Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1902-02-08

horse and briskly rode down into the
swamp in the direction of Mother De
shautelles' house, leaving Dede with
bristling brows drawn down, bloated
chin lowered to his chest and counte-
nance OF furnished brass wrapped in
an expression of deep cogitation.
The dwelling Of the doctress was a
tight and durable cottage built of cy-
press logs daubed with mud, resting
upon pillars of cypress butts, arranged
into four large chambers, which were
divided by a broad hallway. with the
inevitable deep veranda in front and
the usual kitchen accessories in the
rear. Its site was an eminence. a geo
logical alteration in this region of dead
levels, where swamp forest broke upon
the bare alluvion at the junction Of
Bayous Rouge and Des GLASSES. Moth
er Deshautelles had never had slaves
OF her own or planting interests, but
had made the income OF n small for
tune inherited In France suffice for the
frugal yet comfortable maintenance of
herself and daughter and, after the lat
ter's death, her granddaughter Laurie.
In former years she had been much I'm
demand as midwife and sick nurse.
Her rewards enabled her to hire a
negro man to cultivate her garden and
provide fuel and a woman for kitchen
and cow sheds; also to purchase the
largest, stoutest of buggies and the
most powerful OF mules to draw ii, for
she was person Of heroic stature. and
now in octogenarian years her obesity
was such that only with much labor
could she walk from room to room.
Her journeyings. accomplished with
exertion and discomfort, were limited
to attendance at the mass at Easter
and Christmas and responses in ex-
IRENE cases to the calls OF neighbors
who had exceptional claims to her con-
si6eration. Her massive head and face
were OF leonine majesty. The thick
white hair and undimmed eyes still
spoke strength OF character. She was
In truth woman OF forceful person
atty. respected by the intelligent. fear
ed by the ignorant and superstitious.
A short distance within the swamp
lay shallow marais. or pond, choked
with water lilies and swarming with
ecrevisses. the red crayfish of LOU
isiana. Bareheaded, barefooted and
ankle deep in the marais stood Laure.
with hoop net at the end of a long.
slight staff, scooping ecrevisses into a
basket on her arm for the making of
broth for the evenings meal. So in
tent was she In the pursuit that she
was unaware OF Quillebert's presence
until, after silently feasting his pru-
rient eyes upon the firm, trim limbs
and brown and red cheeks OF the I'M
conscious girl, he laughed aloud and
accosted her:
Ha, little Gasconne. what picture
the forest, the marais, the lilies, the
nut brown maid with twinkling feet
and blushing cheek! Father Grhe has
no painting in his church at Mansura
to match this one in my church, the
great church of nature"
M. Constant" she cried, lit is not
nice to-creep out of the bushes at one
like this! Go away-at least until |
can put on my stockings and shoesp'
The flush In her face was for surprise.
but the sparkle In her black eyes was
not for offense.
81 will not bulge an inch" he said.
so come out, my nymph, for I want
your aid"
Glad to be OF service to you, NJ. Con
slant. but l will not stir a step till You
are out or view" said Laure, with a
resoiuteness which he saw it was use
less to combat. He knew she would
stand there like statue until the stars
came out If her demand was not com.
piled with.
"And how long shall be kept out o.
Flew, my empress?"
When 1 am ready" she replied, 81
will sing
Soldier soldier, marry, marry me-"
"But that will bring every gallant
within hearing Of your siren voice.
said Quillebert, land / crave a secret
conference with you"
"Then / will sing so low that only
the Chevalier Constant de Quillebert
shall hear" she said, with a mock all
OF lofty assurance.
pray abbreviate the Punishment OF
your languishing knight as much as
you can, for