The Redwood gazette., 1910-04-27

rouetted across the floor. finishing
song and dance together. and, with a
flourish of the tambourine, she stood
gazing in mocking merriment upon the
three men.
A strange. wild. dark woman she
was, with full. insolent red lips. great
black eyes and figure graceful and
sinuous and 1.-the. A colored handker-
chief was wound turbanwise around
the loose masses of her black hair
She wore skirt of vivid red. and her
rounded arms were bare to the elbow.
Large gold ear ornaments she had. and
many rings upon her fingers and her
shoes were dust laden
At De Valette she looked and at the
priest. But upon Raoul she looked
longer. He turned little. She
laughed.
who are your? demanded De Va
lette coldly.
"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 grip
''Me?" she asked. Pm a wanderer.
M'sieur Liable. Today find your vii
lage and some soldiers | dance for
them. Shall dance foryou. messieursY p
Her dark eyes few to Raoul. She
said. with mocking laugh: Here is
one who would like 1t. No? His face
is so kind" She turned to him de-
liberately. "ShalI dance for you.
m'Sieur?'
He answered quickly:
Nor
Came from outside a hail. De Va
lette turned.
do they summon meY" he demand
ed He started swiftly toward the
door. But ere he could reach it there
had walked into the room tall man of
bone and blood and sinew. clad in the
dress of woodsman. A powderhorn
was slung over his shoulder, and be
carried in his hand long barreled
rife. At his heels there followed a
shrinking youth of twenty-a youth
with a great shock of straw colored
hair and scared eyes. who carried
awkwardly a gun that reached from
feet to 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
I'm Wolff he repeated Il want re-
cruits- volunteers to serve In General
Jackson's army. Who'll strike one
blow for liberty? Who'll join VOLTS
sharpshooters? I'll promise you fight
ing enough within twenty-four hours. I
De valette turned upon him coldly,
haughtily.
Sooner. sir" he said grimly. If !
had any dogs left in the kennels Of
Valette."
$50. hor' cried Wolf. unperturbed.
"Frenchies. are you? No one here to
come and help us lick the BritishY'
He indicated the shrinking youth at
his heels Here's a young recruit
that | wanted to show some patriot
ism to. But if that's the way it is'-
he turned to his follower, Bout
face, Crawleyr' he commanded
shoulder arms. Can't force man to
volunteer. No patriots here, so off
with you Forward. March,
AS they passed out the door he
turned To De Valette he said:
Don't rfle the American eagle,
French. It's got sting in it's tail"
De Valette watched them go. and
when they had passed beyond his vi
sion he turned to L'Acadienne.
All of you" he said coldly. There's
nothing for you here"
The woman tossed her head. Her
lips curved in mocking smile. Across
the room she went and even to the
doorway. Yet she did not 60 through
De Valette. eyes from her. thinking
she had gone, turned to Raoul and the
priest.
'Faugh. Canailler he exclaimed in
disgust. let US join my sister. gen
tlemen.' .
He left the room. Father O'Mara
followed. But Raoul de Valette re-
manned behind.
He turned to face the woman in the
doorway. The expression of mockery
the light, scornful mirth had gone
from her face now. She looked anx-
ious, almost haggard. He rounded on
her angrily
You come here?" he cried.
Again she was smiling-smiling
mockingly She said:
'tEh, SO. You are not hard to follow.
M'sieur Raoul 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
and q very ugly little gentleman who
rides hfs11C 49,.