Condon globe. (Condon, Gilliam Co., Or.) 189?-1919, 1903-05-14
CHAprRR XXITI.

Louise went on and told her startling
story, and as she did so, more than one
bright look OF holy gratitude was cast
upon the beautiful Coqualla.
"And now" said she. In conclusion. II
am able to give you some clue to the great
mystery which uRderlies the whole.
When Stung Serpent was upon his death
bed, he sent for me, and he told me all,
and he gave me this paper in token OF
his truth. Read 1t, father, and know
what a villain you have kept beneath
ysur ROOM"
AS Louise handed her father the paper,
Simon LObois started to his feet.
"Backw shouted Louis, springing for
ward and pushing him back into his
chair. ''Tony, watch this man. and see
that he does not leave the room"
Old Tony, who had stood by and heard
ALL now moved to Simon's side, and as
the villain gazed upon the huge bulk of
the negro, he uttered stited groan, and
settled back.
The marquis read the paper aloud, 1t
was as follows:
"This Is my bond, that will pay to
Stung Serpent one hundred large pieces
OF gold, In French coin, when he shall
have removed Louis and Louise st. Ju.
lien from their home. And he, on his
part, promises that said Louis shall he
killed, and that Louise shall be sent safe
ly to the middle trail on Lake Pontchar-
train. SIMON LObOlS.
That was enough. Simon denied It all,
then swore, then drew his sword, and
l-nI hfvr, and
long afterwards he was taken from the
room.
Before noon, Louise had contrived,
with CoQualla's assistance, to remove the
last stain from her skin, and when she
stood, all white and pure, she saw a tear
on CoQualla's dark cheek.
"What is it?" she asked.
"Nothing," was the reply.
"Ah, tell me the truth. Coqualla viii
not deceive her sister"
"No-no," murmured the noble girl,
throwing her arms about Louise's neck,
and pillowlng her head upon her bosom.
"But you will forgive me. CoQualla has
left her people forever, but she has not
left her skin"
"But tell me all, my sister,"
"Coqualla loved the White Hand. and
she was only sister. Now CoQualla has
seen another with the same beautiful
| face. But she does not murmur. She Is
content; only"
$50 on, my sister. Tell me all"
"If CoQualla was white, she could love;
o, my sister does not know how she
could have been loved had she not been
CoQualla's sister!'
Louise had read the girls secret, and
as she gdEed into those soft, mild fea.
lures, she uttered, with all the truth of
her soul:
"CoQualla does not need a whittier skin.
She is beautiful enough. l know Co
qualla's heart, and her face Is as pure as
that"
The maiden princess blessed her sister,
and wiped away her tears, for she heard
some one coming.
On the next morning the room where
Simon Lobois had been put was found
empty, and the slave Peter was also
found to be missing; but no search was
made for them, for the one was worth,
| less and the other carried guilt enough
to punish him with its shame and bur.
den.
And now Joy was once more in st. Ju-
liens household. Goupart and Louise
wandered about together, and for while
Louis was left alone, for the only Other
young person with whom he could asso.
ciate seemed to shun him. One day
Louise drew her brother one side, and
whispered with him, for she had tRd