The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1903-05-09
white land
IA Tale Of the Early Settlers /
Of Louisiana. !

BY AUSTIN c. BURDlcK
Observation-Disclosures
CHAPTER xIv.-(Contlnued }

A0ues spare me from your PROFESSIONS
of love, for they only add to my misery.
New answer me solemn question:
Where is my brother?"
Your brother?" Simon uttered, start
Ing in spite OF himself. what should
know of him2"
But do YOU not know of him?' she
asked, looking him steadily in the eye.
Il do moi" But he trehbled while he
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 abductionp
"I-I-a-haye had enough to think
/ of without that My love for you has
engfossed my every thought, and claimed
my whole attention."
Then You know nothing of him.
l--I-why, how on earth should I2'
Never mind. If you do not, then that
Is enough. Now, appoint the time for
the wedding when you will"
ut shall be this very day."
"As you will. If it must be so, care
not for time. Henceforth ali 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!"
Nonsense! But come; you shall find
better quarters than these"
So Simon Lobois led his promised bride
forth from the prison house back to the
dpynlltnO from xryho hn bod hooT1 FOL
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 suitable habit. 1t was dress
made after the fashion Of the times, of
pale blue silk with scarlet facings, and
worked with silver lace and thread. 1t
belonged originally to one of Perier's
daughters, but she had never yet worn
1t, 1t having been made for her wedding
dress, and her lover dying ON the eve Of
marriage.
The dress fitted Louise to @ 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 a number of
people collected, and the aged priest was
there In his robes.
The poor girls head ached, and when
she stood before the priest she trembled
violently, and even Simon was startled
when he saw how pale she looked.
go on" she whispered. 80, go on,
and let me out from here, or shall die"
The priest commenced the ceremony,
and Simon answered the questions dis
tinctly. Then the holy man turned to
the bride, and he asked her the usual
questions. She looked up. and in faint,
forced voice, she replied:
''To the best of my abilities l will do
all this"
What more could human law require?
Even Simon was surprised for he had
feared she would hesitate. But he knew
not how sick and faint she was, and that
she might have answered thus promptly
in order to hasten the ceremony, for she
wanted fresh air. The ceremony was fin
ished, and the nuptial tie had been form
ed, and the marriage was registered In
the great parchment book of the clerk.
The. fee was paid, ana then the bri E.
groom turned away.
Simon, as they reached the open air.
''what is the matter? What is it that
thus affects your
20. am sick-sick as death!' was the
faint reply. "Hasten-hastcn to our
home. or,~I shall fail and sink by the
waysidew
Simon saw that his companion spoke
the truth, and with quick steps he hur-
;oI hi; -,
his arms, and anon helping her to walk.
AT length they reached their dwelling,
and Loppa was at once sent for the ply
stefan. The old man came. and at
glance he saw that his patient had re-
lapse of her fever, and this time he shook
his head as he remarked:
I'VE can't drive it off this time, Mon
sieur Lohois. 1t is firmly seated, and
must have it's run. But the lady has a
sound constitution, so you need appre-
bend no danger. But she has not fol-
lowed my directions. I am sure, or she
would not thus have sunk. Has she had
the nutritious food | ordered?"
Simon stammered out a reply to the eff
feet that the negro woman might have
neglected 1t.
The physician dealt out his medicine,
and having given directions for the care
of his patient, he retired. Simon pro.
cured for his wife another attendant, so
as to have two Of them. and then he in.
formed Louise that his business called
him up the river.
ITO the chateau?" asked she, family.
Eyes. was in hopes that you would
have accompanied me, but that is now
impossible. However, must go, though
shall return as soon as possible."'
And what will you tell my father?
"Simply that you are my wife. or
course shall explain how rescued you
from the savages, and how, in return,
claimed your hand. But have prepared
the best of care for you during my alb
sence, and you shall not want for any
thing. The physician will be regular in
his visits, and hope to find you we'll
when return"
The invalid betrayed no sorrow at the
departure Of her husband, nor did she
exhibit any extended signs of deep affec-
tion at his adieu. She closed her eyes
40 he spoke the parting words, nor did
she open them again until old Loppa came
and whispered In her ear that her hus-
band was gone. ....
FYrT