Rocky Ford enterprise., 1905-01-06

hardly to have been expected In .
lad OF his age. ''Never-until this mo-
ment."
She laughed. and drew her hand
away. the wild.rose color deepening
In her checks
The smile was gone as she said.
speaking In so low tone that he
scarcely caught her words. rs he re-
lated to you-this Iaro?"
"Oh. no. ma am 'scllc." he whispered:
Il have known him only u few weeks"
And do you like him?"
She-pernaps ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
her voice a little: and the gravity of
Its tone. coupled with that which
showed In her face. caused Jean to
stare at her with surprise.
She leaned forward until her face
was close to his own.
''Jean Lafitte." she said slowly and
distinctly. - never had brother:
but II I could hav. one. would wish
him TO he like you. ] should not like
II that you grew to be man such M
feel this I-aro must be-
Again Jean was slow In thinking
what To say: and all he did was to
lustrous eyes fixed 80 Intensely upon
him.
"You may forget me. lean" she re-
sum.d. M he did not speak: but ]
shAii hop. not. Yet. for fear ] may
slip from your memory. will give
you this ring Of mine" and she drew
one from her finger. = wish you TO
wear II. and to think II says always.
'Ros-iic d. Caxcncan sny. me To you:
and she will always pray for you
that you may be y gallant gentleman.
loyal to what Ia true and right VIII
you have the ring say this to you9''
Her words touched deeply the boys
ehi,airie. ihapuisirc nature: and bend.
ins over the hand that preferred the
rins. h" pressed his lips To the Jew
ci.d inRcrk.
Thank you he said. as. no~ with
a smile. she slipped the little eifei.t
upon the fourth anger of his left
hand: and ,h. touch of her own. warm
aad gentle. sent a thrill of delight
through his young veins.
II shall never forget you" he de-
eisrrd. iookins up Into her face: -and
no matter what or where ! may be.
yoa aud yours will always have my
love and service
"it IL nov my turn TO thank Sou.-
sae ssid. .'tor-and . far'srcinE look
chased the snii. from her eyes
"Sho shall say but tina, I or min-
may call upon you 10 make sood your
pFumisos~
n-fnFr h- could reply. they were In.
:. II
ui,h Thi-l close behind him: and fol
Insins the two uas Pierre. who with
opcn eyes and mouth stared about
hiia uondrrinEiT.
Iaro gave his orders hastily. hu,
clearly. after which he turned 10
ri.rrC. uho stood near him.
Good night. my hoy: am sorry
yaH arr fa, io SO with inc. for ! would
like greatly to haV" your stout heart
and strong arm aboard tho 'AiEir.'
Ynu siil come with me nuxt tifuUS"
laying his hand an III" boys shout.
der.
Jean remained silent. standing With
lowered eyes. while the bell tangled
a second time.
"t1i bc in this por, again within
tvp years. added i.aTu. "ani Thea I
ain sure you will br ready to com"
With me. Until then. dear lad. good
night And he moved away. mo.
iiuuinz for the others TO follow.
Good night. lean. and sdiru.~ said
Rosrllr. as she was about TO pass
him. "Do not forget me. nor what
hav. said to- yuu."
She was gone. leaving the hoy
standing mute. sensible Of the osIor Of
vioicts. and reErritinE ruefully his In
ability ,o have Acknowledged her ara.
cious farewell. hut the sound OF
Thinrs voice soon aroused him from
his seifrrproaehinEs.
Come the landlord said sharply
come with me-
The hooks Of a rope ladder were
suun fastened into two iron rings bolt
cd TO the rock. a coll Of rope vas
then put through the opening. and
lowered carefully. until i.aru. who
hep, a hand hpon II. felt II grow ,aut
With a ruii from below.
Good nisht again. boy: my heart
is sorry to leave thee behind" he said
to lean. who was close to him. Good.
by, again. and good luck"
lie had. while speaking. stepped
through the opening. and. as the fare
veil came from his lIps-disappearedl
down the ladder.
Ropes we're fastened under the
arms Of the young girl and Of her
maid. One Of the counts friends fol.
lowed I.aro: then the maid after him.
next the count himself. and then his
daughter. she two remaining gentle
men going last Of all
There was no sign Of fighting when
Jean and Pierre left 1Je Chen Heu
reux that night: and the sough OF