Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1903-05-12
White bland
"a Tale of the Early Settlers !
: Of Louisiana. )
Z BY AUSTEfS c. BURDlCK I
CHAPTER XXI.
BY AUSTIN c. BURDlcK

Louise had a very se7ere sickness, ana
a part of the time she was oIt of Ter
head. But gradually the delirium passed
away, and she was at length able to slt
up. Three weeks had she lain thus ere
she could rise from her bed; but on the
fourth week she was able to walk about
the room 1t was at the close of the
fourth week that her husband returned.
Have l been away longer than you
expected?" he asked.
NO" was the quiet reply, 'for I've
expected nothing about it."
"Ah!' uttered Simon, with show of
chagrin.
II have been too sick to expect any
thing" explained Louise.
orr uttered the husband, more mild
ly.'
"Yes-I have been very sick. even
feared at one time | should never see
you again."
There was something so piquant in this
that Simon was sure there was sarcasm
in it. but he chose not to expose his
doubts.
Il, too, have been laid up" he said,
after gazing into her face for some mo-
ments.
''Ah-how? 1 noticed your hand was
rolled in rags. What has happened?
Have you been fighting the wicked In
dians?
Again Simon bit his lip, but he kept
calm. -.
Il have had duel on your account"
"Is it possible? How was it?'
81 heard you insulted most grossly, and
/ would not bear it."
"You should not have borne it, at least,
if you loved your wife. But who was
it?"
"Goupart ST. Denis.'
Louise started.
Explain" she said, earnestly and Gag
erly.
"Ha! the name moves you, does it?'
"Why should it not? You know he
was once a lover of mine
This open avowal, so frank and hon
est, seemed to please Lobois,. and he
went on to explain:
mo matter what was said, but st.
Denis struck me- OF course challenged
him. We chose swords. Your father was
present He would have stopped it if he
could, for he feared / should get hurt"
As you did. .
Listen. We fenced awhile. and I
found that the boy was at my mercy.
Twice / refused to press my point upon
his open bosom. Finally, when l saw.
that 'twould be downright murder for
me to kill him, I bade him put up his
sword. He asked me for what-for he
knew not that l only toyed with him.
This is only boys play, said /. Then
put up your sword said he. l did SO,
and just as my point touched the ground
he brought me blow across the hand.
What do you think of thaty,'
Perhaps 1 ought not to speak my
thoughts"
'Surely you ought. What do you think
OF it?''
"Well, then, 1 think you have told me
very fine story"
"Eh? Do you doubt my word?'
"Doubt you? Doubt the word of ST.
mon Lobois? Believe that my own hus-
band could speak falsehood? Never, 81
mon-neverr'
Sharply the scamp looked into Louise's
face, but he could detect nothing there,
save calm, cool expression of utter SIM
plicity; yet he knew she was quizzing
him.
"But you did not tell me how this all
came out" she said. What did you
do after Gonpart had struck you op the
hand?"
what could do? My hand was pow
erless. might have knocked him down
with my left hand, but l spared him. He
was beneath all notice, save that of mere
contempt"
Poor Goupart! Did he know how deep
was your contempt for him?'
what mean you?"
''Why, simply that you could have in
ficted no worse punishment upon him
than to have let him know that you held
him in contempt. It must have nearly
killed himr'
'Look ye, my fine girl, you are ventur-
ing on dangerous ground. You may say
too much! uttered Lobois, now showing
his anger.
Louise bowed her head a moment, and
she seemed to think that her companion
spoke the truth, for she quickly replied,
after she looked up:
Excuse me-pardon me. I have but
just recovered from a severe sickness,
and my first feelings We're naturally those
of joy and gladness, and you know how
often you and l have joked and pestered
each other We have often said very
hard things in jest, and have even pull
ed your hair till you fairly cried with
pain, and yet you never got provoked be-
fore.'
This was spoken so earnestly, and with
so much apparent feeling, that Simon
was molli6ed in a moment.
Let it pass" he said; "only in future
choose a light occasion for light CONVEX
sation. And now to something of more
Importance. When can you be ready
to go up the river?'
"At any time,' answered Louise.
every well. | will see the physician
this evening, and be governed somewhat
by his advice"
Shortly after this Lobois went out, and
when he returned he reported that the
doctor would come in the morning. So
that night Louise was left with Loppa,
and on the next morning the do tor came,
and with him came the anxious husband.
The former examined his patient care
fully, and he expressed the opinion that
the wife should not undertake the jour-
ney under a week at least.
"Then l believe l shall go to Biloxi.
There is a ship ready to sail, and / have
some business to do there"
Louise expressed her entire willingness,
so Simon resolved to go. In truth he
was now expecting soon to be master of