Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1903-05-12
dreadful blow that has been inflicted up

on me-"
Louis, my dear boy" at this juncture
exclaimed Simon, having now recovered
his presence of mind sufficiently to hide
his real emotions of fear and chagrln.
Dear Louis, let me welcome you back
to our home"
And as he spoke he advanced and ex-
tended his hand. The youth gazed upon
him a moment in stern silence.
Simon Lobois," he uttered, drawing
proudly up, II did not think you would
offer me that hand!'
'|How-a-ehT' gasped the wretch,
turning pale again. You should not thus
reject the hand of your brother-in-law.'
White Hand started.
"Brother-in-lawr' he repeated. Are
you mad?'
''No-I am a husband"
White Hand crossed over to where
Louise stood and took her by the hand.
They whispered together moment, and
then the youth turned towards Simon.
Villain" he exclaimed, you forced
her to this!"
''She consented to the marriage" re-
turned Simon, triumphantly.
st. Denis sprang to his feet. He mov-
ed to Louise's side, and grasped her
hand.
LOUISE" he said, in a broken voice.
"tell me all; tell me if you gave this
man your heart; for in the years of dark
ness that shall follow this blow, it will
afford a gIimmer of light to know l am
not all forgotten by my souls idol"
"Goupart, he forced me to the mar
riage-"
"Silencev' thundered Lobois, starting
towards where the speaker stood. LOU
ice, remember you are my wife, and as
such claim obedience. Breathe another
word of calumny on my head and Ill
make you wish your tongue had be en-
torn out by the roots ere you used it So"
''Simon, you know you did force me to
become your Wife"
At this moment st. Denis started up,
and his dark eyes burning with fire, he
said:
''Stand back, villain! You are her hns-
band, but dare to interfere now and III
smite you as / would a yenomous rep
tile"
"And l am with you, Goupart," added
White Hand, starting forward, and
clenching his fists "Go on, sister,"
Simon Lobois gazed first upon st. Den
is, and then upon the dark skinned youth,
and he feared them. Then he looked to-
wards the aged parent, who stood with
his hands to his eyes sobbing as though
his poor heart would break; and the vii
lain evidently felt uncomfortable.
II refused him at first" continued the
unfortunate one, "and told him | loved
Goupart St. Denis. Then he told me he
had seen my fathers wealth accumulate
under his care, and had looked on part
of it as belonging to him, and he would
not now see another come in and snatch
that wealth away. He determined to
have his share. l told him if he forced
me to become his wife | would beg of
my father to give me not sou. Then he
swore If such a thing were done. he
would make my life such a scene of tor-
tnre should pray for death to come
and relieve me-"
''Liarv' htssed Simon.
"No-no," calmly replied Louise; II
speak but truth Then turning to her
listeners: But / refused to marry him,
and on the very next night, after mid
night, two stout men came and carried
me away. l was weak and faint then,
for had but just recovered from sick
ness. Yet they carried me away and
locked me in a dark prison house. They
refused me both food and drink. There
1 came nigh famishing with hunger and
thirst. At length the villain came to me;
and when I begged for drop of water
he swore I should have none till l had
promised to be his wife! My mind was
fluttering, and thirst made me frantic.
l promised to be his wife! Then he
brought me bread and milk; he took me
from the prison: and soon arrangements
were made for the wedding. He had OBJ
tanned the consent of the colonial gov
ernor, and we were married in the
church, the governor himself being pres
ent When the priest put his questions
to me, was burning with fever, and a
dreadful sickness was upon me. Yet my
mind was not shaken. / promised to the
best of my abilities to do all he had ask
ed of me. Then we were pronounced
man and wife, and | begged of him to
hurry away, for l was faint and sick. l
reached our home; the fever seized me,
and ragged for many weeks. Health
came at last, and I reached my fathers
house."
CTo be continued.l