The Holly chieftain., 1905-03-31

Wnlle the latIerS nands caught tne
coatless shoulders and sshook them
playfully.
Aha, old comrade," Greloire cried
laughingly, Il rejoice to see that the
Elba sun has made those cheeks of
thine less white than when l last saw
them, in the hospital. Thou are well?"
Quite WELL my dear Felix, assure
you." was the more quiet reply. But
what happy fortune has brought thee
to this part of the world, 10 gladden.
my eyes?"
You shall know all about it later"
said Greloire But let me present
you, Murier, to Captain LATTE, of
Louisiana--in the United States, you
will understand. He is my friend
Murier extended his hand to LATTE.
who. with few courteous words,
clasped it warmly.
1t had been agreed that LATTE
should be known to Murier as Captain
Lafitte, from America. who desired to
do himself the honor of paying his re-
spects to the eXiled emperor.
The only person now exercising sur
veillance upon Elba was the English
commissioner. who happened to be alb
| sent for day from Porto Ferrajo.
| This was a fortunate circumstance for
LATTE and Greloire, as the commits
| sioner was supposed to keep watch
| full eye upon the emperor, and report
his observations to the English cab
| met.
Stll-as Greloire had said-it was
| no uncommon thing for travellers to
visit Elba with the object of paying
| their respects to Napoleon; and Muir
Ter, after laying Greloire's request be-
fore him, was to ascertain if he would
consent to receive his former soldier
and the American captain that same
| evening.
Thus had 1t been settled when Muir
Ter and Greloire came out of the house
and joined the two who were chatting
on the shaded veranda.
When their hostess took her depart
ure. Lafitte turned to Murier and
asked abruptly, How does your en-
peror bear his exile? Seems he happy
at all, or even content?"
"Have you ever seen him? You
speak as one who admires-yes, loves
him. Murier spoke rapidly and his
searching eyes showed certain sur
prise at the eagerness manifested in
the younger mans face.
Il surely admire and love him. was
the answer, hearty and yet evasive
of Murier's question. "Cannot one do
this without having seen him?"
Indeed yes, m'sieur," replied Muir
Ter, in tone of strong emotion. Are
there many hearts in America, may !
ask, who hold him thus?"
Lafitte hesitated a moment before
answering with an emphasis that left
nothing for Murier to desire, IF they
knew him as do I, every heart would
leel as does mine AS it is, nowhere
in France is his name held more
sacred than in Louisiana. Now,
M'sieur Murier, will you not answer
my question:"
Certainly, M'sieur lie Capitaine;
will answer you frankly. Whenever
have seen the emperor, which of late
has been frequently, it has been to see
him tranquil, almost to indifference" !"
| Here Greloire, who had been listen
ing with growing indignation, broke
into the conversation.
And think you, Murier. that such a
state of affairs is to continue? Can
you believe that his wonderful powers
are crushed-lost in this Indifference
of which you speak? No! believe
that, sooner or later, he will rise
and"
"Sh-h." warned Murier, with a
quick. imperative gesture. This is a
time and place, old comrade, when it
is wise to do no believing aloud. Let
us talk no more of such matters, but
learn from M'sieur lie Capitaine some
thing of that wonderful country of his
Louisiana"
The talk was interrupted by the re:
appearance of Madame Teche, who
summoned them to dinner; and Gre
loire and Lafitte-the former more
especially-who had found little en-
joyment in the cuisine Of the fishing
smack, were not slow in accepting the
invitation.
By the time full justice had been
done to the generous meal, the hour
had come for Murier to report for
duty; and, promising to return with
all possible speed, he left the guests
to be entertained by his sister.
The twilight was near with the
glow of sunset paled in the valley, and
the shadows climbing the hills out
lined sharply against the liquid glory
of the cloudless sky, when he returned
with. the information that the emperor
would, at O'Clock, receive Grelolre
| and his friend the American gentle