if he
could, for he feared should get hurt.
las you did"
'Lisren We fenced awhile, and
founs that the boy was at my mercy.
Twice | refused to press my point upon
his open bosom. Finally, when | saw
that 'twould be downright murder for
me to kill him, | babe him put up his
sword. He asked me for what--for he
knew not that | only toyed with him.
This is only boys play, said /. Then
put up your sword said he. | did so.
and just as my point touched the ground
he brought me blow across the hand.
What do you think of that?"
Perhaps | ought not to speak my
thoughts.
Surely you ought. What do you think
of itT'
We'll. then. | think you have told me
very fine story
'Eh? Do you doubt my woFd?"
doubt you? Doubt the word of ST.
mon Lobois? Believe that my own hus-
band could speak falsehoodf Never, 81
mon neV err
Sharply the scamp looked into Louise's
face, but he could detect nothing there,
save a calm, cool expression of utter sim
plieity; yet he knew she was quizzing
him.
But You did not tell me how this all
came AuE. she Ssi4us W nat Uit you
do after Goupart had struck you on the
handp
What could do? My hand was pow
eriess. | might have knocked him down
with my left hand bnt l spared him. He
was beneath all notice, save that of mere
contempt"
Poor Goupart. Did he know how deep
was your contempt for him."
What mean your"
Why simply that you could have in
flieted no worse punishment upon him
than to have let him know that you held
him in contempt, 1t must have nearly
killed him.
Look We, my fine girl. you are ventur-
ing on dangerous ground. You may say
too much" uttered Lobois now showing
his anger.
Louise bowed her head a moment, and
she seemed to think that her companion
spoke the truth. for she quickly replied,
after she looked up:
Excuse me-pardon me. have hut
just recovered from Il severe sickness,
and my first feelings were naturally those
of joy and gladness, and you know how
often you and have joked and pestered
each other We have often said very
hard things in jest, and have even pull
ed your hair till you fairy cried with
pain, and yet you never got provoked be-
fore"
This was spoken so earnestly, and with
so much apparent feeling. that Simon
was Modified in moment.
Let it pass" he said only in future
choose n light occasion for light coiIyer-
sation. And now To something Of more
Importance. When can you be ready
10 20 UP TIE river?"
AT any time" answered Louise.
Very we'll / will see the physician
this evening, and be governed somewhat
by his advice"
Shortly after this Lobois went out. and
when he returned he reported that the
doctor would come in the morning. No
that night Louise was left with Loppa.
and on tn next morning the doctor came,
aud with him came the anxious husband
The former examined his patient care
fully. aud he expressed the opinion that
the wife should not undertake the jour.
ney under a week at least
Then 1 believe | shall 20 to Biloxi
There is a ship ready 10 sail, and have
some business TO do there"
Louise expressed her entire willingness
so Simon resolved to 20. In truth hC
was now expecting soon 10 be master Of
an immense fortune. and he was prepar
lug the way 10 put 1t 20 immediate use
his main object being TO obtain a protta
bile cargo to return to France, whittier
De meant 70 take his wife as soon as h'