Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1902-03-08
MASTER 0n0
SLAVE 3 By - r,,,..r
Copyright. 1901. by T. H. Thorpe.

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
1t contained a 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:
'"Ten me, my friend, that you do not
believe this awful news about your
brother; that you have good reason to
disbelieve it"
ALIAS, mademolselle." he replied, af-
fecting a distress he did not feel, "I
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 corroboration.
can only hope that Horace still lives"
GOD grant he lives, God grant he
livesr' she murmured. sinking into a
chair.
"Amen to that" said Evariste solemn
ly. But should the all wise God have
decreed differently. l pray you. made
moiselle. TO feel assured that you have
in me a friend and protector as devoted
and as brave as he, though not as gift
ed"
"Yes. yes" She seemed to be speaking
! to herself without looking at her Wis
itor. HE said so and babe me trust
his brother. But God grant he livesl
God grant he livesr'
"Estelle. am l never to be regarded
/ by you save as the suggestion OF an
other man7 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 a chance remained that Horace
still survived.
Pardon me. mademoiselle," he added
humbly. My distress has made me a
sick man. irritable beyond my power
4
again until am better"
IL hope that will be soon," she said.
| giving him her hand.
He next sought Dede's. Passing
| Quillebert's house. be was halted by
Laure.
| "Your brother-Is 1t true that he Is
dead?" she asked.
81 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"
| "WhyT
''For a reason will not state"
''Do you know the reason?" he asked
testify.
81 do not. 1 sense 1t. / inherit that
from my grandmother"
| bah. Laurel That is nonsense,
which you did not inherit from the doc
| tress."
"Have it your own way. But there is
second reason why you will not
| mourn"
What is thatF'
Because you will not be sorry"
do you not think you are overstep-
! ping the bounds?"
II have no bounds. ] talk so because
l know you. have studied you, but
need not have done so. for l under
stand you without"
"WellY'
"You are in danger"
From whomP
yourself"
''Then am doomed, for cannot es-
cape from myself" And Evariste
laughed at his poser.
| But you can escape" Laure said.
| undisturbed.
| "HowT
Avoid Quillebert from this time on"
'"That would be inconvenient, though
1t would not break my heart"
"And leave off your hopeless pursuit
Of that girl" again stretching her arm
down the bayou. "for you shall never
marry her."
I as that threatY' he demanded.
at is prophecy" she said, with a
confident air.
81 was not aware Cassandra survived
Troy"
II do not know what you mean, but
| you know what i mean"
well, I thank you" he said, gather
ing the reins of his bride and raising
| his hat
Unless you heed you shall have no
cause to thank me-" She kept her eyes
fixed upon him until he disappeared
behind the crest of the bayou bank,
and then with all the intensity OF her
nature she exclaimed: ''He shall come
my wayl will itr'
| Eyariste continued to the cabaret
and there found his two customary
companions at their usual devotion to
rum and cards. Quillebert was FESTIVE
and fastened the intoxication and de-
! parture of old Latiolais, after which he
drew his chair near to Evariste and
said:
/ "What are your plans now that your
L brother ia dead?"