Rocky Ford enterprise., 1905-01-20

N'aN AuuS l-oftulss scirGtcu mualeidNs
from the fort played for the dancers
IN the hall room and entertained the
large gathering of spectators outside.
who looked through the open windows
upOn the flash OF color and sparkle of
gems. as the elite Of the city and
province celebrated the annual ball
given by Don Francisco Louis Hector.
Baron de caIondsiet. Governor and
ihl"hdant Of Louisiana and West Flor.
ida
In an apartment opening from tho
bail room. several men. whose years
or tastes made cards more attractive
than dancing. wer. gathered about a
table upon which gold and silver wero
stacked In miniature. towers befor.
the players. one OF whom was saying.
with an unconccaiod snccr. directed At
n tall. handsome man. who. clad In the
British uniform. sat opposite. "M'sieur
Sianley'S hoard OF gold promises To b.
mere than he can well carry away"
Why not pay more attention to
your cards, dc Ia chaise. and prevent
the pile incrcasinE!" inquired u man
nj the little frcnchman's sidc-a man
who greatly resemb,cd I.aro. captain
OF the "Aisl.." and crHtwhiic patron
OF Lc Chem Hcurcux.
De Ia Chaisc not answering. tho
othsr continued. with a malicious light
, nos shining in the dark eyes fixed
upon the Ensiishman's impassivc face.
Saw you III. Count de caxoneau this
afternoon. may ! ask. Captain Stan
ley"
The latter encountered. and appear.
cd to understand. the look Of his aucsf
ticncr. and n stce,.iikc .iiniins showed
In his eyes as he replied. That In an
odd inquiry to make. Don Morales. In.
prmueh aS ] have To recall that ! met
you entering his house ~ was icar
ins IT,"
Very true: no you did," admitted
laru tor he II waSJ. ''and was won
dcrin. II you left tho count In the
same dcv!iish humor ms that In which
| ! found him.
| At this nm angry rcd showed In the
officers checks. and CLEAN OF wrath
In his eyes. But. without iookin.
nsain ut Laro. he picked up his cards
and glanced Mt them: then. with an
oath. he threw them upon tho table
,nihcrcd his earnings and strobe from
the room.
II was generally suspected that Cap
tain Edward Stanley was one OF the
numerous worshipcrs OF Count dc
Cazcncau's lovely daughter: and COS
sip had been unusually busy with their
names during the present week. at the
close OF which the English officer. hav.
l.t.
he had been sent to New Orleans. was
to return to Mobile. where the gnrri'
ron was composed equally OF British
and Spanish troops. II was also under.
stood that Count de Cazcneau had no
liking for the stalwart, calm.faced
fnglishman.
why did you try to prick him. Don
Morales?" asked one OF the players. n
tall. spare man. with gray hair and
heavy. ovcrhanging eyebrows.
Don Morales laughed scornfully.
Because II Is worth something to
kIndle n little fire in the cold blood OF
an English dog
But what is II all about?" inquired
another Of the party. Don Morales
but asked simple question. What
was there in II to Justify any man.
English or otherwise, calling for sat.
| isfaction?"
Yes" added young American Of
fcer. looking to be twenty-five or
thcreabouts. sitting beside Colonel
! Zachary; what was there for him tc
something? 1t couldn't have been his
| 60. z L..
| down."
See here. Don" inquired the quick
witted ensign. who. although n recent
widower. with young boy. was-in
secret-one of Roselle's adorers. ''is II
that you know or think he went tC
sec Count de CaZeneau this afternoon
and that his asking for the daughters
hand aroused the old mans temper?"
A curious and not pleasant expires.
sion came to Don Morales eyes. and
the colonel said. now speaking some
what sternly as he touched the young
mans arm. you are forgetting your
usual code. Tommy, to say nothing Of
your good sense. This is neither the
time nor place to be discussing such
a sacred matter as a lady's AFFAIRS
"Is 1t true. what | have heard. Don
Morales" now inquired De la Chaise
that you sail for France in the morn.
ing? If so. I am of half a mind-yes,
three-quarters-to ask you 70 let me
take passage
Il carry no passengers" was the
brusque reply. made while the speak.
er was drawing in some winnings and
Colonel Zachary, looking distinctly
annoyed, remarked, 81 was not aware,
Don Morales, that you kept the COM
munity informed as to your sailing
hours and destination"
II do not" replied Iaro. with a
quick. meaning glance. which the colo.