Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1903-04-14

the youth Win respect TO MS DeloVeQ.
But, at length, when the first hours af-
ter midnight had come, Goupart sank into
a dull, dreamy slumber, and his pains
were for awhile only the phantoms Of
sleep.
While Goupart thus lay pondering upon
his terrible misfortune, Simon Lobois
was not alone. He was in the chamber
he usually occupied, and with him Was
a black slave named Peter. He was
middle-aged man-Simon's special ser
want, and the only one in the whole
household who had any sympathy for
the dark nephew. Lobois had purchas-
ed him in New Orleans, and though he
had done so only as the marquis agent,
yet Peter looked upon the former as his
master. And, moreover, Simon had paid
him various sums of money to serve him.
Now, Peter" said Simon, after some
other conversation had passed, have you
watched the affair between Goupart and
the marquis, as l babe your
"Yes, mas'r; me watch 'um well, an
me hear all. Me foun' de hole you tole
me of in de floor ober de ole mas'r's IL
brary, an me hab watch 'um ebery time
rs got a chance"
''And what have you foundF
Peter went on and told a long story
he had heard about letting Simon 60,
and about Goupart taking his place.
"And," uttered the negro, with spark
ling eye as he gave sort of hourishing
emphasis to the conjunction, ines heard
one oder ting, berry sartin'; One time
dey feared young mas'r an missus'd neb-
Der cum back, an ole mas'r's gwine to
glib Goupart all his whole fortin'. He'll
hab heaps O. money, eh?"
did he say the whole, PeterT
"He did sartin,, mas'r. An he's plan
ned to glib i'm half of it now. o, tell
ye, masr Goupart got -mitey big hold
onto ole mas'r's pocket, an ONTO ole
mas'r's lub, too. Dey's togedder all de
time. Yah-guess ole mas'r don't s'pect
he'll want you no more"
1t was late in the morning when Simon
Lobois made his appearance. He had
his breakfast served In his own room,
and for some time he had been engaged
in bathing his face. He walked on to the
sitting room, and he found the marquis
and Goupart there.
Monsieur st. Denis," he said, in low,
icy tone, 81 would speak with you.'
In an instant the young man turned
and followed him. Lobois led the way
to the garden, and there he stopped and
turned.
Monsieur st. Den;s," he spoke, while
his eyes flashed and his thin lip trembled,
'1ast night you did what no living man
has ever done before. You struck me in
the face. Ere / leave this place, the
stricken man must be past remembrance
of his shame, or the striker must be not
among the living! You understandv'
Now, Goupart was not in frame of
mind to endure much, or to argue much
on moral points. His heart was aching
from a horrid wound, and his soul was
tortured by a fearful power; and before
him was the serpent who had done it all,
who had torn loved children from dot 4
ing parent-sundered theSbrother and Sis
ter, and made unhappy the life of de-
fenseless girl. The young mans eyes
did not flash like his enemy's, but they
burned with a deep, calm fire, such as
utter disgust and abomination add to
fierce hate.
81 think understand" was st. Denis
reply.
II taught you your first lessons In the
sword exercise, and you were proficient
when | last saw you handle the blade.
Will you now choose that weapon"
Eyes"
"Then get it and join me at once"
Gonupart turned away and went to his
room. He took. down his sword, and
buckled the belt about him. Then he
drew the blade, and for a moment he
gazed upon 1t. 1t had once been an un
cle's weapon-the well-tried companion
of Gen. st. Denis, bold and true knight.
1t was of Spanish make, and never yet
had it failed in the hour Of need. There
was another sword in the room-a lighter
one-a Damascus blade, apd of exquisite
finish, and one, too, with which the youth
had always played. But it had been his
fathers sword, and he would not use it
now. After he had returned the blade
to It's scabbard, he stopped a moment to
reflect. Then he moved to the table,
where an ink horn STOOD and tearing a
leaf from his pocketbook, he hurriedly
wrote as follows:
Monsieur le Marquis-You are my
friend, and you know the few friends l
have on earth. If fall to-day, you will
know why, and I know you will not
blame me- You will see Louise. Tell
her we shall meet"
The youth stopped and started UP, and
his hand trembled.
eff I fall thus, shall we meet thereT
he murmured to himself. 20, heaven
will pardon the deed. 1t knows the deep
provocation-the burning shame that
blights this house,
Then he stopped once more and wrote:
"-in that world where love knows no
night. ST. DENIS"
This the youth folded and directed to
Brion st. Julien, and wiping a single
tear from his cheek. he hurried down to
the hall, and from thence to the garden
where he found Simon waiting for him.
"Now follow me-" said Lobois; and
thus speaking, he led the way around the
house towards the barn, and thence out
through the postern to the foot of the
hill beyond, where grew thick clump of
hickory trees.
"Now, Goupart ST. Denis, are you
ready" asked Simon, at the same time
drawing his sword.
"In one moment" returned the youth.
also drawing his own weapon, but lower
ing it's point upon the ground.
He was stopped short in his speech, for
at that moment the marquis came rush
ing out from the court, and soon reached
the spot where they stood.
Simon" he gasped. white with fear,
kk