New Iberia enterprise and independent observer. (New Iberia, La.) 1902-1944, 1905-11-11

another, as if each were waiting for
the other to speak. until the former,
while he fingered the package he had
taken from the table, said in tone
whose gravity held something akin to
tenderness, Capt. LATTE, you under
stand, of course, that |, an officer OF
the army, cannot criticise in your
presence anything that took place
prinr to my assuming command here.
But, speaking as man, and as one
who has had his own share OF nard-
ship and sorrow, l may venture to ex'
tend to you my regret and sympathy
for the trouble and bereavement that
seem to have been-yours.'
Lafitte bent his head silently.
Claiborne, who had been fidgetlnS
impatiently, now fastened to say,
You will do me the justice, Capt. La
ftte, to believe that | wished to &C
cept your offer. But my personal
views were overruled by those upon
whose judgment l relied; and the ex-
redition to Barataria was sent at their
instigation-not mine"
"And yet said Lafitte, with dry
sarcasm that brought faint smile to
J1ckson's firm lips, you are the gov
ernor of Louisiana"
Claiborne WINGED; but before he
could answer the thrust Lafitte add
ed with a shrug of his shoulders,
But it matters not at whose instiga-
ton the outrage was committed. The
facts are as I have stated, and what
IS past must stand. Now, Gen. Jack
son. may | ask that you open that
package, and read the papers it con-
tains?'
As Jackson perused the first pa
per, the Impressions he gathered were
plainly observable in his look, and
talf-audible comments.
Fine bombast," he growled, before
going very far. Then, little way on,
"Sophomorical rubbish! Savors of
Eton, with some of George the Thirds
silly maunderings." And so on, until
the end was reached.
Claiborne had seated himself closer
to Jackson: and presently, the latter,
with an exclamation of the strongest
disgust, handed him the paper.
Here. Claiborne, you have seen
copy of this; but you had better re-
fresh your memory by reading the
original"
The governor took the paper, and
lad begun to read it, when, CHANGING
to glance at Lafitte, he was puzzled by
the expression of the latter's face.
He was leaning back in his chair.
his lips half-parted, and his face soft
ered by a glow seeming to come from
al inward light, as his eyes rested
upon something hanging against the
WALL back of the governor.
1t was an old engraving of Napol-
con. one that. as the governor knew,
vas brought from Barataria by sol
der from whom he-an ardent admir-
CT of the emperor-had rescued it.
The thought of this made HMM
the new light thrown by Lafitte's ac-
cusations with reference to the attack
iron Barataria-feel uncomfortable;
for, should LATTE recognize the pic
ture as his own property. its present
Eossessor would be placed in an unen.
viable position.
He had forced his eyes back to the
paper, whose contents he recalled
quite accurately. But now, with the
impression already made upon him by
Lafittte, and the latter's face-as he
had Just seen it-intruding itself be-
tween his eyes and the writing, he
was forced to acknowledge to himself
that, pirate and outlaw as he had been
named, the Barbarian leader had
shown the greatest generosity and
patriotism, together with a personal
courage which appealed strongly to
his-the governor's-sense OF loyalty.
Possessed by this feeling, he glanced
again at the younger man, to see him
still looking in the same direction, ap-
parently oblivious of all surroundings,
while his rapt expression made the
governor wonder.
Jean Lafitte's heart was In COM
munion with that pictured face, and
with it's original, whom he seemed to
be once more facing upon Elba, look
ing into the eyes that had rested so
kindly upon him at the last, and hear
ing the voice uttering words of old.
time affection.
ITO be continued)