The Elbert County tribune. [volume] (Elbert, Elbert County, Colo.) 18??-1920, 1905-04-13

leans that he is mai for love OF the
Spanish girl"
and she?" inquired Jean carelessly,
as he patted the lead OF a hound
crouched by his chair.
Pierre shrugged his broad shoulders.
"She is a 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 1? If so, It was myself
taught me the lesson"
The laughing face sobered at once.
and troubled look came into the eyes
fixed upon Pierre's Ialfmocking ones.
Say you, Pierre. that taught you
any such lesson?'
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 SHARES, to
love whom brings mischief and the
ruin of a mans heart"
Pierre wondered at the gentleness OF
the tone that answered. IF ever
taught you such thing. taught. I'M
knowingly, something never believed
myself; for | think true woman is
thing to reverence as the saints, and
that love in a 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 a mans life is
like world without sunshine, or
lamp without oil-without light. And
to live always in darkness would make
life little worth the living"
Pierre had been staring at him, and
as he stared his slumbering wits awak-
ened.
In cropping but certain way, he be-
gan to rightly suspect the possible
cause Of hitherto puzzling change he
had noticed in his foster-brother and.
satisfied as to this, he now blurted out,
Jean, my brother, tell me-who is
she you love?"
Jean started. and his brows con-
tracted into frown.
Thou art not angry with me, that
asked?"
Angry" The word was repeated
with soft laugh, Az If the suppostion
were too absurd to call for REPUTATION.
And she loves thee in return"
Pierre ventured. encouraged by the
laugh.
Jean shook his head, and bitter
sadness touched the still smiling lips.
loi
incredulously. Then she must be
blind. or a fool" no added. in sudden
wrath
Neither the one nor the other, my
Pierre" Jean answ cred, as he rose
from his chair. 81 had never thought
to ask her love, nor knew that loved
her, when. by accident. she discovered
that | was the terrible pirate, LATTE,
and shrank from me as if | had been
the plague or death itself That was
long ago; and have not since laid
eyes on her"
There was 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
chimney and looked down into the en-
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
brothers shoulder, added. You know
my secret. Pierre; for the present let
1t rest where it is. and give no heed
as to who she is. / may yet win her;
and may not. If I do. then you snail
know her. and you will love her; of
that feel assured.
"Well you may. my Jean, II 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 to hear thee say it, | will clear
my name. Pierre-thine and mine;
that must be first. After that-we
shall see.'
Ito be ccntinued)