The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1903-02-27
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White Hand
"A Tale Of the EARLY Settlers !
! Of Louisiana. !
BY AUSTIN c. BURDIcK
1@NN99@9@0NANNNN Xxx,
CHAPTER vII.-(Continuedl

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CHAPTER VII.-(Continued.
Speak to ME, Louise" uttered Gou-
part now speaking quickly and eagerly,
"and tell me If you have forgotten those
words l 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 outllyed 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,
I 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 / have asked you a
hundred times before, viii you be my
wifeY
"Goupart, have a father whose every
earthly wish is for the good of his chill
dren and not for worlds would IL"
II understand" said St. Denis, as the
maiden hesitated and stopped. "And be
assured that / would not ask, even for
life itself at thy hands, against thy mo-
BILE fathers wish. But suppose ask
him and he bids me take youfp
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 solemn, prayerful
cast such as marks the holiest 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
dians? What on earth makes you look
so soberY
'It is 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 well to
hesitate, and he spoke boldly and to the
point
my friend" he said, that love ev-
cry member Of your immediate family
must be apparent to you; but you will
not be jealous If ] also inform you that
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 time,
and now it has come. Among all my ac
quaintances, you were the only one to |
whom my hopes could turn. You shall |
take my child, and you shall take me.
| am growing lazy, II not old, and not |
much longer will Simon remain with me-"
"Ah," uttered the youth, with a look |
Of relief, 'is Simon going"
Eyes. He isn't just the man for me. |
l will not have dissension, and so we |
keep peace; but yet much of my nephew's |
conduct makes me nervous. | do not like |
his plans about the estate, and yet he |
shows an abrupt, willful spirit If | offer |
a word Of expostulation. He seems bent |
on realizing all the ready money he can |
from the place without the least regard |
to its future worth and improvement | |
do not like it. Yes, yes-Simon must |
seek some other home"
"Harkr' interrupted Goupart. "What |
was that noise?"
II heard nothing" said the old man.
''Let me look a moment" And thus |
speaking, the youth went to the door |
and looked out But he saw nothing. He |
stepped out into the entry; but there was
no one there. IL must have been mis- |
TAKEN" he said, as he returned to the |
library and closed the door after him.
Ahl he did not look in the right place.
Had he cast his eyes up to the ceiling,
he would have seen a small hole where
the host once had a copper pipe lead |
down to feed showering bath. And had
he but gone up into the small lumber
room overhead, he would have found
man there, lying fat. like serpent, with
his eye to that small aperture; and he
would have seen at a glance that the
watcher could both see and hear all that
transplred in the libraryl