The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1902-01-02
TEE PRINCETON UNION: THURSDAY, JANUARY y 1goa

energy IN laying commands upon me.
You cannot steal my liberty as you did
the negro Jockeys"
Laure's defiance was pronounced with
such fire, contempt and insinuated
threat that Quillebert quailed beneath
her flashing eyes, and, swallowing the
coarse retort that rose to his lips, he
whistled prolonged note of mock sur
prise and walked to the room where
his treasure of brandy was stored. But
he stift1y resolved that Evariste should
wed Estelle and in that connection took
from his strong box a bundle of papers
bearing the signature of Leonidas La,
tfolafs. Selecting two, he read them
carefully and tied them in separate
parcel, which he laid away by itself.
To the curious Evariste's grief was
evidenced by his self seclusion. For
the space of a week he was not seen
at the Latiolais home, Quillebert's place
or Dede's cabaret. He immured him.
self behind locked doors at "L'Espe-
rance" and Mrs. Wyley saw him only
at meals. She, good soul, was over
whelmed by sorrow. She could not
rust herself to mention the dreadful
amor to Evariste, even to question it's
verify. But he, when alone, passed his
time otherwise than in mourning. It
was busy week with him. He count
ed and recounted the money he had
boarded since his brothers departure,
calculated over and over his gains
from the contraband ventures exploited
with Quillebert, scanned repeatedly the
written obligations of old man Latio-
lais which he had purchased from the
Frenchman; but, though the effort in
volved the full measure of his strength,
he refrained from opening the sealed
envelope which Horace had delivered
into his hand before marching to the
dangers of battle. He contented him.
self for the present with the belief that
it contained disposition in his favor
Of all the Oakfell estate. The thoughts,
schemes and resolves which occupied
him during those seven days were such
as consume or scar the soul, and he
came forth with hardened countenance,
compressed lips, cruel eyes and con-
tracted brows.
His first call was on Estelle, whose
pale face and stricken look stirred his
secret resentment. She greeted him
sadly and, almost weeping, said:
"Tell me, my friend, that you do not
believe this awful news about your
brother; that you have good reason to
disbelieve it."
"Alas, mademoiselle," he replied, af-
fecting a distress he did not feel, II
have no more reason for belief than the
existence of the rumor and none for
disbelief other than the absence of off,
cial or authoritative confederation. I
can only hope that Horace still l1ves.''
God grant he lives! God grant he
lives! she murmured, sinking into a
chair.
"Amen to that" said Evariste solemn
~. But should the all wise God have
decreed differently, pray you, made
moiselle, to feel assured that you have
In me friend and protector as devoted
and as brave as he, though not as gift
ed"
eyes, yes" She seemed to be speaking
to herself without looking at her WIS.,
ftor. "He said so and bade me trust
his brother. But God grant he lives
God grant he ivesw
"Estelle, am never to be regarded
by you save as the suggestion of an
other man? Can you not see''- Her
surprised and panied glance apprised
him that he was betraying anger, and
he checked the utterance of harsh
words that sprang from his heart, for
he knew his time was not yet ripe
while chance remained that Horace
still survived.
pardon me, mademoiselle," he added
humbly. my distress has made me a
sick man, irritable beyond my power
Of self control. will not come to you
again until am better"
II hope that will be soon," she said,
giving him her hand.
He next sought Dede's. Passing
Quillebert's house, he was halted by
Laure.
"Your brother-is it true that he is
dead" she asked.
II do not know" he answered.
what do you believer
Nothing
"What- does she believer" pointing
toward Estelle's home.
''She mOurns for him.
"That is more than you will do.''
"Why?"
"For reason will not state.''
do you know the reason?" he asked
testify.
II do not. sense it. I inherit that
from my grandmother"
bah, Laure! That is nonsense,
which you did not inherit from the doc
tress.''
"Have it your own way. But there is
a second reason why you will not
mourn"
"What is that?"
because you will not be sorry"
do you not think you are overstep-
ping the bounds?"
ri have no bounds. I talk so because