The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1901-11-13

| with ETarlSte'S eXplaQduOu luil LIS
intimacy with Quillebert and the caba-
ret was intended to enable him the bet
ter to guard her grandfather, for 1t
was true that Leonidas was almost dal-
" the third Of the trio at Dede's test
ing the fortune Of cards with Quille-
bert; that he made periodical settle
ments of losses by giving promissory
notes, and habitually reached his gate
stupefed by potations Of rum.
After one Of these seances, the old
man having been lifted to his saddle
and his horses head turned home
ward, Quillebert and Eyariste sat at
table in the cabaret, the former drink
ing brandy, the latter slipping a light
wine.
"How much Of Latiolais' paper do
you holdT' asked Evariste.
Sixteen thousand dollars, to be paid
in gold," Quillebert answered.
..How much of it is secured by mort
gage:"
eleven thousand dollars"
"What will you take for half the
whole batch?"
"Fifty bales Of cotton
"Have I that much under your shed
now"
Eyes; more"
"Where are the notes"
cat my house"
"Win you transfer them today"
eyes, if you will come with me. But
why do you want this paper, and what
need is there for such haste"
"It does not concern you to know.
Come" Eyariste said, rising from his
chair.
81 am not so sure Of that" replied
Quillebert, following him.
The exchange having been completed,
Evariste continued on to the Latiolais
home. Most solicitously he piled Es-
telle with inquiry as to her comfort
and health, the affairs Of her planta-
ton and behavior Of her slaves.
"None Of these matters gives me the
care that my dear grandfather does,
N. E7ariste," she said sadly. "Not
only does his intemperance increase
appallingly, but he seems haunted by
some secret fear, and he cannot sleep
unless IN his cups or under the effect
Of drug. So kind, so gentle and low
ing, it is killing me to see his old age
thus miserable. I am sure much Of it
is due to his association with NJ. Guile
bert. Oh, can you not stand between
him and that wicked man?"
"Mademoiselle, believe me, am SIN
cerely distressed by what you say and
am doing all properly can to effect
what you desire. A more direct inter-
ference on my part would be resented
by NJ. Latiolais and render me power
less for future service in his behalf.
But let US be hopeful. For your sake
1 will be watchful and ready to act FOR
his protection" E7ariste accompanied
his words with look and gesture Of sin
cerest devotion.
81 know you will. know you WILL"
Estelle replied, "and trust in your
friendship and tact unquestioningly, as
your noble brother bade me-"
Eyariste flushed and said:
"Is it impossible for me to win your
confidence BY my own merit, made
moiselle? Must 1 have it only at the
bidding of another, though that other
be my brother:'
IN. Evariste," Estelle exclaimed, "do
not speak so! You wrong yourself,
your brother and me by such words"
POSSIBLY, but I have feelings, though
you persist in ignoring them"
"My friend, forgive me If q word Of
mine has wounded you. I did not so
intend. Your brother always delighted
at the mention Of you, and I suppos-
ed"-
Eyes, mademoiselle, except when he
Is held up as the lens through which
alone I am seen. l only mean that I
strive by my own endeaYors to deserve
your trust and seek it not through the
inspiration of another"
81 do trust you, NJ. Evariste, because,
being Horace Oakfell's brother, you
cannot but deserve to be trusted" she
said firmly.
This display Of loyalty to Horace
staggered him, and he retired, nettled
and meditating things which boded no
good to the dependent girls peace.
The second year Of the war witnessed
second conscription of recruits to