Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1904-06-09
yes. Madame,


l not right?'
Yes. l am Agnes dc la Mora. bu,
that note was not intended for me"
She came closer to Jacques, so close
indeed she laid her trembling hand up
on his sleeve.
Tell me-you know this Captain de
Mouret wcll--tell me If you would save
an innocent woman. has this Captain
de Mouret love affair here? Answer
me. answer me truly, has he love af-
fair, or--or mistress?"
Her innocence and direct question
abashed Jacques sorely and set him &c
wondering what manner of escapade
was this his master had got into
II will go to her, be She what she
may, go to anybody; my husband must
not kill this innocent man. No, and
here | disturb myself about my own
reputation while two lives are in jeop-
ardy. l must think, j must act-but
how?"
And she broke down TO weep again,
showing the woman in her that was
behind so brave front. Her tears
We're not for long. jacques felt ii was
his turn now to say something. so he
Numbered out, "see the governor then
one whit better he went. II will see the
governor for you
The good fellow had i'm that moment
for the first time realized that he could
stop the affair, and do it he would If
he had to quit the colony And she
such lovely lady, so gentle with the
poor.
Do you not fear to speak with him
of such as this?''
No, Madame, Bienvilles soldiers do
not fear him: they leave that for his
enemies"
And SO it fell out that Jacques told
the governor. And he told him all.
" was ever Bienville's wont To act
with quick decision.
Order Major Boisbriant to report to
me at once" And off posted jacques
upon his errand.
That officer attended with military
promptitude.
Major Boisbriant do you seek on
the instant the Chevalier de la Mora
and bear him company wherever he
may go until you are relieved Put
upon MIN no restraint. and say moth
Ing of your having such orders from,
me il you can avoid it. There is
trouble brewing here which | want to
prevent; an affair of honor. you under
stand. He has gone toward the land
ing on the bay BE discreet and deli
cate"
Boisbriant nodded his comprehension.
saluted, and was gone Benville
turned to jacques.
Saddle my horse at once and hrin,
him here
1t was much later than i had boped
before | could with dccency return 10
Biloxi Impatient. childish and excited
recrossed the bay, leaving a little de-
tan OF soldiers to watch beside the
body of my friend. AS soon as l saw
Jacques ON the other shore knew
something had gone wrong That
senseless knave was pacing unccrtainlv
about the beach sfo1n,ino i,o,o 49,,
there to dig great holes in the sand.
with his toe and carefully FILLING them
up again. The fellow cye,. on ~,
watch for me, was at the same time
Watching the path from, eiIoyi a,,a
seemed to dread nv coming lnstand
of meeting me at The watn,. no ,r,i,.d
for me to approach him. thus is le s,,'ing
tho two boatmen an, or ,,a.,ri,,.r .
Well. give me the note Why as' stand
lows hesltant manner angered and
frightened me.
There is no note, SIR"
mo reply?
THE lady sent none"
''Why?"
Under my questions Jacques turned
red and pale, then he Numbered out:
THE Chevalier de la Mora said he
would bring the answer TO you himself
at the shore"
He kept his eyes fast riveted upon
another hole he was digging in the
sand.
"The-chevalicr?" / knew what that
meant. Great God, and this was the
end of 1t ALL
Tell me. you bungling fool, what
knows he of this
Pardon. master; thought no harm
Of 1T; you had never before employed
me on such an Grand
1t was now my own turn to seek the
ground with my eyes, so Just, 30 hum
BILE was the rebuke.
II thought no harm of 1t, sir and
gave ii to madame I'm the garden; she
called upon the chevalier to read it
for her"
What said he? To her? Was he
violent?"
No, sir, most polite; terribly polite,
and cool; but, master, you must not
meet him: he will kin you"
or this had sca,lt doubt.
Did he make no sign as IL he would
do her harm?''
NO. sir, not then, but he looked so
queer one could hardly say what he
medtated | would not care to have
him look at me like that"
was paralyzed by the suddenness of
the ill-fortune which had befalen, but
! was TO be allowed no dav of grace In
which to plan line of conduct. My
face had been turned all this while
toward the sea. there being something
soothing to me about the long, even
sweep Of those bright blue waters in
the south.
Jacques faced the town. / noted a
deprecatory gesture, and following his
gaze saw the cheialier himself COM
ing our way at a good round pace. My
knees did quake. and the veriest pol
troon might have well been ashamed
of the ovcrwcening fear which pos
Spssed mo In defense of which I NAV