The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1903-04-04
WhiteHand|
"A Tale Of the Early Settlers
Of Louisiana. ;
BY AUSTIN c. BURDIcN
CHAPTER VII.-(Continued.)

CHAPTER VII.-(Continued.)
''Speak to me, louise" uttered Gou-
part, now speaking quickly and eagerly,
"and tell me if you have forgotten those
words | used to speak. Have you for
gotten them?"
"No-not one"
"Then let me speak them again. Let
me now speak them as one who knows
the ways Of life; and to one who can
Judge for herself of the deep meaning
that passing years have given to all those
emotions that. have outlived the destroy
ing wear Of time. In the heart where
thine image was first enshrined, none 9th
er has ever come. | have cherished your
sweet face, and in humble prayer have
begged that might see you once more
on EARTH And, at times, my soul has
been wild enough in its flights Of hope
to picture that one most holy thought Of
all-life-uniOn with the dearly loved one.
When my feet first touched these shores,
l dreamed not that | was near to thee.
But found you, and here | sat me down
to pray with more of hope, and to hope
with more of promise. And now, Louise,
let me ask you, as l have asked you a
hundred times before, will you be my
wife?"
"Goupart, have a father whose every
earthly wish is for the good Of his chill
dren, and not for worlds would II
II understand" said st. Denis, as the
maiden hesitated and stopped. And be
assured that l would not ask, even for
life itself at thy hands, against thy no.
BILE fathers wish. But suppose l ask
him and he bids me take your"
"Then / am by his permission only
what in heart have been for years"
A short time longer those two sat there.
and their words had a solemn, prayerful
cast, such as marks the hottest gratitude
of the human SOUL and as they walked
towards the house, they spoke not Of the
subject upon which their life joys hung.
1t was already dusk when they reach
ed the hall, and while Louise went to re-
move her moccasins, st. Denis went to
seek Brion St. Julien. He found him in
his library.
How now, Goupart?" cried the old
man, as his young friend took a seat
"What has happened? Any more In
dams? What on earth makes you look
90 sober?"
at Is q deep and sober subject which is
on my mind" answered the youth.
"Then out with it, for am father con-
fessor here"
st. Denis knew the marquis too we'll to
hesitate, and he spoke boldly and to the
point.
my FRIEND" he said, "that l love ev-
cry member of your immediate family
must be apparent to you; but you will
nj hn Italians 10 I o1cn In I'll a
my love for Louise Is rather stronger
than for any one else"
st. Julien arose and placed his hand
upon the youths head, and, while big
tears gathered in his eyes, he said:
"Goupart, my noble boy, you have
made me the happiest of men. o, have
prayed for this moment many u time,
and now 1t has come. Among all my &C
Quaintances, you were the only one &c
whom my hopes could turn. You shall
take my child, and you shall take me-
/ am growing lazy, if not old, and not
much longer will Simon remain with me. "
"Ah," uttered the youth, with look
of relief, lis Simon going?"
eyes. He isn't just the man for me
/ will not have dissension, and so we
keep peace; but yet much Of my nephew's
conduct makes me nervous. l do not like
his plans about the estate, and yet hi
shows an abrupt, wllful spirit If l offel
a word of expostulation. He seems ben
on realizing all the ready money he car
from the place without the least regarC
to its future worth and improvement.
do not like it. Yes, yes-Simon mus
seek some other home"
"Harkr' interrupted Goupart. "Wha
was that noiseT'
81 heard nothing" said the old man.
"Let me look a moment" And thu
speaking, the youth went to the doc
and looked out. But he saw nothing. H
stepped out into the entry: but there wa
no one there. II must have been mis-
TAKEN" he said, as he returned to tn
library and closed the door after him.
Ain! he did not look in the right place
Had he cast his eyes up to the ceiling
he would have seen small hole wher
the host once had a copper pipe lea,
down to feed a showering bath. And ha
he but gone up into the small lumbe
room overhead, he would have found
man there, lying fiat, like serpent, wit
his eye to that small aperture; and h
would have seen at a glance that tn
watcher could both see and hear all tina
transpired in the library!