The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1903-04-09
|WhiieHand|
"a Tale Of tho Early Settlers
/ Of Louisiana.

} BY AUSTIN C. BURDIcK
aAMAAAAAAAAAMMAAAMN~~~~~A
CHATTER XY.-.iContinued.l


"Why, really, gentlemen" said Simon,
after he had picked the paped up, "one
would think there was something surpris-
ing In aosimple marriage And you, sir,
he added, turning to the marquis, L
should not suppose that you would won
der at this, especially seeing that you
yourself gave me permission to seek
Louise for my wife,"
II did notY groaned the old man. 20,
/ never gave itI'
"You told me distinctly that | might
ask Louise for her hand, and that II she
consented you should bid her follow her
own choice"
But that was after you had fairly
hunted me down with questions-after |
had refused to listen to you on the sub
ject. But my child never freely gave her
consent to this. She could not have done
so. o, Simon, you have forced her to
this! You have" But the poor mans
emotions were too powerful, and his
speech failed him. A moment more he
gazed into the villains dark features, and
then he bowed his head and burst mo
tears. He sobbed as though his noble
heart would break.
"Ha, ha, ha! you didn't want me for a
son-in-law, then" the scoundrel uttered,
In a coarse tone; "for," he added, turning
a defiant look upon Goupart, "you meant,
no doubt, to have had more beautiful
husband for her."
"You will be careful how you use your
tongue In my presence" spoke G0upart,
In hushed tone, the very breathing OF
which told that there was a smothering
volcano near at hand.
Hobo, monsieur the fellow repliedi
''you hoped to stick your fingers into the
old mans gold pots, eh? / understand
the reason Of your coming here very we'll
But rest assured you won't handle the
money through the daughters pockets.
Hush, Simon Lobois! l am moved
now more deeply than can bear, so be
careful that you move me no more. 1t Is
enough that you have crushed this old
mans heart, and overturned his life cup
"LIo-ho! thou art wondrous sensitive
Monsieur st. Denis You have lost the
prize, ehl suppose If you had married
the daughter, 'twould have been all right
But you're little behind the coach this
time. However, if you remain here long
enough you shall see the bride"
"ViIlain" gasped the marquis, In a
frantic tone. 20, would you had killed
me ere you had done this thing!"
But, monsieur, what do you mean? II
the girl chose to marry me, what car
you objectT
'She did not choose so to do. o, she
never consented to wed with such as you
OF her own free will"
"Such as me!' hissed Lobois. "And sc
you would spurn me now, eh? You have
found new flame in your dotage-havs
you? Monsieur st. Denis, give you JOY
OF, the friend you have gained: but
can't give you up the wife. You did II
well, but I'm afraid you'll have to work
some other way for living now, unless
indeed, monsieur lie marquis may take
pity enough on you to give you few
crowns just to find you in bread and salt
until you can get your eyes, upon some
other heiress!'
This was spoken In a coarse, sneering
manner, and during Its delivery Lobois
had kept his eye fixed upon the youth
with a look of fendish exultation.
Goupart st. Denis could not have NOV
ed more quickly. Not in all the language
Of all the world could words have beer
found more insulting. With one bound
he was by the dastard's side, and on the
next instant he dealt him blow upor
the face that felled him to the floor like
log.
20, st. Julien, could not help 1t! For
give meF'
"Goupart, l do not blame you'll"
For some moments Lobois lay upon thu
floor like one dead, and the youth wa'
beginning to fear that the blow nigh
have been fatal when the villain moved
and shortly afterwards he arose to hi
feet. He gazed a moment upon his enc
my with deadly look, and then, as h,
noticed that the blood was trickling dowr
his face upon the floor, he turned towards
the door.
"Goupart st. Denis, thou shalt answe,
for thisf'
And thus speaking, the villain left tn,
room.