Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1901-08-14
|WhiteHand|
"A Tale Of the Early Settlers )
Of Louisiana. :
BY ASSTIN C. EURDIcK :
CHAPTER IY.-lContlpuedl
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For some moments Simon gazed upon
the fair girl in utter astonishment. lie
was at loss to understand whether she
was making game of him, or whether she
was in earnest But had he reflected for
a moment upon the character OF the
lovely pupil MS he knew it, he would have
known that she could not descend to sport
with his feelings. Then he still might
appeal to her heart.
"Aasr' he murmnred choking down
his indignation, you know not what y"
do. You know not the deep love that
-dwells like a consuming fire within. But
! win not ask you TO marry me now. Only
promise that, some time, you viii be
mine Give me your heart, and pledge
me your hand. And then we will be mar
ried when yon are older. o, do not re-
fuse me thisr
My conscience. Simon. il we wait for
that. your hair will be gray, and you will
have to walk with staff. And then
what sorry-looking couple we shonld
make, Don't. Simon don't talk so any
more Its foolish in you to do so. do
really begin to think you are in earnest.
But don't want to hear you SPEAK 80
any more-truly. | don't"
Then yon will never love me-
Why, love you now, cousin. | have
always loved you Why will you be so
foolish
Alas Louise, you have struck the
dagger TO my soul The lamp OF my life
has gone out. and all my hopes are sunk
in utter darkness, You have done thus
much. Now, in mercy. take my dagger
and finish my pain. Take away the life
you nave cursed. and let my soul escape
the agony it must endure while near thee
when thou art not minep
Stop, Simon" interrupted the maid
en-, just as he was putting on the finish
ing stroke and look OF agony. II can't
be yonr wife: never can. So there's
an end of that matter And now let as
forget thai we ever had any such foolish
talk"
''And how long has this been your
mindT' fairly Kissed I.obois. as soon as
he could so far recover FROM his utter
smazement as 10 speak.
How longT' repeated Louise, in sur
prise why, you might as well ask me
how long twas since | had resolved that
4 would not marry with old Tony. just as
weIl-exactIy. Nature set up the barrier
when she made me your cousin eighteen
years after your birth. Now"
At this moment Louise heard her faith
err calling her from the hall. and she
started Mp.
''You hcar?r she uttered. my father
wants me. Now yon won't think any
thing more Of this-will you? Put off
Shat ugly-looking face as soon as you can
and then come out and join US in our so
cial enjoyment. There--he calls again.
Here | am-eoming!' And with these
words. the buoyant. happy hearted girl
tripped out from the room.
For some moments, Simon Lobois stood
Hike one tnunderstruck. and seemed
watching, with q vacant stare. the place
where the young lady had been standing,
as If lurid CLEAN of vivid lightning had
made it's transit Then he started back
apace and elenehed both his fists.
by hegsensr' he uttered. while his
face turned livid with rage, land shall
bear this? Shall ! sit calmly by, and see
another carry of the maiden and pocket
the half Of st. Julien's fortune? Shall
see that wealth which has been so long
In my grasp-that wealth which | have
looked upon as mine. now wrested from
me? For years I've cherished this fond
hope-this picture of wealth. and now ID
must not be blown away thus. st. Ju-
lien is worth this day five hundred thou
sand crowns, and they shall not have it
all-they shall not.'