Idaho Springs siftings., 1905-04-15

leans that he is mad for love of the
Spanish girl
And she?" inquired Jean carelessly.
as he patted the head of hound
crouched by his chair.
Pierre shrugged his broad shoulders.
She is woman; who. therefore,
may say what she thinks, or will do
or not do?"
Jean laughed as he knocked the
ashes from his cigar.
Thou hast poor opinion OF the
fair ones. my Pierre"
Have |? If so. 1t was thyself
taught me the lesson"
The laughing face sobered at once,
and a troubled look came into the eyes
fixed upon Pierre's half-mocking ones.
Say You. Pierre, that l taught you
any such lessone"
Aye. that you have, with your scorn
OF women and their ways. Seeing
through your eyes. long ago learned
TO look upon women as but snares. to
love whom brings mischief and the
ruin OF a mans heart"
Pierre wondered at the sentleness OF
the tone that answered. IF ever |
taught You such thing. / taught, un-
knowingly. something l never believed
myself for think true woman is a
thing 10 reverence as the saints, and
that love in mans life is like" He
stopped short. and his dark face took
a dreaming look as he gazed into the
fire
After a short silence he continued.
The lack of love in mans life is
Ike a world without sunshine. or a
lamp without oil-without light. And
20 live always in darkness would make
life little worth the living
Pierre had been staring at him, and
as he stared his slunbering wits awak-
ened
In a cropping but certain way. he be
gan to rightly suspect the possible
cause of hitherto puzzling change he
had noticed in his fosterbrother. and.
satisfied as to this. he now blurted out,
Jean. my brother. tell me-who is
she you loye?"
Jean started, and his brows con-
tracted into a frown.
Thou art not angry with me. that
asked?'
Angry" The word was repeated
With soft laugh. as il the snpposition
were too absurd to call for refutation.
And she loves thee In return?"
Pierre ventured. encouraged by the
laAgh.
Jean shook his head. and n bitter
sadness touched tho still smiling lips.
Not love thee," exclaimed Pierre.
incredulously. Then she must be
blind. or fool." hc added. an sudden
wrath
Neither the one nor the other, my
Pierre" Jean answ cred. as he rose
from his chair Il had never thought
to ask her love, nor knew that loved
her. when. by accident. she discovered
that I was the terrible pirate. I.afitte
and shrank from me as II ! had been
the plague. or death Itself That was
long ago: and / have not since laid
eyes on her"
There vas world Of suppressed
passion sounding underneath the ring
of mockery in his voice. and Pierre
saw his hand tremble as he laid his
| arm against the stone support of the
tuiHitg anu ipHhtA NpN II into NHt en-
4 bers.
Pierre now rose and tossed HIS cigar
into the fireplace. appearing to think
/ there was nothing more to be said
But he turned quickly to Jean as the
latter laying a hand upon his foster
1 brothers shoulder. added. you know
my secret. Pierre: for the present let
II rest where 1t is. and give no heed
as to who she Is. may yet win her;
and may rot II do. then you snail
| know her. and you Will love her: OF
| that | feel assured.
We'll YOU may. my Jean. IL she is
dear to thee: for that she must now be
[ TO me"
Aye. and God bless thee for true
other self" said Jean. grasping the
/ others hand. THAT | could know,
without the telling. Still it is pleas.
ant 10 hear thee say 1t. | will clear
my name. Pierre-thlne and mine:
that must be first. After that-we
shall see."
,