Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1901-08-28
White Hand|
Tale Of the Early Settlers ]
/ Of Louisiana. !
9Y AUSTIN C. 6URDEcK I
eY AUSTIN C. 5URDIcK
0VVVS7VVV'VVVVV
CHApTER yII.-fContinued.)

CHAPTER VII.-(COntinued)
Speak TO me, Louise uttered Gou-
part, aow speaking quickly and eagerly,
''and tell me if you have forgotten those
words / used to speak. Have you for
gotten them?"
.fNo-not one
Then let me speak them again. Let
me now speak them as one who knows
the ways of life; and to one who can
judge for herself of the deep meaning
that passing years have given to all those
emotions that have outliyed the destroy
ing wear Of time In the heart where
thine image was first enshrned, none 9th
er has ever come | have cherished your
sweet face, and in humble prayer have /
begged that | might see you once more
on earth And. at times, my soul has
been wild enough in its fights of hope
70 picture that one most holy thought of
all-iife-union with the dearly loved one.
When my feet first touched these shores,
/ dreamed not that | was near to thee.
But found you, and here / sat me down
to pray with more of hope, and to hope
with M, . Of promise. And now, Louise,
let me ak you, as | have asked yoU a
hundred times before, will you be my
wifef"
"Goupart, / have a father whose every
earthly wish is for the good Of his chill
dren, and not for worlds would II
Il understand" said ST. Denis, as the
maiden heaitated and stepped. And be
assured that | would MT ask, even for
life itself at thy hands. against thy no
ble fathers wish. Bit suppose ! ask
him and he bids me take your
Then | am by his permission only
what in heart I.have been for years,
short time longer those two sat there.
and their words had a solemn, prayerful
cast. such as marks tht - 7 gratitude
OF the human soul. and as they walked
towards the house, they spoke not OF the
subject upon which their life joys hung.
1t was already dusk when they reach
ed the hall. and while Louise went TO re-
move her moccasins, st. Denis went to
seek Brion ST. Julien He found him in
his library.
How now, Goupart?" cried the old
man. as his young friend took seat.
What has happenedl Any more. In
dans? What on earth makes you ic0k
90 sober"
Ii is a deep and sober subject which is
GU my mind" answered the youth.
Then ont with il, for l an father con
fessor here"
St Denis knew the marquis too well to
hesitate, and he spoke boldly and to the
point.
My friend be said. that l love ev-
cry member of your Immediate family
must De apparent to you; but you will
not be jealous ii | also inform you that
by love for Louise Is rather stronger
t&an for ans one else"
st. Julien arose and placed his hand
upon the youths head and, while big
tears gathered in his eyes, he saio.
"Goupart. my noble boy. you have
made me the happiest of men. o, have
prayed for this moment many a time.
and now 1t has come Among all my ac.
quaintances, you We're the only one to
whom my lopes could turn. You shall
take my cbld, and you SHAH take me.
am growing lazy, II not old. and not
much longer will Simon remain with me. .
All" uttered the youth, with look
OF relief, is Simon goingY
Yes. He isn't just the man for me
I viii not have dissension, and so we
keep peace: but yet much Of my nephew 5
conduct makes me nervous. do not like
his plans about the estate and YET he
shows an abrupt. wllful spirit if | offer
word Of expostulation. He seems bent
on realizing all the ready money he can
from the place without the least regard
to its future worth and Improvement. I
do not like it, Yes. yes-Simon must
seek some other home"
''Hark." interrupted Goupart What
was that noise%"
Il heard nothing, said the old man.
Let me look NONE l." And thus
speaking. the youth went to the door
end looked out. But he saw nothing He
stepped out into the entry; bat there was
no one there Il must have been mis-
taken" he said. as he returned to the
library and closed the door after him.
All, he did not look in the right place
Had he cast his eyes mp 10 the ceiling
he would have seen a small hole where
the host once had copper pipe lead
down to feed q showering bath. And had
he but gone up into the small lumber
room overhead, he would have found Q
man there. lying fiat. like a serpent viii
his eye to. that small apertuy and h,
would have seen al a CLAM that tn,
watcher could both see and hear ali tha
transpired in the library