The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1901-12-26

month when Evariste, attired in the
latest of the ctty's modes, alighted
from his buggy at Mother Deshau-
telles' gate. Though he had driven the
long distance from Red River landing.
on the Mississippi, where he disem-
barked from the steamboat ON his re-
turn from a visit to New Orleans. he
appeared neither travel stained nor
heated. Rather he looked spotless and
cool. Laure, in gown Of stuff which
might have been woven Of the spiders
web and which chung lovingly to her
perfect figure, welcomed him with a
warmth of manner which would have
proved fatal to any of her 20 Cas-
conoid admirers. Her beauty, though
dark, was rich, dazzling and dangerous.
and she knew it. She realized the DOW
er of smile made up of glisteninc
teeth and parted carmine lips. The CLINT
ing of deep brown eyes, the arch pose
Of a pretty head and the springing
}tep of dainty feet were a poem Of
health and vitality of her own compost
ton. But the narrow forehead and
mouth spoke as much of will as of
love-
She led Evariste to the shaded veran-
da and, serving him draft Of refresh
ing wine, said:
Nov tell me, great traveller that YOU
are, all about the wonders of the grand
city, for you know I have never been
there
'Oh, no." he replied. II saw no Won
ders except miles Of steaming streets
and swarms of sweltering people,"
Nothing short of Paris for YOU.
then?" said Laure.
"Well, I might compromise on Wen
ma or possibly Nice. But see, Laurc,
what bring you" Evariste took from
his pocket a small packet, opening
which she discovered a dainty Russia
leather and satin lined case, with gold
en- initials IL. L." inlaid upon it and
within it the watch given her by Quille-
bert, which Evariste had taken to be
repaired in New Orleans. Lifting the
watch, she discovered at the end of the
chain charm, a gold crescent studded
with wine red rubies and sparkling dia-
monds.
She could not speak her delight at
once, but looked in an ecstasy from the
jewel to the young man and from him
to the jewel-her face would then have
been an artists treasure-until words
came to her, when she exclaimed:
''From you to me?
IF you will accept" he said,
II DO accept" she cried, land shall
prize this crescent as the most precious
of my possessions. But what will Es-
telle say?''
What will Quillebert say?' returned
Evariste, with some shade Of irritation
in his voice.
"Why?" asked Laure, startled.
He gave you the watch and chain,"
he said.
"And she gave you the''- She check
ed herself and bit her lip in vexation.
''The what, Laure? Say it and let it
CO."
''Forgive me, my friend. Yes, let it
go and with it any thought Of those
two persons who''-
''Let us not speak i'll Of the absent,
but talk Of other things. Be prepared
for unWelcome news from the city later
on. Quillebert will lose the suit"
''Why do you say that?"
Because I heard the arguments in
the supreme court and thought I OBJ
served their effect upon the judges and
the assembled lawyers. The whole
matter is exceedingly distasteful to me,
as you know; still could not we'll de-
cline my brothers invitation to be pres
ent at the trial of the appeal. Zabourin
made a learned and forcible effort for
Quillebert, quoting authorities and
drawing deductions which appeared
absolutely unanswerable. But Horace,
with an ease at which marveled, met
every proposition, and his irresistible
logic picked it into shreds. He ex-
posed the sophistries Of Zabourin's con-
tention and flung them aside. With
childlike simplicity of language he
made Icons case so plain that every
layman understood the principles on
which it rested as thoroughly as did
the most learned lawyer. and with the
eloQuence that comes of unaffected
earnestness he held up the justice and
equity supporting the decision of Judge
Tailleur. He appeared to carry every
man within hearing Of his voice, and
when he concluded it seemed that all
doubts Of the righteousness of his case
had been demolished. His peroration
was beautiful and pathetic without
being theatrical-in fact, was what
they call prose poem. I was as much
amazed as any Of his hearers could
have been. cannot divine when and
where lie got all the wealth and vari-
ETY. of learning he displayed in that ad-
Dress"
Laure was interested, but not pleas
ed. by Evariste's glowing account of
his brothers brilliant and mastery ora
tory.
where is M. Horace?" she asked.
"Ee came up on the boat with you?"
mo. Why?"