Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1902-03-01

LOUISIANA. NAVIGATION or the
Mississippl's tributaries was
impracticable. The baked alluvion
crumbled into a depth OF impalpable
dust, which rose In clouds at the dis.
turbance OF a dogs trot. The stiff
lands were OF stony hardness. Creamy
white lay the cotton fields on either
side OF the bayous to the green borders
OF the moss hung swamps, and the
beds Of the deep, yawning bayous
themselves could almost be traversed
dry shod.
1t was afternoon at the close OF the
month when Evariste, attired In the
latest OF the city's modes. alighted
from his buggy at Mother Deshau-
telles' gate. Though he had driven the
long distance from Red River landing,
on the Mississippi. where be disem-
barked from the steamboat or his re-
turn from visit to New Orleans. he
appeared neither travel stained nor
heated. Ralaer he looked spotless and
cool. Laurie, in a gown of stun which
might have been woven Of the spiders
Aweb which chung lovingly to her
per- welcomed him with a
warmth of manner which would have
conoid admirers. Her beauty, though
dark, was rich, dazzling and dangerous,
and she knew II. She realized the DOW
er OF q smile made up OF glistening
teeth and parted carmine lips. The CLINT
ing OF deep brown eyes. the arch pose
or pretty head and the springing
i step of dainty feet were a poem of
health and vitality OF her own compost
ton. But the narrow forehead and
: mouth spoke as much of will as of
love.
She led Evariste to the shaded veran-
da and. serving him a draft OF refresh
ing wine, said:
Now tell me. great traveller that you
are. al about the wonders of the grand
city, for you know / have never been
there"
"Oh, no." he replied. IT saw no won
ders except miles of steaming streets
and swarms OF sweltering people"
Nothing short OF Paris for you.
them said Laurie.
We'll, I might compromise on Wen
ma or possibly Nice. But see, Laure,
what bring YOU" Evariste took from
bis pocket a small packet, opening
which she discoverAi dainty Russia
leather and satin lined case. with gold
ven Initials az T." inlaid upon It and
within 1t the watch given her by Guile
bert, which Evarlste had taken 20 be
repaired in New Orleans Lifting the
watch. she discovered at the end of the
chain charm. n gold crescent studded
with wine red rubies and sparkling dia-
monds.
She could not speak her delight at
once. but looked In an ecstasy from the
Jewel to the young man and from him
to the Jewel-her face would then have
been an artists treasure-until words
came to her, when she exclaimed:
From you TO meT
IF you will accept" he said.
II do accept" she cried. land shall
prize this crescent as the most precious
OF my possessions. But what will Es-
telle sayT'
What will Quillebert sayr' returned
Evariste. with some shade of irritation
I'm his voice.
"WhyT asked Laurie, startled.
HE gave you the watch and chain"
he said.
"And she gave you the She check
ed herself and bit her lip In vexation.
''The what, Laure2 Say It and let 10
&C."
>. Forgive me, my friend. Yes, let II
and with it any thought OF those
two persons who
''Let us not speak i'll of the absent.
but talk of other things Be prepared
for unwelcome news from the city later
on. Quillebert will lose the suit"
why do you say that?'
Because / heard the arguments in
the supreme court and thought / OBJ
served their effect upon the judges and
the assembled lawyers. The whole
matter is exceedingly distasteful to me,
as you know; still could not well de-
cline my brothers invitation to be pres
ent at the trial of the appeal. Zabourin
made a learned and forclble effort for
Quillebert, quoting authorities and
drawing deductions which appeared
absolutely unanswerable. But Horace,
with an ease at which marveled, met
every proposition. and his Irresistible
logic picked 1t into shreds. He ex-
posed the sophistries of Zabourin's con-
tention and flung them aside. With
chudlike simplicity OF language he
made Icons case so plain that every
layman understood the principles on
which 1t rested as thoroughly as did
the most learned lawyer, and with the
= eloquence that comes of unaffected
earnestness he held up the justice and
equity supporting the decision OF Judge
Tailleur. He appeared to carry every
man within hearing OF his voice, and
when he concluded 1t seemed that all
HOuhta nf he rid 90 ~, ooeo
had been demolished His peroration
was beautiful and pathetic without
\ being theatrical-in fact. was what
they call prose poem. | was as much
3 amazed as any of his hearers could
have been | cannot divine when and
- here he got all the wealth and vari
S ~ of Earning be displayed in that ad.
sress