The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1903-03-28
white Hand
/ A Tale Of the Early Settlers
/ of Louisiana.
5sEa -==-@~-- -LE
CHAPTER VI.
nv AUSTIN g. BURDIcK

BULH uHu plenty To Luluk oLI anu eaCA
seemed to have thoughts which he wish
ed to keep from the other. Goupart
was the FIRST to break the silence.
Louis" he asked, in a half careless
tone, "does Simon Lobois love your SIS
Ger?'
Louis fairly started at the strange
question, and after regarding his COM
panion for a moment, as IL to assure
himself that he had heard Alright, he re-
piled:
Love her? Simon live Louise? What
do you mean?" ..-..
II mean what ask. Has Simon Lo-
bois ever thought of marrying with
LouiseT'
why, what question: Are your wits
turned2 But why do you ask?'
Simply because Il wished to know"
"Ha! Goupart, you suspect something.
Now, out with 1t. If you love me, tell
me all. Am not right?"
II cannot say that I really suspect,
Louis, but / can see some small straws
in the wind, and l should like to find
which way they lie."
go ahead. Speak on"
"Then listen, Louis. You heard the
answer that red villain made when you
asked him who, sent him to kill US? He
said they did not mean to kill you. Do
you believe he spoke the truth then?"
"Yes, Coup; they meant to kill one Of
us, and only one. The arrow that came
near your head was meant for you, only
you must have moved after the shaft
started. Had they meant death for both
of us, we should hardly have known
what killed us, for then they would have
been at home in their work. When we
started up, they could not well shoot you
without endangering my life. and thus
they got bothered. They were mistaken
in their estimate of my character, for
they really believed, when they drew
their tomahawks, and commenced their
death-howl and dance, that we should be
frightened out Of our wits"
'"They were mistaken, in truth" return
ed Gsupart And then, in a changed
tone, he added, But you see they meant
to kill me, and only capture you. Now,
what does it mean? Can you inform me
of any possible pin wherein to hang
thought?"
For some distance Louis walked
thoughtfuliy on, and when he spoke, his
voice was very low and distinct.
my sister? Had you any reason for sus-
pecting such thing?"
1t was now Goupart's turn to hesitate,
but it was not for long time.
II have reason to believe that he hates
me. Now, why should he be so? While
/ knew him in France, we were on the
most friendly terms. To be sure, used
to beat him at the pistol, but then he
more than made up for it in the sword
play. But we were the best friends inn
aginable. Now, however, he hates or
fears me, and the more he tries to hide
it, the more plainly can l see it. Now,
whence comes it, il not from his fear of
losing Louise?"
"Goupart, there's a show of substance
there! Yet l never thought that Simon
was man to love deeply"
ITO love whatw
"Why-any female"
"Ah." returned Goupart, she may have
a strong affection, however, for some
thousand pieces of hard. yellow gold
The dying man said, If you remember
that there was a strange bird in the
eagles nest!"
"Yes-yes."
II might have feared that suspicion
would fall on me, had not been one OF
the intended victims. But tell me, Louis
what you think OF It."
II know not what to think now! Blu
you have touched a strange point. VIZ
will watch Simon Lobois when we reacl
home"
1--WE WILL" uttered Goupart, eagerly
eve will watch him."
"Ay," resumed Louis, upon whose
mind the startling suspicion seemed II
work now, 1--WE will work it so that w,
will come upon him suddenly; and Will,
we tell of cur adventure, we will not
his face. have loved that man in day
gone by, for he has been faithful to me
yet have found him growing somewha
strange of late. Ha! what's that
Louise, as I'm sinner! Coup, I'll asl
her a question now, ere we reach tn
housew
The two hunters had now reached tn
field next to the dwelling. and they saw
Louise, accompanied by Tony and on
female slave, coming to meet them. A
over, and Tony had taken the venison
Louis drew his sister aside.
Louise" he said, assuming a smile
pardon me if ask you a very FOOLS
question, but yet hope you will answe
me truly. Has Simon Lobois ever sal
anything to you whereby you could sus
pect that he wished to possess you 70
his?"
why, Louis, what has put such
thing into your head%' uttered the beat
tiful girl, looking her brother in the fac
with a smiling expression.
1.-THE thought has come to me, and it
really for my interest to know. Now te
me If he has ever let drop any word t
that effect"
''Really, Louis, l ought not to"
"Aha! you've exposed yourself. No
out with it."
''Well, then, he has"
az thought So"
81 told him should fear he was Graz
If he ever spoke SO again"
"Then he spoke plainly-he-"
''IIl tell You, Louis. He swore /
should die if did not wed him; and
laughed at him, and told him he W,
crazy. never dreamed Of such a thin
before"
''And when was this?"
"On the very next night after Goupart