The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1901-11-13
CHAPTER MI.
--r .1I- SrpnElyE

NM was GACSpl!OudIIS LOl oul
~ dry even for the climate Of
Louisiana. Navigation Of the
Mississippi's tributaries was
impracticable. The baked alluvior
crumbled into a depth Of impalpable
dust, which rose in clouds at the dis
turbance Of a dogs trot. The stiff
lands were Of stony hardness. Creamy
white lay the cotton fields on eithel
side Of the bayous to the green border:
of the moss hung swamps, and the
beds Of the deep, yawning bayous
themselves could almost be traversed
dry shod.
1t was afternoon at the close Of the
month when Evariste, attired in the
latest of the city's modes, aliGhted
from his buggy at Mother Deshau
telles' gate. Though lie had driven the
long distance from Red River landing
on the Mississippi, where he disem
barked from tie steamboat on his re
turn from a visit to New Orleans, he
appeared neither travel stained mol
heated. Rather be looked spotless anC
cool. Laure, IN 4 gown Of stuff which
might have been woven Of the spiders
web and which clung lovingly to heI
perfect figure, welcomed him with :
warmth Of manner which would have
proved fatal to any Of her 20 Gas
conoid admirers. Her beauty, though
dark, was rich, dazzling and dangerous
and she knew it. She realized the pow
er Of q smile made up Of glisteninG
teeth and parted carmine lips. She CLINT
ing of deep brown eyes. the arch pose
Of q pretty head and the springins
step Of dainty feet We're l poem OF
health and vitality Of her own compost
ton. But the narrow forehead and
mouth spoke as much Of will rs OF
love.
She led Evariste to the shaded veran
da and, serving him draft Of refresh
ing wine, said:
'tNow tell me, great traveller that yor
are, all about the wonders Of the grand
city, for you know I have never been
there"
"Oh, no." he replied. 81 saw no won
ders except miles Of steaming streets
and swarms Of sweltering people"
Nothing short Of Paris for you
then?" said Laure.
'Well, might compromise on Wen
na or possibly Nice. But see, Laure
what bring you" Evariste took FROM
his pocket q small packet, opening
which she discovered dainty Russia
leather and satin lined case, with gold
en- initials IL. L." inlaid upon it and
within it the watch given her by guile
bert, which Evariste had taken to be
repaired in New Orleans. Lifting tho
watch, she discovered at the end Of the
chain q charm, q gold crescent studded
with wine red rubies and sparkling dia'
monds.
She could not speak her delight al
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-"
eff you will accept" he said.
81 do accept" she cried, "and 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 yexation.
'The what, Laure? Say it and let il
CO."
Forgive ne. my friend. Yes, let Il
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. Quilleb.rt will lose the suit"
"Why do you say that?'
Because I heard the arguments Il
the supreme court and thought OBJ
served their effect upon the judges ant
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. Zabourir
made a learned and forcible effort fol
Quillebert, quoting authorities an6
drawing deductions which appeared
absolutely unanswerable. But Horace
with an ease at which I 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 or
which it rested as thoroughly rs die
the most learned lawyer. and with the
eloquence that comes Of unaffected
earnestness be held up the justice ant
equity supporting the decision Of Judge
Tailleur. He appeared to carry every
man within hearing Of his voice, anc
when he concluded it seemed that al
doubts Of the righteousness Of his case
had been demolished His peroratior
was beautiful and pathetic without
being theatrical-in fact, was what
they call a prose poem. was as much
amazed as any oe his hearers coulC
have been. | cannot divine when anC
where he 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 NJ. Horace?' she asked
stEe came up on the boat with your
"No. Why"
"Oh, nothing. only supposed he ha6
returned with you and stopped at Es