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

70 approve. NJ. Latiolais. your only
kinsman. your sole authoritative pro
'ec'or and adviser. Is growing old and.
az you have admitted to me, is, through
his amiable weaknesses, to some ex-
tent subject to Quillebert's DONNA
ton. 1 have charged my brother to be
especially watchful OF your welfare
and In all things to stand between you
and HARM"
And has NJ. Evariste accepted the
charger Estelle asked.
Most willingly. and bravely he will
keep 1t" Oakfen answered. "His soul
Is noble one, his heart as true as
steel. Rely upon him and trust him i'm
plicitly. madsmoiselle, should any peril
or crisis arise. / have chosen him for
this because l know his lofty charac-
ter and love him next to-his mothers
memory"
Il will be guided by him because you
tell me to-" Estelle said, her trembling
voice forbidding more OF reply. Wear
this" she added, pinning to his coat
a tiny cockade Of red, white and red.
And wear you this" Oakfell an
swered, passionately kissing her hand.
"Au reyoir, and God keep you"
"Au revoir, and God bless Estelle
could say no more, but threw her arms
about odette, who stood behind her,
and wept as IL her heart were broken.
Oakfell saw the action. His grief was
akin to Joy.
1t was gallant company that pranc-
ed down the bayou road to the steam.
boat landing amid huxzas and waving
handkerchiefs - dark eyed creoles,
chevaliers by heredity. fair skinned
Americans, soldiers by instinct. None
sat his horse with drawer mIen than
Sergeant Valsin Mouillot, who, refus-
ing to be repressed. had placed his
daughters In the keeping Of his sister
and determinedly followed where Oak
fell led. And In a few short weeks
these elites OF the southern country
side were swallowed up by the great,
seething army OF the southwest
Quillebert exploited his tricolored
standard to the utmost. His accustom-
ed holiness progressed to daring au-
dacity. AS the rigors OF the times
and privations of the people increased
he pushed his ventures and specula-
lions, trading the necessaries of life at
exorbitant valuations for cotton, which
commanded enormous gold prices In
the markets OF the world. Though en-
barge was laid by the authorities upon
expectation OF the staple, he success
fully Struggled cargoes down the
FOL n FOL To-
French traders and brought back pack
cts of consols and notes OF the Bank OF
France.
A strange companionship came to be
observed. Evariste Oakfell and Guile.
bert were seen much together and not
infrequently at Dede's cabaret, but SO
engrossed were the nsighbors with the
growing miseries OF their isolation that
theirs was only silent wonder.
The rumor that the two were part
ners In contrabnnd adventures was re-
ceived with mere Struggling OF shout
ders and turning up of eyes, save by
Estelle. who repealed them as malicious
and whose trusting heart was satisfied
with Evariste's explanation that his
intimacy with Quillebert and the caba-
ret was Intended to enable him the bet
ter TO guard her grandfather. for 1t
was true that Leonidas was almost dali
ly the third OF the trio at Dede's test
ing the fortune OF cards with guile
bert; that he made periodical settle
ments Of losses by giving promissory
notes, and habitually reached his gate
stupened by potations OF rum.
After one OF these seances, the old
man having been lifted to his saddle
and his horses head turned home
ward, Quillebert and Evariste sat at
table In the cabaret the former drink
ing brandy, the latter slipping a light
wine.
"How much OF Latiolais' paper do
you hold?' asked Evariste.
Sixteen thousand dollars, to be paid
In gold" Quillebert answered.
"How much OF it is secured by mort
gager
ELEVEN thousand dollars"
''What will you take for half the
whole batchP'
Fifty bales OF cotton"
"Have / that much under your shed
nowr'
Eyes; more.'
"Where are the notesp
"At my house"
'Will you transfer them todayT
eyes, If you will come with me. But
why do you want this paper, and what
need is there for such hasteY'
at does not concern you to know.
Come" Evariste said, rising from his
chair.
81 am not so sure OF that" replied
Quillebert, following him.
The exchange having been completed,
Evariste continued on to the Latiolais
home. Most solicitously he piled Es-
telle with inquiry as to her comfort
and health, the affairs of her planta-
ton and behavior of her slaves.
"None Of these matters gives me the
care that my dear grandfather does,
M. Evariste." she said sadly. "Not