The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1905-06-10

another, as IL each were waiting for
the other to speak. until the former,
while he fingered the package he had
taken from the table. said in a tone
whose gravity held something akin to
tenderness, Capt. Laftte. you under.
stand. of course. that I. an officer OF
the army, cannot criticise in your
presence anything that took place
prior TO my assuming command here.
But, speaking as a man, and as one
who has had his own share Of hard
SKIP and SORROW. l may venture to ex-
tend TO you my regret and sympathy
for the trouble and bereavement that
seem to have been yours"
Lafltte bent his head silently.
Claiborne, who had been fidgeting
impatiently. now FASTENED to say.
You will do me the Justice. Capt. La
ftte, TO believe that | wished to ac-
oept yoGs offer. But my personal
views were overruled by those upon
whose Judgment | relied; and the ex-
redition TO Barataria was sent at their
ihstigation-not mine"
And yet" said Lafltte. with dry
sarcasm that brought faint smile to
Jsckson's firm lips, you are the gov
ernor of louisiana
Claiborne WINGED: but before he
could answer the thrust Lafitte add
ed, with a shrug of his shoulders,
But 1t matters not at whose instiga-
ton the outrage was committed. The
facts are as / have stated, and what
is past must stand. Now. Gen. jack
son. may | ask that you open that
package. and read the papers 1t con-
tains?"
AS Jackson perused the first pa
per. the impressions he gathered were
plainly observable in his look. and
talf-audible comments
Fine bombast." he growled. before
going very far. Then. little way on.
"Sophomorical rubbish, Savors OF
Eton. with some OF George the Thirds
silly maunderings." And SO on. until
the end was reached.
Claiborne had seated himself closer
to Jackson: and presently. the latter.
with an exclamation of the strongest
disgust. handed him the paper.
Here, Claiborne, you have seen a
copy of this: but you had better re.
fresh your memory by reading tho
original.
The governor took the paper. and
ad begun to read Il. when. CHANGING
70 glance at Lafitte. he was puzzled by
the expression of the latter's face.
He was leaning back in his chair.
his lips halfparted. and his face soft.
cred by glow seeming 10 come from
al inward light. as his eyes rested
upon something hanging against the
v all. back OF the governor.
Il was an old engraving OF Nayol-
con, one that. as the governor knew,
was brought from Barataria by aes.
der from whom he-an ardent adrhi-
CT Of the emperor-had rescued 1t.
The thought of this made HMM
the new light thrown by Lafitte's ac.
ousations with reference to the attack
iron Barataria-feel uncomfortable: I:
for. should Lafitte recognize the pic
ture as his own property. its present
rossessor would be placed In an unen-
viabie position.
He had forced his eyes back TO the
paper. whose contents he recalled
quite accurately. But now. with the
Impression already made upon him by
I.aflttte. and the latter's faee-as he
had just seen it-intruding Itself be-
tween his eyes and the writing. ne
was forced TO acknowledge TO himself
that, pirate and outlaw as he had been
named, the Barbarian leader had
shown the greatest generosity and
patriotism. together with personal
courage which appealed strongly &c
his-the governor's-sense of loyalty.
Possessed by this feeling. he glanced
again at the younger man. to see him
still looking in the same direction. ap-
parently oblivious of all surroundings.
while his rapt expression made the
governor wonder.
Jean Lafitte's heart was in com.
union with that pictured face. and
With its original whom he seemed to
be once more facing upon Eiba. look
ing into the eyes that had rested 81
kindly upon him at the last. and hear
ing the voice uttering words of old
time affection.
Ito be continued)