The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-12-14

capped over them, her form vibrated. Is she going to weep? Nay, not she; not this Julie Beanjeu. She was exploding with laughter which filled the room. and was heard by M. Bois Brisant returning to his house, from a visit to M. de St. Denie across the Esplanade. He glanced through the open window, much scandal fixed, lifted his brows and passed into the darkness.
 Think you his majesty has sent you to Mobile on a voyage of pleasure?" more wrathfully Bienville proceeds.
 Aye. sir on my wedding journey" and again her girlish laughter floatsd out of the room and attracted the attention of M. de Paillon. the engineer. on his way to smoke social pipe and drink cup with M Blcndel, the brave Swiss soldier.
 "But you have abused the kings conf dence and are disobeying his commands. You refuse bridegroom"
 A serious countenance, a downcast eye, a pitiful, dropping moutA an aggrieved voice answered him.
 You do me an injustice, my Governor. I refused only those who have asked me. You must grant they are but rough lot. Maybe they are" hesitatingly and ner- vously twisting her rings. "Frenchmen under your command not at Fort Louis " She lifted her head and met his gaze.
 
 her eyes. Bienville. match for the crafV Irdian, read straight a maidenE hidden thoughts Loving a steady purpose and an honest intent he was mollined. With gentle touch he tilted back her head. His piercing eyes mastered her audacity of a moment since. Tears of contrition. | self-pity and broken pride stole down her cheek
 Julie, who is the man?" Bienville al- l ~IaA anHt and and hid her face in her hands l Captain Marchand, commandant Of Fort Toulouse?' he asked. as he smoothed her | hair and motioned her to seat. But there was a time when he was only a common soldier in the official | household of Count Pontchartrain was a little maid in the employ of the countess. One night he caught me in the garden by the fountain. and told me, soldierwise, of his love for me" She was visibly agitated. but had dried her | tears.
 And you Haunted him. to repent when | he had gone away"'
 You have guessed it. sir. I did but say him nay that he might urge me twice 1 and thrice" demurely she admitted. Because of her honesty of speech Bien- vile threw back his head and laughed unrestrainedly.
 His younger brother. M de St. Helene, standing upon the bridge of the moat hard by. having for some moments ob- | served through the open easement the pantomime within, heard Bienville's good ! humored laugh. pierced the air with a | long, low whistle of surprise. and nut | tered: "Fortunate it is l. and not one i of his enemies who should chance to | pass Jean is too open with his amours. And" prying more intently. this one IS that difficult little wench who has Haunt | ed all the men in the colony either for wife or mistress. By St Louis, it's the 1 Governor she would ensnars! With an other whistle he too. passed on to his | own amusements.
 How long since you have seen this soldier lover?' continued Bienville.
 Five years, come this Easter, He came at once away
 The following morning he joined your brother NJ. de Iberville. and came straightway to the colony"
 Bienvle unused in deep abstraction for A moment. then handed her the quill and | commanded her to write letter to Mar chand notifying him of her presence in | Mobile T will dispatch 1t, accompanied bv an official summons. by my most dex- trous oarsmen. In two weeks he will be l here, and Father Varlet having perform