The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1901-10-30
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OakfelI added, this intimacy between
them compels me to suggest, ma
demoiselle, that nothing be said to
your grandfather Of Leon's visit to me
or Of my intentions in his behalf. l
pray you will not feel ofense at the
suggestion
"Not in the least" she answered him.
cit is well founded and just and shall
be respected When will you begin:"
81 cannot say" be replied. 'The work
Of preparation may occupy me until
fan.'
sT will earnestly pray God and the
Virgin to aid and to bless you and to
enable me, though but an ignorant and
feeble girl, to be Of some use in so just
a cause" said Estelle.
"Your good will shall be my sufficient
stay" said Oakfell, offering his hand in
adieu, and the touch produced q dell
cious shock that sent the blood bound
ing through his veins in manner new
to his experience.
AS be rode away with knightly
bow Estelle turned to her maid, who
had Ioitered unseen within hearing dis
tance Of the conversation, and said:
"I am so glad that sent Leon to him.
am so happy that he came to see me.
Now am sure did not do wrong and
that he will never yield to injustice.
What q handsome, good face he has,
Odette"
"Oh, mamseIle, he is among men
what you are among women, the first
Of the goodr' answered Odette. lie is
the only one fit for you, and you are the
only one fit for him"
What are you thinking Of, silly
thing? Mr.. Oakfen is not Catholic,
and I am," said Estelle, family pout-
ing.
81 know be is not a Catholic" the
maid replied, 'tbut, for all that he is
the best man in the parish. I have
heard Father Grhe say that"
Father Grhe has honest and correct
opinions, and whatever he says I be-
Ieve. But Mrs. Oakfell will very likely
be one Of those bold American beauties
on Bayou Beuf, not the shy and stu
pid little creole OF Bayou Rouge" Es-
telle said plaintiyely.
"Ah, my sweet mistress, IL you had
seen NJ. Oakfell's face as I saw it when
you gave him your hand for goodby
you would not talk so. And if he looks
for beauty, which one of>the American
ladies can compare with Namselie La
tiolais? Beauty is not everything to
such as NJ. Oakfell, nor boldness, nor
money. Something better than all these
he will want-the good, true heart, and
no American lady has heart Of pearl
3ike my mistress" The slave girl spoke
warmly and Loyalty, and Estelle ran
into the house to conceal the bushes
Of happiness these words brought to
her cheeks.
At sunset the grandfather returned.
His step was slow and his countenance
grave and troubled. Sinking wearily
into a chair on the veranda, he closed
his eyes as If to shut out an unwelcome
visitor to his memory and thus sat 81
lent and brooding when Estelle ap-
preached and tightly kissed his brow.
care you sick, my dear grandfather?'
she asked.
"In spirit, yes, otherwise no. my dear
little girl" he replied.
sThen what is it that has given de-
spondency to my good old child?''
"Ah, little Estelle, you are the child
too tender and sensitive to hear the
shocking thing that has saddened my
soul this evening"
ssNo," she protested; you misjudge
me. am strong enough to share with
you all your griefs and must do so or
fail in my duty. Then tell me what dis
tresses you. Did you not go to NJ.
Quillebert's, and was it not there this
thing has happened? Tell your Estelle."
eyes, my angel, I will tell you, for I
must speak to some one. I rode over to
Constants TO. spend an hour with him.
AS I passed his stables I heard the
strokes Of the whip falling heavily
upon flesh and a low moan following
each blow. I FASTENED on to the house
and had alighted at the gate when
Constant came out Of the stables, OK
whip in hand, breathless and almost
speeches.. The savage fury Of his face
frightened me. He sent negro boy on
one Of his fastest horses to bring DR.. De
Roux. When he had rested somewhat
and restored himself with brandy. he
told me his jockey, Leon. went away