The Holly chieftain., 1905-04-14

cept our offer? do not wish TO damp
en- thy ardor; but We must remember
the threats he has made against the
Baratarians."
He surely will not make the mis-
take of refusing our services in such
an emergency-at time when every
man able to bear 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-
tion he had given (and which, all
though of slight interest to himself
were otherwise to his listener). was
that Count de Cazeneau had. at La
Roche's invitation, closed his house in
New Orleans, and gone with his grand
daughter for visit to the formers
| plantation, La Tete des Faux, near the
| head OF Bayou Bienvenu; also that La
Roche had taken this occasion to per.
suade his ward, the Senorita Lazalie,
10 join his house party,
He is now a general in the state
militia" Pierre added; "and'1with
| laugh-''it is common talk in New Or.
leans that he is mad for love of the
! Spanish girl
And she?' inquired Jean carelessly,
as he patted the head of hound
crouched 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 as he knocked the
ashes from his cigar
Thou hast poor opinion of the
fair ones, my Pierre"
Have 1? If so, it was thysell
| taught me the lesson"
The laughing face sobered at oace,
and a troubled look came into the eyes
| fixed upon Pierres half-mocking 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 snares, tc
| love whom brings mischief and the
| ruin of a mans heart"
| Pierre wondered at the gentleness OF
the tone that answered. "If ever J.
taught you such thing, l taught, I'm.
| knowingly, something l never believed
| myself; for think true woman is: a
| 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 a world without sunshine, or
lamp without oi-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 siumbering wits awak-
| ened
| In a cropping but certain way. he be-
gan to rightly suspect the possible
cause of a hitherto puzzling change he
had noticed in his oster-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, as if the supposition
were too absurd to call for refutation.
And she loves thee in return?'
Pierre ventured, encouraged by the
laugh.
Jean shook his head. and bitter
| sadness touched the still smiling lips.
Not love thee." exclaimed Pierre,
| incredulously. Then she must be
blind. or a 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 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 hand upon his foster
brothers shoulder. added, you know
my secret. Pierre; for the present let
| it rest where 1t Is, and give no heed
as to who she is. | may yet win her;