The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1901-11-13
MAS TER
on9 SLAVE
Ey z. II. Thorpe.
Copyright, 1901, by T. Il. Thorpe.
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CONTINUED

The obliging Yankee took the job
off my hands so far as Oakfell was
concerned"
81 suppose" Laure commented, eva
riste will now think he can persuade
Estelle Latiolais to marry him aud will
speed his steps accordingly"
81 hope So" said Quillebert, still
pleased. 'sIt would be fit punish
ment for her, and my vengeance would
be satisfied"
"He shall not marry her." Iaure ex'
claimed hotly.
"And you shall not marry him." re-
torted Quillebert in sudden rage.
"Let him say that, not you. My
grandmother never used shall or shall
not to me. Then do not waste your
energy in laying commands upon me-
You cannot steal my liberty as you did
the negro Jockeys"
Laure's defiance was pronounced with
such fire, contempt and insinuated
threat that QuiNebert quailed beneath
her flashing eyes, and, swallowing the
coarse retort that rose to his lips, he
whistled a prolonged note Of mock sur
prise and walked to the room where
his treasure Of brandy was stored. But
he stif1y resolved that Evariste should
wed Estelle and in that connection took
from his strong box bundle Of papers
bearing the signature Of Leonidas La
tiolais. Selecting two, he read them
carefully and tied them il . separate
parcel, which he laid away by itself.
To the curious Evariste's grief was
evidenced by his self seclusion. For
the space Of a week be was not seen
at the Latiolais home, Quillebert's place
or Dede's cabaret. He immured him
self behind locked doors at IL L'Espe-
rance" and Mrs. Wyley saw him only
at meals. She, good soul, was over
whelmed by sorrow. She could not
trust herself to mention the dreadful
rumor to Evariste, even to question its
verify. But he, when alone, passed his
time otherwise than in mourning. It
was a busy week with him. he count
ed and recounted the money he had
boarded. since his brothers departure,
calculated over and over his gains
from the contraband ventures exploited
with Quillebert, scanned repeatedly the
written obligations Of old man Latio-
lais which he had purchased from the
Frenchnan; but, though the effort in.
vol7ed the full measure Of his strength,
he refrained from opening the sealed
envelope which Horace had delivered
into his hand before marching to the
dangers Of battle. He contented him.
self for the present with the belief that
it contained g disposition in his favor
Of all the Oakfeu estate. The thoughts,
schemes and resolves which occupied
him during those seven days were such
as consume or scar the soul, and he
came forth with hardened countcEance,
compressed lips, cruel eyes and con-
tracted brows.
His first call was on Estelle, whose
pale face and stricken look stirred his
secret resentment She greeted him
sadly and. almost weeping, said:
Tell me, my friend, that you do not
believe this awful news about your
brother; that you have good reason TO
disbelieye it"
"Alas, nademoiselle," he replied, af-
fectins a distress he did not feel, "l
have no more reason for belief than the
existence Of the rumor and none for
disbelief other than the absence of Off
cial or authoritative co-roboration. l
can only hope that Horace still lives"
"God grant he lives! God grant he
livesp she murnured, sinking into a
chair.
"Amen to that" said Evariste solemn
". sBut should the all wise God have
decreed differently, I pray you, made
moiseue, to feel assured that you have
in me a friend and protector as devoted
and as brave as he, though not as gift
ed"
eyes, yes" She seemed to be speaking
to herself without locking at her Wis
itor. "He said so and bade me trust
his brother. But God grant be lives!
God grant he lives!'
"Estelle, am l never to be regarded
by you save as the suggestion Of an
other man? Can you not see''- Her
surprised and panied glance apprised
him that he was betraying anger, and
he checked the utterance Of harsh
words that sprang from his heart, Tor
he knew his time was not yet ripe
while chance remained that Horace
still survived.
pardon me, mademoiselle," he added
humbly. "My distress has made me o
sick man, irritable beyond my power
Of self control. will not come to you
again until I am better
81 hope that will be soon,'' she said.
giving him her hand.
He next sought Dede's. Passing
Ouiuebert's house, be was halted by
Laure.
y our DrOluSI-!S IL - OS IH"" HS 40
dead?" she asked.
ST do not know" he answered.
''What do you belie7e?"
Nothing"
"What does she believe" pointing
toward Estelle's home.
"She mourns for him"
sThat is more than you will do"
"Why"
ssFor a reason will not state"
s'Do you know the reason?" he asked
testify.
81 do not. Il sense it. l inherit that
from my grandmother"
ssBah, Laure! That is nonsense,
which you did not inherit from the doc
tress.'
ssHave it your own way. But there is
a second reason why you will not
mourn"
What is thatY
Because you will not be sorry"
ado Won not think you are ovsrStep-