The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1901-11-28
THE PRINCEToN UNIoN: THu RsDAY NOV EAIBER IS laol

that bore him. Checking his horse al
the bridges approach and salutinc
Laure laughingly, he said: d
nres vOuz, mademoiselle.' Il
! mo, NJ. Evariste; pass over to this
side. l have something to say to you.'
she replied, and in a moment he was at
her buggy's wheel. h g* r. -=
'Tell me-" said she, what is the
meaning Of this persecution of M. Con-
slant? Is it neighborly? Is it not
abolitionist?"
Il have no part: in the business, be-
lieve me-" he answered. ut is not the
sort of thing to interest me. My brother
affects philosophy, humanitarianism, al
truism and other isms which appeal to
his emotional nature, but which have
no charm for me, and it seems he has
undertaken the affair as a knight of
old would sally forth to chop the head
off a dragon"
ITO win fair lady" Laure furnish
ed the conclusion from her reading of
the Trouveres in the old books sent to
her grandmother by the brother who
Esd served the emperor in Egypt.
Il do not comprehend, mademoiselle,"
said Evariste "Who can be the fair
lady of this exploit?''
"Estelle Latiolais'' She shot the
name at him, intently watching his
face. It flushed; hers paled. But, fore
ing smile, he answered:
'You are but guessing, mademoiselle.
Horace has not seen Mile. Latiolais
since she went away to the convent
near four years ago."
1T is you who guess, and badly. The
grandchild of the doctress needs not
to guess. Attend to me. The night
Leon ran away he went to your broth
er, sent by Estelle, with her request
| that he would procure the rogue's free
dom. At the very moment M. Constant
was leathering the wretch as he de-
served your brother was pressing the
hand Of Estelle Latiolais passionately
In his and pledging himself to the
scheme for her sake.''
How can you have knowledge of
these things?" His eyes and voice be-
trayed agitation.
"How can you be ignorant Of them
who see your brother every day and
the lady but little less often?' She
saw her advantage.
'"This Is no answer, mademoiselle."
he said peevishly.
IF could feel under duty" said
Laure, signing, and, catching a warmer
look in the young mans eyes, she add
ed with an air Of trusting frankness:
but will tell you, NJ. Evariste, how
l know, for, though have not convent
education and accomplishments, I am
not one to smile and conceal, pretend
and deceive. Know, then, that old
Olive, Icons mother, comes frequently
to my grandmother and to her has told
these things as she learned them from
Odette, the maid of Estelle. They are
true. No one dares lie to the doctress."
"Probably. thank you, mademoi-
selle. Good night" The young man
raised his hat with his right hand as he
frightened the bride with his left.
"But!' exclaimed Laure, as if to stay
him; then, suddenly changing her pur.
pose, amiably repeated Good night
monsieur" and, crossing the bridge
tolled slowly up one bank, while Eva
riste's horse bounded up the other like
chamois over an Alpine wall.
He gave bride and spur to the fleet
animal, whose speed was timed to the
storm that ragged within his breast.
His brows were drawn downward and
together, and from under them his eyes
looked fercely, but saw only the i'm
ages created by his frenzy. He could
but believe that his frequent visits and
warmth of manner had plainly notified
to Estelle his passion, though it was as
yet undeclared in speech, and the os-
tentatlous suavity of her reception of
him, as he now regarded it. was suffi-
cient warrant for confidence that his
devotion was acceptable. His brothers
patronizing munifcence and studied
show Of candor had lulled him into a
sense Of security against any possible
clash between their desires. Yet those
two had met on a memorable day. An
arduous task had been imposed by her
and taken up by him, which necessa-
r1ly implied reciprocal regard and trust,
reward of the tenderest nature and the
hope thereof. Their hands had clasped.
and he, for the guerdon of her favor,
had set forth in a venture perilous
alike to his life and his political pros
poets.
Only perfect understanding of the
most ardent character could explain all
this, so skillfully hidden from him.
Horace, taking advantage Of his eva
riste's) dependence in fortune, was ruth
lessly trampling his heart underfoot,
for he could not but have known his
love for Estelle. Should he submit to
be thus ignored in that which was most
vital to his happiness? Would life in
such submission be worth living? No;
thousand times no! Horace boosted
American bravery. Evariste would
meet it with trait, inherited from
his ancestor, which had contributed to
deepen the red of the French revolu-
ton. The unguided courage of his