Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1910-05-13


Men call me L'Acadienne--and 9TH
er things" she said. She looked again
at Raoul. and again she laughed. She
went on: "Eh then. messieurs! A lit
tie silver to carry on the war? Chari-
ty for the wounded. eh:'
O'Mara asked quickly:
What are you doing here. my girl?"
Me-" she asked. I'm a wanderer,
M'sieur Liable. Today find your VII
LACE and some soldiers. dance for
them. ShallI dance for you. messieurs"'
Her dark eyes few to Raoul. She
said with hooking laugh: Here is
one who would like it. No? His face
is so kind" She turned TO him de-
liberately. shall / dance for you,
m'seur!"
He answered quickly:
MOI
Came from outside hail. De Va
lette turned.
"Do they summons me-" he demand
ed He started swiftly toward the
! door Put ore he could reach it there
! had walked into the room tall man OF
/, lIi,e and blood and Sinew, clad In the
| dress of wOodSman. A pOwderhOrn
was slung over his shoulder. and he
carried iii his hand a Aong barreled
| rifle. At his heels there followed a
| shrinking youth of twenty-a youth
| with a great shock Of straw colored
hair ard scared eyes. who carried
awkwardl,' Il gun that reached from
| feet 20 neck.
| The first of the two with long
strides advanced to the center OF the
room. surveying coolly those therein.
I'm Wolf" he cried. His voice
was deep and resonant. his manner
the loose. independent swagger OF
| those who fear not and are feared.
Tin Wolf" he repeated. Il want re-
cruits- volunteers to serve in General
Jacksons army. Who'll strike one
blow for liberty? Who'll join VOLTS
sharpshooters? I'll promise you fight
ing enough within twenty-four hours"
De Valette turned upon him coldly,
haughtily.
Sooner. sir" he said grimly, If l
! had any dogs left in the Kennels OF
Valette."
$50. no." cried Wolf, unperturbed
.'Frenchies. are you? No one here to
come and help us lick the British?
He indicated the shrinking youth at
rQcr1llf
that | wanted to show some patriot
ism to. But if that's the way 1t is
He turned to his follower. Bout
ICE. Crawley." he commanded
shoulder arms. Can't force man to
volunteer. No patriots here. SO of
with you. Forward. March,
AS they passed out the door he
turned. 70 De valette he said
"Don't rile the American eagle.
French. It's got a sting in Its tall"
De Valette watched them go. and
when they had passed beyond his Vi
sion he turned to LAcadienne.
"All of you he said coldly. There's
nothing for you here"
The woman tossed her head. Her
lips curved in hooking smile. Across
the room she went and even to the
doorway. Yet she did not go through.
De Valette. eyes from her. thinking
she had gone. turned to Raoul and the
priest.
"Faugh. Canaille!' he exclaimed In
disgust. LET us join my sister, gen.
tlemen."
He left the room. Father O'Mara
followed Rut RaOul de Valette re-
manned behind.
He turned to face the, woman In the
doorway. The expression Of mOckery
the light. scOrnfu mirth-had gone
from her face now. She looked anX-
ious, almost haggard. He rounded on
her angriy.
"YOu come here?" he cried.
Again she was smiling-Sn1iling
mockingly She said:
"Eh, so. You are not hard to follow,
M'sieur Raou de Valette. You ride
YOUR bay horse with the one white
foot all the way from your plantation.
When | meet people ask. You have
seen a bay horse with one white foot
I and very ugly little gentleman who
rides him?' Everybody then say, Yes;
he went yonder.' So come to Va
lette. Oh. so easyw She laughed
again. the while looking at him curl
ously. At length she went. on. you
think you could hide when you went
from me?"
He replied:
II did not try Why should 1T
Because you would be afraid to
have me find out you ride here to
marry your cousin. Mile. Valette."
why" he queried composedly.
J should | be afraid of you knowing
thar"
Again her mood changed; she asked,
almost TREMENDOUSLY:
"You don't care II l know that.
Raoul?"
NO" he replied coolly. 81 was fool
ann, ish not to tell you
AAllwlI before I left"
@lNI @ little cry left
u .EllsA her lips; she sank
%SISEssW to the floor at his
hSSS!E5Y/,, feet.
M4NWH '"Then it is true"