Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1901-08-21
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|WhiteHaIld|
"a Tale Of the Early Settlers !
/ Of Louisiana. /
BY AUSTIN C. RURDtCK }
~ AUSTIN C. BURDicK
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CHAPTER vi.

some distance without speaking LOT they
both had plenty to think Of, and each
seemed to have thoughts which he wish
ed to keep from the other. Goupart
was the first to break the silence.
Louis" lie asked, in a half careless
tone does Simon Lobois love your sis
tery'
Louis fairly started at the strange
question, and after regarding his com
pani0n for a moment, as if to assure
himself that he had heard Alright be re-
piled;
Love her? Simon live Louise? What
do you meant
Il mean what ask Has Simon Lo-
bois ever thought of marrying with
LouiseT''
Why, what question, Are your wits
turned But why do you ask?
Simply because IL wished TO know"
"Hal Goupart, you suspect something
Now, out with it. Ii you love me, tell
me all. Am not right?"
Il cannot say that | really suspect
Louis. but l can Sc some small straws
in the wind. and / should like to find
which way they lie"
Go ahead. Speak on
answer that red villain made when yon
asked him who sent him to kill US? He
said they did not mean to kill you. Do
you believe he spoke the truth them?
Yes, Coup; they meant to kill one Of
us, and only one. The arrow that came
near yeur head was meant for you, only
you must have moved after the shaft
started. Had they meant death for both
of us, we should hardly have known
what killed us, for then they would have
been at home in their work. When we
started up, they could not well shoot you
@itheut endangeping my life, and thus
they got bothered. They were mistaken
in their estimate Of my character, for
they really believed, when they drew
their tonahawks, and commenced their
death howl and dance, that we should be
frightened out of our wits
They were mistaken in truth, return
ed Goupart. And then, in a changed
tone, he added But you see they meant
to kill me. and only capture you. Now,
what does it mean? Can you inform me
OF any possible pin whereon to hang a
thoughtF'
For some distance Louis walked
thoughtfully on, and when be spoke. his
voice was very low and distinct
''You asked me if Simon Lobois loved
my sister? Had you any reason for sus-
pecting such a thngy"
II was now Colpart's turn to hesitate,
but it was not for q long time.
Il have reason to believe that he hates
me Now, why should he be so? While
/ knew Linn in France. We We're ON the
most Friendly terms. To be sure, used
to beat him at the pistol, but then he
more than made up for it in the sword
play. But we We're the best friends inn
aginable Now, however, be hates or
fears me, and the more he tries to hide
it, the more plainly can | SEE it. Now,
whence comes il, il not from his fear of
losing Louise?"
"Geupart there's a show of substance
.lc9e. Yet | never thought that Simon
was a man to love deeply"
TO ioye what?'
"Why--any female"
All" returned Goupart he may have
a streng affection, however, for some
thousand pieces of hard. yellow gold.
The dying man said, il you remember,
that there was a strange bird in the
eagles nest!"
''Yes--yes."
Il might have feared that suspicion
would fall on me. had not | been one of
the intended VICTIMS, But tell me Louis,
what you think of it"
Il know not what to think now. But
you have touched a strange point. We
viii watch Simon Lobois when we reach
home"
we win" uttered Goupert, eagerly
We viii watch him"
"Ay," resumed Louis, upon whose
mind the startling suspicion seemed TO
work now, we win work it so that we
will come upon him suddenly; and while
we tell Of our adventure, we will note
his face. / have loved that man in days
gone by, for he has been faithful to me,
Yet / have found him growing somewhat
strange If late. Ha! what's that :?
Louise, as m a sinner! Coup, Tn ask
her question new, ere We reach the
house,"
The two hunters bad now reached the
field next to the dwelling, and they saw
Louise. accompanied by Tony and one
female slave, coming to meet them. AS
soon as the first merry greeth IS were
over, and Tony had taken the venison,
Louis drew his sister aside.
Louise" he said, assuming smile
Though he felt il not, Il know you will
pardon me IL | ask you very foolish
question. but yet | hope you win answer
me truly Has Simon Lobois ever said
anything TO you whereby you could sus-
pect that he wished 10 possess You for
his?"
.sNhv (nuis what has nut supb n