Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1901-11-13
CHAPTER XXIII.

CHATTER ANIL.
Louise went on and told her startling
story. and as she did so, more than one
bright look OF holy gratitude was cast
upon the beautiful Coqualla.
"And now" said she, in conclusion, II
am able to give you some clue to the great
mystery which underlies the whole.
When Stung Serpent was upon his death
bed. he sent for me, and he told me all,
and he gave me this paper in token OF
his truth. Read 1t, father, and know
what villain you have kept beneath
your room"
As Louise handed her father the paper,
Simon Lobois started to his feet.
Back shouted Louis, springing for
ward and pushing him back into his
chair. TONY, watch this man. and see
that he does not leave the ROOM"
Old Tony, who had stood by and heard
all, now moved to Simon's side. and as
the villain gazed upon the huge bulk of
the negro, he uttered stifed groan, and
settled back.
The marquis read the paper aloud 1t
was as follows:
This is my boud that | will pay -
Stung Serpent one hundred large pes
OF gold, in French coin. when he sh"n
have removed Louis and Louise St
lien from their home. And he, on hrs
part. promises that said Louis shall be
killed, and that Louise shall be sent safe
" to the middle trail on Lake Pontehar-
train. SIMON LOBOlS.
That was enough. Simon denied it all.
then swore, then drew his sword. and
then-Tony knocked him down; and ese
long afterwards he was taken from he
room.
Before noon, Louise had contrived.
with Coqualla's assistance, to remove the
last stain from her skin, and when she
stood, all white and pure, she saw a tear
on Coqualla's dark cheek.
What is it," she asked.
Nothing" was the reply.
"Ah, tell me the truth. Coqualla will
not deceive her sister"
Mono nurmured the noble girl.
throwing her arms about Louise's neck,
and pilowing her head upon her bosom.
"But You will forgive me. Coqualia has
left her people forever. but she has not
left her skin"
But tell me all. my sister"
"Coqualla loved the White Hand, and
she was only sister. Now Coqualla has
seen another 18th the same beautiful
face. But she does not murmur She is
content; only"
60 on. my sister. Tell me an
IF Coqua.ia was white, she could love;
| o, my sister does not know how she
| could hav. been loved had she not been
| Coqualla's sister,
| Louise had read the girls secret, and
rs she gazed into those soft, mild fea-
! lures. she uttered, with all the truth Of
/ her soul:
"Coqualla does not need winter skin.
/ She is beautiful enough. know Co
! qualla's heart. and her face is as pure as
! That
The maiden princess blessed her sister.
and wiped away her tears, for. she heard
some one coming.
On the next morning the room where
Simon Lobois had been put was found
1 empty, and the slave Peter was also
found to be missing; but no search was
/ made for them. for the one was worth
less aud the other carried quit enough
TO punish him with its shame and bur
den.
Aud now joy was once more in st. Ju-
liens household Goupart and Louise
wandered about together. and for a while
Louis was taft alone. for the only other
young person with whom he could asso-
riatc seemed to shun him. One day
/ Louise drew her brother one side, and
whispered with him. for she had that
morning found Coqualla in tears. and the
poor princess had murmured the thought
of going back 10 the homes OF her fathers
to lie down by their graves. But wha'
Louise said to her brother may not bt
known--only. an Cur later, Louis aat
, Loqua!.a walked sway down in the gar
den.
At length the old cure, Father Languct
made his visit to the chateau, asd Their,
was work for HIN 10 dc Goupart an,
| Louise were made one 70 life. and thi
time the blushing girl wa. fastened
, Rut the work ended not here I.ouh
E st. Julien had spent many hours witt
: Coquala. for he had become her teacher
and he had opened to her mind th'
, riches OF the Great Book. And Will
] she had studied that. he had studied her
, At hrst he was su ,prjsed at the won
, drouS depth of her mind. but he was n
I less awed by its sublime purity and grsn
= deur of conception. And thus he probe,
r her heart to its Utmost depths, and b
Z found il as noble and pure as it was gen
2 erous and loving, Ere he knew it. h
| had loved her. and almost unconscious
t the story Of his love dropped from hi
5 lips
z "Coqualla,' he whispered, thou dds
= love my sister for her face. Mine is lk
f il Love me. then. and be mine for life
e | love thee. for thou art all love an
E purity 10 me-
: Aud Coqualla placed one Of her sof
b hands in his, and then rested her hea