The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1903-03-26
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White Hand
; A Tale Of the Early Settlers
{ Of Louisiana.
3 RY AUsTIN c. BURDIcK
CHAPTER XIII.
BY AUSTIn G. BURDICk
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was nfm ana uncOlupIOntslh6y put 49,
kind and considerate as far as her care
Of her charges welfare was concerned.
Louise had made some examination OF the
house in which she was confined, and she
was satisfied that she could not escape
from it without much labor and trouble.
1t was on the fifth day Of her soJourn
there that she was aroused from a ut OF
deep thought by the entrance of simon
Lobois. He came in with a warm smile
upon his face, and after some rcmarAs
upon Louises improved looks, he took a
seat by her side. She did not shrink
from him, nor did she seem afraid OF
him, but with a keen gaze she liked her
deep blue eyes upon him.
"Sweet cousin" he said, in q tone OF
extreme softness, why was it ordered
that | should be the one to save you
from the Jaws Of death? Why was
singled out?
..snreIy SsnteeH wass.l5 was be- e'l Of
all others, were in duty bound to save
me" replied Louise.
"Hal how soT the cousin asked, with
a slight start, but quickly recovering hinl-
self.
"Why. because TO you my father gave
me in charge Because you have received
a handsome salary for taking care OF
me-"
Il should say that you had shown an
early disposition to throw off the yoke OF
my authority"
"Ah, how sol"
''Your own sense will tell yon how'
Simon responded, somewhat bitterly.
20, | meant no play upon the past, my
cousin. But then you are my near rela-
tive, you know-and hence you ought TO
save me"
"And this is the gratitude you feel for
the service have done you"
Now. Simon, you did not ask me now
/ felt. You only asked me why 1t was
YOU were singled out to save me. Most
truly, for all Of good you have ever done
me do feel most duly grateful. For all
your acts of kindness to me, you nave
my deep acknowledgment"
Lobois seemed for the moment nom
nlnssed by the off-hand manner In which
he was thus far met, but his forces were
soon in order again, and he renewed the
attack.
Louise, you remember the conversation
we once had in the studyY
Perfectly, Simon. And you remem-
her the answers | gaveY replied the
girl.
"Yes-I do remember them; | have re-
membered them ever since And now let
me assure you that look upon this
strange event as an opportunity granted
by heaven itself for me to ask those
questions over again"
"Simon Lobois! Are you In earnestT'
"I am. A love such as mine cannot
be cramped by the result Of one inter
view. 1t has been cherished too long,
and has become too deeply rooted. From
one less loved I might have turned away
under such a rebuff, but not from you.
No, no. Louise; have come now to ask
that one question again. Remember now
the debt you owe me remember the dou-
Bile claim | now have"
Double claim. SimonY
"Ay-a double claim. First, the claim
resulting from the care have held for
you since early childhood; and, second,
this last claim founded in the very saw
ing of your life"
"It was curious that you should have
been the one to save me-wasn't itY'
said Louise, looking into her companion 8
face with an expression he could not ana
lyze, though he tried hard to do so.
1T was" he replied.
"And that you should have landed just
in that place, tool" pursued Louise, with
out removing her close gaze from her
dark cousins face. "And how strange
that they should have camped directly
by the boat landing, where the whites
would be sure to come if they crossed
the lake-wasn't it?-especially when we
consider what repute they have for
shrewdness and cunningp
Simon Lobois WINGED at this, and a
perceptible tremor ran through his
frame. But he recovered himself with
an effort. in few moments.
1T is strange" he said, 'and | have
often said so since But | can see in il
only the opportunity of pressing my
claim to your heart and hand now with
more hopes Of success. | must ask you
now IL you will accept the heart and
hand offer you?"
"Simon Lobois, you know | cannot dc
it," uttered Louise, in a firm, frank tone
Beware, Louise! ask you kindly
now. | confess my love and beg Of
you to accept It."
"A husbands love from you | never
can accept, Simon"
"Think carefully ere you speak,"
"But what mean you? have thought
carefully, and have equally as candidly
told you that yours | can never be. Now
what more can you ask?"
II shall ask but little MORE" returned
Simon, through his set teeth. II am now
in position to command"
''Speak plainly, monsieur"
.Then, plainly-you must be my wife"
"But l shall simply apply to the Gov
ernor."
''That will help you none, for Periel
Is my friend, and has pledged me his as
sistance."
"But he win listen to the prayer of {
helpless girl"
''Not when that prayer is prejudicia
to the interest of his friend, He is anx
ious that all the marriageable fema,e
should be married as soon as possible II
short, my dear cousin, he has pledged
me his word as a man, and as an officer
that you shall be my wife. Now wha
say your
II should certainly say that he was
great scoundrel," returned Louise. re
garding her companion with a fixed look
"You are cool, mademOiselleT
Because do not believe that you cal
be in earnest. monsieur"
II am in earnest, Louisel and, more
over, you go not from this place unit
you are my wife! Do you understan
thatT'
"If-if-I thought you could mean Il
Simon. I should begin to be alarmed,
said the maiden, in a tone that woul
seem to indicate that she did not reall
credit the statement she had heard.
Il do mean itr' he replied, slowly an
meaningly.
"Simon LObois, look me in the eye, an
assure me sOlemnly thar you mean wha
you have said" Louise spoke this In a
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