News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1902-04-16

dulpu 10 ESlelie On Tue eve Vi the cOn-
pany's departure. Both had schooled
themselves for the ordeal. she to ap-
pear brave and he to keep back the
words of love that were ever rising
from his heart to his lips. AS Is usual
in such trials, the result was diluted
with emotion. It Is safe to say each
understood the other better than if
free rein had been given to speech.
"MademoiSelle." Oakfell said on TAX
ing leave, Il have perhaps been some
what otticiOus concerning your affairs.
but when explain my action | beg you
to approve. NJ. Latioais, your only
kinsman. your sole authoritative pro-
tector and adviser, is growing old and,
Us you have admitted to me, IS, through
his amiable weaknesses, to some ex-
tent subject to Qullebert's dOmina-
ton. | have charged my brother to be
especially watchful of your welfare
and in all things to stand between you
and harm"
and has NJ. Evariste accepted the
charger" Estelle asked.
"Most willingly, and bravely he will
keep it," Oakfell answered. His soul
is a noble one, his heart as true as
steel. Rely upon him and trust him i'm
plicitly, mademoiselle, should any peril
or crisis arise. | have chosen him for
this because | know his lofty charac-
ter and love him next to-his mothers
memory"
Il will be guided by him because you
tell me to- Estelle said, her trembling
voice forbidding more of reply. Wear
this" she added, pinning to his coat
tiny cockade of red, white and red.
"And wear you this" Oakfell an
swered, passionately kissing her hand.
"Au revNr, and God keep you"
eau revoir, and God bless Estelle
could say no more, but threw her arms
about Odette, who stood behind her,
and wept as if her heart were broken.
Oakfell saw the action. His grief was
akin to joy.
1t was gallant company that pranc-
ed down the bayou road to the steam
boat landing amid huzzas and waving
handkerchiefs = dark eyed creoles,
chevaliers by heredity, fair skinned
Americans, soldiers by instinct. None
sat his horse with Drawer mien than
Sergeant Valsin MOuillot, who, refus-
ing to be rcpressed, had placed his
daughters in the keeping of his sister
and detarminedly followed where Oak
fell led And in a few short weeks
these elites of the southern country
side were swallowed up by the great,
seGthing army of the southwest.
Quilebert exploited his tricolored
standard to the utmost. His accustOm-
ed bOldness progressed to daring au-
dacity. AS the rigors of the times
and privations of the people increased
he pushed his ventures and specula-
tons, trading the necessaries Of life at
eXorbtant valuations for cotton, which
commanded enormous gold prices in
the markets of the world. Though en-
barge was laid by the authorities upon
expectation of the staple, he success
fully struggled cargOes down the
Atchafalaya through Berwick bay to
French traders and brought back pack
cts of consols and notes of the Bank of
France.
a strange companionship came to be
observed. Evariste Oakfell and guile
bert were sven much together and not
infrequently at Dede's cabaret, but so
engrossed were the neighbors with the
growing miseries of their isolation that
theirs was only silent wonder.
The rumOr that the two were part
ners in contraband adventures was re-
ceived with mere Struggling Of Shout
ders and turning up of eyes, save by
Estelle, who repealed them as malicious
and whose trusting heart was satisfied
with Evaristes explanation that his
intimacy with Quillebert and the caba-
ret was intended to enable him the bet |
ter to guard her grandfather, for it
was true that Leonidas was almost dali |
ly the third of the trio at Dede's test |
ing the fortune of cards with guile !
bert; that he made periodical settle |
ments of losses by giving promissory |
rotes, and habitually reached his gate !
stupefied by rotations 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 Evariste sat at
table in the cabaret, the former drink
ing brandy, the latter slipping a light
wine.
Glow much of Latiolais' paper do
you holdY' asked Evariste.
sixteen thousand dollars, to be paid
in gold" Quillebert answered.
"How much of it is secured by mort
gage" ,,. r..t ..... ,.
eleven thousand dollars"
"What will you rAke for half the
whole batch?"
FIFTY bales of cotton.
"Have l that much under your shed :
now"
Eyes; more"
"Where are the notesp
"At my house."
"Will YOU transfer them todayp