The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1903-04-02
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|WhitHHand|
"A Tale Of tho Early Settlers /
( Of Louisiana. !
! RY AUSTIN c. BURDIcK
BY AUSTIN c. BURDlcK
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cuApTER XIy-fContinued J


Where is my brother?"
''Your brother?" Simon uttered, start
ing in spite of himself. What should !
know Of himT
'sBut do you not know Of himf" she
asked, looking him steadily in the eye,
II do not" But he trembled while ne
spoke; he could not help it.
"But you know he was seized by the |
Indians on the same night that was"
How should know|
"Simon, it Is strange that you have
never once asked me concerning the event
OF my abduction
T-I-a--have had enough to think
of without that. My love for you has
engrossed my every thought, and claimed
my whole attention"
''Then you know nothing Of himY
"I-I-why, how on earth should IL
"Never mind. If you do not then that
Is enough. Now, appoint the time for
the wedding when you will"
"It shall be this very day."
"As you will. If it must be so,- care
not for time. Henceforth all times are
alike to me-"
"Ay, sweet Louise, all OF JOY.
"Yes-such Joy as the lost child feels
in the deep wood; such JOY as the poor
orphan feels when she stands by the
cold corpse Of her dead parents"
"Nonsensel But come; you shall md
better quarters than these
So Simon Lobois led his promised bride
forth from the prison house back to the
dwelling from whence she had been tax
en- on the previous night, and then he
went out to hunt up some more fitting
garb for her to wear. He went to the
Governor and there he succeeded in pur-
chasing q suitable habit. 1t was dress
made after the fashion Of the times, OF
pale blue silk with scarlet facings, ana
worked with silver lace and thread. 1t
belonged originally to one of Perier
daughters, but she had never yet worn
It, 1t having been made for her wedding
dress, and her lover dying on the eve OF
marriage.
The dress fitted Louise to a fault, and
when thus prepared, she suffered herself
to be led to the church, for Simon had
determined that there should be no sub
sequent question about the legality OF his
marriage. When they entered the rude
church they found quite number OF
people collected, and the aged priest was
there in his robes.
The poor girls head ached, and wher
she stood before the priest she tremblet
violently, and even Simon was startled
when he saw how pale she looked.
go on" she whispered. 30, go on
and let me out from here, or shall die"
The priest commenced the ceremony
and Simon answered the questions dis
tinetly. Then the holy man turned t
the bride, and he asked her the usua
questions. She looked up and In a faint
forced voice, she replied:
ITO the best Of my abilities | will d.
all this"
What more could human law require
Even Simon was surprised, for he ha'
feared she would hesitate. But he kneV
not how sick and faint she was, and tina
she might have answered thus prompt
in order to hasten the ceremony, for sh
wanted fresh air. The ceremony was fin
ished. and the nuptial tie had been form
ed. and the marriage was registered i
the great parchment book of the clerk
The fee was paid, and then the bride
groom turned away.
"In heavens name, my wife" erie
Simon, as they reached the open all
"what is the matter? What is it tha
thus affects your
20, am sick-sick as death!' was tn
faint reply. "Hasten-hasten to ou
home. or shall fail and sink by th
waysidew
Simon saw that his companion spob
the truth, and with quick steps he hu
ried on, sometimes bearing his bride
his arms, and anon helping her to wal
At length they reached their dwellin
and Loppa was at once sent for the ph,
sician. The old man came, and at
glance he saw that his patient had a r
lapse of her fever, and this time he shoe
his head as he remarked:
1--WE can't drive it off this time, Mo
sieur Lobois. 1t is firmly seated, al
must have its run. But the lady has
sound constitution, so you need appr
hend no danger. But she has not Il
lowed my directions, | am sure, or 81
would not thus have sunk. Has she hi
the nutritious food orderedT
Simon stammered out a reply to the G
feet that the negro woman might ha
neglected 1t.
The physician dealt out his medici1
and having given directions for the ca
of his patient, he retired. Simon pl
cured for his wife another attendant,
as to have two of them, and then he
formed Louise that his business call
him up the river.
'To the chateau?" asked she, faint
Eyes. l was in hopes that you won
have accompanied me. but that is nj
impossible. However, | must go, thou
/ shall return as soon as possible"
"And what will you tell my fatherT
"Simply that you are my wife.
course | shall explain how / rescued y
from the savages, and how, in return
claimed your hand. But have prepaT
the best Of care for you during my I
sence, and you shall not want for Al
thing. The physician will be regular
his visits, and hope to find you W
when | return"
The invalid betrayed no sorrow at
departure Of her husband, nor did ;
exhibit any extended signs Of deep aft
tion at his adieu. She closed her e.
as he spoke the parting words, nor
she open them again until old Loppa ca
and whispered in her ear that her h