The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1901-10-30
She eaoas una,rarc of Quillebcrt'S presence.


swamp in the direction Of Mother De-
shautelles' house, leaving Dede with
bristling b7ovs drawn down, bloated
chin lowered to his chest and counte-
nance Of tarnished brass wrapped in
an expression of deep cogitation.
The dwelling Of the doctress was a
tight and durable cottage built of cy-
press logs daubed with mud. resting
upon pillars of cypress butts, arranged
into four large chambers, which We're
divided by 4 broad hallway. with the
inevitable deep veranda in front and
the usual kitchen accessories IN the
rear. It's site was an eminence, geo.
logical alteration in this region Of dead
levels, where swamp forest broke upon
the bare aliuvion at the junction OF
Bayous Rouge and Des Glaises. Moth
er Deshautelles had never had slaves
Of her own or planting interests, but
had made the income Of q small for
tune inherited in France suffice for the
frugal yet comfortable maintenance OF
herself and daughter and, after the lat
ter's death, her granddaughter Laure.
In former years she had been much in
demand as midwife and sick nurse.
Her rewards enabled her to hire q
negro man to cultivate her garden and
provide fuel and woman for kitchen
and COW sheds; also to purchase the
largest, stoutest Of buggies and the
most powerful Of mules to draw 1t. for
she was person Of heroic stature, and
now in cctcccnarian years her obesity
was such that only with much labor
could she walk from room to room.
Her journeyings, accomplished with
exertion and discomfort, were limited
to attendance at the mass at Easter
and Christmas and responses in ex-
treme cases to the calls OF neighbors
who had exceptional claims to her con-
sideration. Her massive head and face
were Of leonine majesty. The thick
white hair and undimmetI eyes still
spoke strength Of character. She was
in truth 3 woman of forceful person
anty, respected by the intelligent, fear
ed by the ignorant and superstitious.
A short distance within the swamp
lay a shallow marais. or pond. choked
with water lilies and swarming with
ecrevisses, the red crayfsh OF Lou
isiana. Bareheaded, barefooted and
ankle deep in the marais stood Laure,
with hoop net at the end Of Il long,
slight staff, scooping ecrevisses into a
basket on her arm for the making Of
broth for the evenings meal. So in
tent was she in the pursuit that she
was unaware Of Quillebert's presence
until, after silently feasting his pru-
rient eyes upon the firm, trim limbs
and brown and red cheeks Of the un-
conscious girl. he laughed aloud and
accosted her:
cha, little Gasconne, what picture
the forest. the marais, the lilies, the
nut brown maid with twinkling feet
and blushing cheek! Father Grhe has
no painting in his church at Mansura
to match this one in my church. the
great church Of nature"
M. Constant" she cried, ut is not
nice to creep out Of the bushes at one
like this! Go away-at least until l
can put on my stockings and shoes"
The flush in her face was for surprise,
but the sparkle In her black eyes was
not for offense.
.I will not bulge an inch." he said.
80 come out, my nymph. for l want
your aid"
"Glad to be Of service to you, n. Con-
stant. but will not stir step till you
are out Of view," said Laure, with a
resoluteness which he saw it was use
less to combat. He knew she would
stand there like statue until the stars
came out if her demand was not com.
piled with.
"And how long shall be kept oct ce
view. my empress"
when I am ready" she replied, .!
will sing
Soldier, soldier, rlarry, marry me.
"Rut that will bring every gallant
within hearing Of your siren voice" )"
said Quillebert, land crave 4 secret
conference with you"
"Then I will sing so low that only
the Chevalier Constant de Quillebert
shall hear" she said, with mock air
of lofty assurance
pray abbreviate the banishment OF
your languishing knight as much as
you can, for
"I have little to say
And ia- to go.
Quick. dear, quick!'
rejoined Quillebert and rode back into
the forest.
T,,.o c4ool until aba