Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1901-10-02
White Hand
"A Tale Of the Early Settlers !
! of Louisiana. T;
nv AEKSYIAs n peIrnKNK
BY AUSTIN C. eURpIcK
@9@@@@@@%%@@@%@@~@%
CHAPTER XIv.-tContinued !

Now answer me solemn question:
Where is my brothcri"
Your Drother?'' Simon uttered, start
ing in spite of himself. What should
know OF him?"
But do YOU not know Of himT' she
asked, looking him steadily in the eye.
I dc not" But he trembled while he
spoke he could not help it.
Bot you know he was seized By the
Indians on the same night that ! was
How should | know
Simon. it is strange that you have
never once asked me concerning the event
of ms .bduction,'
'I-I--a--have had enough to think
OF without that My love for you has
engrossed my every thought, and claimed
my whole attention"
Then you know nothing Of him."
.I-I--why, how on earth should IT.
Never mind. If you do not. then that
Is enough. Now, appoint the time for
tue wedding when you will.
II shall be this very day"
AS you will. II it must be so, care
not for time. Henceforth all times are
alike to me-"
'Ay, sweet Louise, all of joy
'Yes-such joy as the lost child feels
in the deep wood; such JOY as the poor
orphan feels when she stands by the
cold corpse of her dead parents"
Nonsense! But come: you shall find
better quarters than these"
So Simon Lob0is led his promised bride
forth from the prison house back to the
dwelling from whence she had been tax
en- on the previous night, and then he
went out to hunt up some more lifting
garh for her to wear He went 10 the
Governor, and there he succeeded in pur-
chasing a suitable habit II was a dress
made after the fashion OF the times, OF
pale blue silk with scarlet facings, and
worked with silver lace and thread. 1t
belonged originally to one Of Perier' 5
daughters, bIt she had never yet worn
it. il having been made for her wedding
dress, and her lover dying on the eve Of
marriage.
The dress fitted Louise to a fault, and
when thus prepared. she suffered herself
10 be led TO the church, for Simon had
determined that there should be no sub
sequent question about the legality of his
marriage When they entered the rude
church they found quite a number Of
people collected, and the aged priest was
there in his robes
The poor girls head ached, and when
she stood before the priest she trenbled
violently. and even Simon was startled
when he saw how pale she looked
$50 on, she whispered 20. go on.
aad let me out from here, or | shall die"
The priest commenced the Ceremony,
- 4 H. - n 10
tnctly. Then the holy man turned TO
the bride, and he asked her the usual
questions. She looked up. and in faint
forced voice, she replied:
TO the best of my abilities ! will do
all this"
What more could human law require?
Even Simon was surprised for he had
feared she would hesitate. But he knew
not how sick and faint she was, and that
she might have answered thus promptly
in order to hasten the ceremony. for she
wanted fresh air. The ceremony was fin
ished, and the nuptial tie had been form
ed, and the marriage was registered in
the great parchment book of the clerk.
The fee was paid and then the bride.
groom turned away.
In heavens name, my wife" cried
Simon. as they reached the open air.
what is the matter? What is 1t that
thus affects yan?"
%, am sick-sic as DEATH" was the
faint reply. "Hasten hasten TO our
home, or shall fail and sink by the
wayside!"
Simon saw that his companion spoke
the truth, and with quick steps he hur-
red on. sometimes bearing his bride in
HIS arms, and anon helping her to walk.
At length they reached their dwelling,
aud Loppa was at once sent for the ply
stefan. The old man came. and at a
glance he saw that his patient had re-
lapse Of her fever. and this time he shook
his head as be remarked:
We can't drive it off this time, Mon
sieur I4obois. 1t is firmly seated, and
must have its run hut the lady has
sound constitution SO you need appre-
hcnd 40 danger Bat she has not fol-
vowed any directions, i am sure or she
would not thus have sunk Has she had
the nutritious food | orderedG"
SIMON stammered ont a reply TO the eff
feet that the negro woman might have
neglected it.
The physician dealt ont his medicine,
and having given directions for the care
Of his patient, he retired. Simon pro.
cured for his wife another attendant. SO
as 10 have two Of them and then he in
formed Louise that his business called
him UP the river
To the chateau" asked she. family.
YES was in hopes that you would
have accompanied me, but that is now
impossible However, | must go, though
| shall return as soon as possible"
And what will yen tell my f3therT'
Simply that sou are my wife or
course ! shall explain how | rescued you
from the savases. and how, in return,
claimed your hand. But have prepared
the hest Of care for you during my alb
sence. and YOU shall not want for any
thing The physician will Dc regular in
his visits, and | hope to find yoU well
when | retl rn."
The invalid betrayed no sorrow at the
departure Of her husband. nor did she
exhibit any extended signs Of deep affec-
tion at his adieu She closed her eyes
as nc spoke the parting words, nor did
she open them again until old Ioppa eame
aud Whispered in her ear that her hus-
hand was gone.
CHAPTER Ky.
Up aud down the. wide walk in the gar.
den paced Briou st. Julien aud Goupart
st Denis The old man was pale and