Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1902-02-15

pously.
"Tben"-Quillebert raised bis glass
drink confusion to Americans and
sbciitionists and success to the sons
OF old Gascony."
Down wiki the Americansl Victory
to the Gasconsr' cried every man. ris.
i1g to his feet and emptying his glass.
Dede brought forth the nine tasks OF
hot rum and distributed them among
sae company fSr Sustenance on their
nde In the chill night air. aud. quietly
mounting horses and ponies. this re-
Variable gathering Dissolved. The last
to leave were ouillebert and Pratjean.
The latter said admiringly:
You are a genius. Constant"
mo fool. ut least. hope" laughed
the latter. disappearing into the dark.
ness or the swamp road.
There were but two sessions Of the
court each year for the trial OF suits OF
. civil nature. and these were arranged
to meet the agricultural convenience of
the people, one In February in advance
OF planting, the other In September be-
fore the commencement OF harvest.
Hence the procrastinatlon prescribed
by ouillebert was no very difficult feat.
Dilstory pleas put In by Pratjean serv-
ed to toll the case over two terms,
spanning year. Bis professional en-
gagement Ia the court OF another par
1sh and the sudden sickness OF Portyie.
an important witness for Quillebert.
certified In writing by DR.. De Roux.
sufnced to carry It over the second year
without trial. Throughout this space
the interest and activity OF Quillebert's
adhersnts never tagged. 1t was the
theme OF talk at every store, cabaret
and steamboat landing In the high
lands, at every Saturday night gumbo
pan and Sunday mass. At sessions of
the court and police jury the attending
crowds discussed it with ever increas-
ing heat and bitterness, the prosecu-
tion OF Quillebert and menace to eau
casian superiority constituting the be-
ginning, middle and end Of each SYM
postum. Inevitably it took on some
what Of sectional character. the rich
planters or the lowlands being the sym
pathizers with Oakfell and the CRITICS
Of Quillebert
AS the administration of President
buchanan approached it's close rumors
or abolitionist aggressiveneSs grew In
frequency and proportion and so charg-
ed the public mind with combustible
ideas that the simple mention of this
lawsuit caused a number Of small ex-
plosions in the form OF flsticuffs within
the courthouse yard, even ''under the
drtppings from the caves of the tenn
PIE. To the women and children OF
the uplands, many of whom had never
seen him, the name of Oakfell was as
eXecrabie as Judas Iscariot's. So acute
had this unfriendly feeling grown that
some OF the conservative minded suV-
gested 10 Oakfell the policy OF with
drawing the suit. He firmly rejected
the advice.
throughout this turbulence of senti-
ment Evariste held calmly aloof When
ever the subject was obtruded upon
MIN he dismissed IL with the remark
that he was neither lawyer nor n pol
itician. His brother regarded this in
difference as In harmony with his poet
ic temperament and was not displeas-
ed Evariste became more seclusive I'm
habit He rode often and far into the
solitudes OF the swamps. where the
deep shade accorded with his somber
hand of Estelle he felt was homeless
while his sole expectancy OF fortune
was from his brothers grace, and his
visits TO the Latiolais mansion were
made at intervals OF increasing length.
degenerating into brief formalities. but
he bitterly cursed his dependence and
silently fed the flame OF passion within
his pent breast. Laurie, brown and
vital, surprising him now and again i'm
his wanderings, lifted him from the
deeps momentarily. yet he struggled
TO escape her and descend to his gloomy
warnings. Still, upon the progress OF
the public agitation he kept a steady
and observant eye.
Estelle was dismayed at the conse-
quences OF her demand upon Oakfell.
which she was made to realize by the
dismal reports Of her grandfather and
the malediction OF herself by the Guile
bert faction. To her own impetuous-
ness and presumption she charged this
strife among neighbors and its unhap-
by possibilities. She wept and prayed
for guidance and finally, sending for
Oakfell, said TO him:
1T was at my request. made upon a
SAiiSH Impulse, ludI you entered INTO .
this contest, which has aroused such
bitterness and so altered your position
in our parish. Then you had not an F,
enemy. Now l dare not think OF the
number who wish you harm. did not |
then foresee this dreadful result, but
today l am quite a woman and know I
had no right to involve you so grievous- F,
ly for the qualification OF a mere within
OF mine. ! entreat you to proceed no
further In the lawsuit To press il
now would result only in your injury.
but In no ones good
The girls speech was earnest and
her prayerful face so beautiful that
Oakfell gazed upon it In a wordless
rapture until his very silence suddenly
called him TO reply:
You say further prosecution OF the |
suit could result in no ones good" he !
said. smiling. What, then. becomes OF
I.POD'a Freedom xuhioh A.. ;t. - ,