Rocky Ford enterprise., 1905-04-14
o, FRIDAY, APRIL IA, 1905.

Baratarians."
He surely will not make the mis-.
take of refusing our services In such
an cmcrgcncy-at n time when every
man able To bear n gun will be sorely
needed in New Orleans" was Jeans
confident reply; and Pierre raised no
more doubts that night.
Among the other items OF informa'
tlon he had given land which. al
though OF slight interest to himself
were otherwise TO his listener). was
that Count dc CaZeneau had. at In
Rochc's invitation. closed his house In
New Orleans. and gone with his grand
daughter for n visit to the formers
plantation. Ia Tetc des Faux. near the
head OF Bayou Bienvenu: also that In
Roche had taken this occasion to per
suade his ward. the Scnorita Lazallc.
| to Join his house party.
He Is now "A general In the state
! militia" Pierre added: "and"-with n
Taught is common talk IN New Or
leans that he Is mad for love OF the
! Spanish girl
And shc?" inquired Jean carclcssiy.
as he pattcd the head OF u hound
crouchcd by his chair.
Pierre shrugged his broad shoulders.
she Is woman: who. therefore.
may say what she thinks. or Will do
or not do
Jean laughed ms he knocked the
ashes from his cigar.
Thou hast u poor opinion OF the
fair ones. my Pierre"
Have |? II 80. II was thyseli
taught me the lesson
The laughing face sobcrcd at once,
and troubled look came into the eyes
fixed upon Picrrc's halfmocking ones.
Say you. Pierre. that taught you
any such lcsson?'
AYE. that you have. with your scorn
OF women and their ways. Seeing
through your eyes. I long ago lcarnco
to look upon women ms but Snnrcs. &c
love whom brings mischief and tn.
ruin OF mans heart"
Pierre wondered at the gcntlcncSs OF
tho tone that answered. III ever ]
taught you such n thing. ! taught. nm
| knowingly. something ! never believed
myself: for think a true woman iH u
thing to reverence as the saints. and
that love In mans life is like" lie
stopped short. and his dark face took
a dreaming look as he EaZcd Into the
| FIRE.
After n short silence he continued.
The lack OF love In a mans life In
| like Il world without sunshine. or n
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 slumbcring wits awak.
| cncd.
In cropping but certain way. he be
gan to rightly suspect the possible
cause Of n hitherto puszling change ho
had noticed in his fostcr.brothcr. and.
satisfied as 10 this. he now blurted out.
Jean. my brother. tell mc-who Is
she you lovc?"
Jean started. and his brows con.
iraCtcd into n frown.
Thou art not angry with me. that
askcd?'
Angry" Tho word was repeated
With n soft laugh. us II the suppOsition
were too absurd to call for rcfutati"n.
And she loves thee In return?"
Pierre venturcd. encouraged by the
| laugh.
Jean shook his head. and bitter
| sadness touched the still smiling lips.
Not love thee!" exclaimed Pierre.
incrcdulously. Then she must be
blind. or n fool" he added. IN sudden
wrath.
Neither the one nor the other. my
Pierre" Jean answered. as he rose
from his chair. II had never thought
to ask her love, nor knew that | loved
her. when. by accident. she discovered
that was the terrible pirate. Lafitte.
and shrank from me as IL had been
the plague. or death itself. That was
long ago: and | have not since laid
eyes on her"
There was n world of suppressed
passion sounding underneath the ring
of moCkcry 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 hand upon his foster
hroihcr's shoulder. added. You know
my secret. Pierre: for the present let
It rest whero It is. and give no heed
aa 10 who she is. | may yet win her:
nad may not. If do. then you snail
..,.ow hc~. and you will love LeT. of
.ha' I f. el sSEcrel
"Well YOU may. my lean. n she is
Gear 70 thee; Tor that she must Gow be
10 nc.
ave; and God bless thee for trre |
otter self" said lean. Erasp!ng the |
others hand. THAT | could krow. !
uhout he telling Still it is pleas. |
an, to hear thee say it. will clear
ny Lame, Pierre-tkire and mine: |