The Republican. [volume] (Mountain Home, Idaho) 1903-1909, 1906-07-17

| fident of their ability to obtain the &C.
quiescence of their followers.
But think you, Jean inquired the
more cautious Pierre, there is not
reason to doubt if Gov. Claiborne ac-
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 emergefcy- time when every
man able to gear a 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-
ton he had given (and which, al
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 a visit to the formers
| plantation, La Tete des Faux, near the
mead of Bayou Bienvenu; also that La
Roche had taken this occasion to per-
suade his ward, the Senorita Lazalie,
to join his house party.
He is now a general in the state
militia" Pierre added; and with a
! 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 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 |? If SO, it was thyself
taught me the lesson"
The laughing face sobered at once,
and troubled look came into the eyes
fixed upon Pierre's halfmocking 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, to
love whom brings mischief and the
ruin of mans heart"
Pierre wondered at the gentleness of
the tone that answered. "If ever
taught you such a thing, taught I'M
knowingly, something | never believed
myself; for | think true woman is
thing to reverence as the saints, and
that love in mans life is like" He
stopped short, and his dark face took
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 a
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 a cropping but certain way he be-
gan to rightly suspect the possible
cause of a hitherto puzzling change he
had noticed in his fosterbrother, and
satisfied as to this, he now blurted out
Jean, my brother, tell me-who is
she you lover
Jean started, and his brows con.
tracted into a frown.
"Thou art not angry with me, that
asked?"
Angry" The word was repeated
with a 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 a bitter
sadness touched the still smiling lips
mot 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 81 had never thought
to ask her love- nor knew that loved
her, when, by accident she discovered
that I 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
n. 4. 1