The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1903-09-10

Doubtless the pressure, sudden and
apparently irresistible, of the military
situation forced Jackson to cast be-
hind him, for the time at least, all
personal considerations and turn his
whole attention to preparing the de-
fense OF New Orleans. At all events,
while Mr.. Vernon aud Ernest FaYal
were yet with him, endeavoring to
quiet him, Lieutenant Ballanche came
in great haste to bear him startling
news from down the river. The Brit
ish were coasting along the marshes
and feeling their way toward tine city,
or trying to get possession OF Pont-
chartrain. AS yet, nothing certain
could be known Of their numbers or
equipments, saving that they APP
peared to be strong, well suppliad
AID confident. There were great diff
fcnlties in the way of watching their
movements, and 50 far it was doubt
full what were their real intentions as
70 the point of attack.
General Jackson received the young
lieutenant respectfully, even cordial
ly, and after a few words with him
aside, took his arm, and bowing to
Feval and Mr.. Vernon, walked away
with him towards headquarters.
Faval, in his creole volatility, could
restrain his indignation no longer.
He clenched his hands and swore;
but Mr.. Vernon was quite calm and
apparently not in the least in SYM
pathy with his companlon's bitter
criticism Of the commanders personal
treatment of them.
On the evening OF this Same day,
Colonel Loring further distinguished
himself by appearing suddenly in the
dc SeZaunes box at the leading the
atre OF the city and throttling Lieu
tenant Bailanche. who at the time was
engaged in conversation with
Mademoiselle de Sezannes and her
mother. The onslaught was 80 pre-
cipitate and so quickly done with that
the perpetrator was gone before any
general understanding of the startling
affair was had by the audience. Bal
Ianche was seized by the throat in o
grip of iron, lifted bodily aud dashed
down stunned and almost lifeless at
the feet of Mademoiselled de Sezannes.
The play going forward on the
stage vas not half SO strikingly dra.
matte as this spectacular performance
in real life, and, although the people
of New Orleans were we'll used to
scones OF violence, those who wit
messed it were Mortified by the pc
culiar atrocity it exhibited. Lorine's
two muscular hands closed about the
young mans neck with frightful force,
and his cold, long, narrow eyes flick
cred balefully under his straight,
dark brows.
Mademoiselle de Sezannes and her
mother screamed; the old mans face
grew livid with fright as he flung up
his fat hands and sank back, helpless,
in his seat.
At this distance it is difficult to uu-
derstand state Of society like that in
New Orleans at the time of which we
write; but the temper Of the people
may be suggested by the fact that,
while the city lay apparently open to
an alien and presumably reckless
enemy whose feet and troops were
preparing for capture and booty, the
leaders of social life and the chief
military officers, Jackson excepted,
were at the theatre enjoying light
play. Moreover, the strange incident
just recorded did not much iucon-
venience either players or audience
alter the first thrill OF excitement
passed ~. 1t was a momentary Won
der, nothing more.
Mr.. Vernon and his vile and daugh-
ter were in q box almost opposite the
one occupied by the do Sezsunes, and
it chanced that Fairfax was with them
at the moment when Loring appeared.
Pauline did not see the daring and
brutal act; but when she turned in
the direction indicated by her fathers
sudden, excited stare, Loring was
standing there facing the stage. He
was erect and rigid with passion not
otherwise observable, while Ballanche
lay crumpled aud still at Mademois-
ellie de Sezaunes's feet. Something in
the mans calm, mysterious face sent
through her thrill OF indescrihable
sympathy. As he turned almost in
stantly to retreat from the auditorium.
his eyes met hers with quick move
ment of recognition, anu he smiled
with a peculiar, subdued CLEAN in his
dark face.
She clutched her mothers arms, and
her cheeks and lips turned pale as
death. She felt rather than saw' the
flash of excitement which passed over
the faces of the audience all turned
upon tho tell form cow passing rapid
IL along the aisle that led to the main
entrance.
Nobody attempted to stop Loriug;
even the policemen at the door either
lid not understand what had hap
pened or feared him; for they stood
aside when he approached and let him
pass untouched.