The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1914-07-10


g.srara, remain there in the back
pon until call
could see no door
where, sir?"
In the den, beyond: the robe hides
3 entrance. II I need you viii
n The dog is coming now"
The interior of this room which l
- entered for the first time was a
s,alation to me. 1t was fitted up as
hanging room, q den; yet bearing
ANA resemblance to the tepee OF a
s,age than any abode Of civilization.
~ trappings of war the tributes of
Il chase, were everywhere in evil
s.,ee | saw all this with single
lance as | shut the. door, yet almost
I'M the instant, my entire attention
81 rIyeted upon an occupant, and /
aod motionless, scarcely crediting
M own eyes, as l stared across the
s5ls at the couch against the farther
van 1t was in shadow, underneath
ss window, draped by a yellow blan-
81 and in one cushioned corner sat
gifl her dark head bent low over
aoOen book. So intent was she upon
tSe Dages that she lad not heard my
atrance, or else remained Indifferent,
5nking me no stranger to the apart
nent.
She was young, scarcely out of her
arIhood from the clear profile of her
deck olive-tinted in the shadow, with
aolusion Of hair black as night, and
fgare slender, but not tall. moved
aIang the latch to attract attention
amy presence, yet the witch never
saAeed up, turning a page of her book
HX
Your pardon" / ventured, and cap
Inland advanced to the table nearer
Size came to her feet in an instant,
Ii book sliding to the floor, the long,
lck lashes no longer shadowing the
ak eyes gazing toward me in sudden
erest. She was small, swift Of
pysment as a forest hare, yet for
b instant saw only her face, and
b uniathomable depths of those eyes.
hey we're full OF bewilderment, sur
slse. laughter. AS though some mys-
gious message had passed between
knew she was glad / had come.
Why, monsieur" she exclaimed,
stating slightly over the words, Il
g startled! You should feel my
aFt beat-so fast. l thought it the
saeFail yes-wlo else? But l new
sis see you before; you-you are an
eaeier Of the Americains?"
Ties, l belong to this garrison. But
as surprise Of finding you here was
aae also. was not told the room
rs occupied and-you are French?"
You not know me, MONSIEUR" her
81 dropping, then uplifting again.
you an officer of the Ameri-
nsg
No. have been absent hunting.
eaiy returned an hour ago"
zen the woods? Way out beyond?
you saw no Indian, no French
ssrier des bois?"
not one; only a white renegade
aeught In with me bearing mes
ap
from the tribes, monsieur? From
lelot?a
from the tribes, yes" | answered.
.agslaed at her eagerness, yet seeing
y aarm IN a frank reply, "but they
ssln council at Sandusky."
ndusky!P the word seemed to
70 her red lips. "He-he was
Rachman them"
Who? The messenger? Not he.
y can understand the relationship
seen the Canadian French and the
gss They have always been
'9aaa but this cur is of another
warning against his own
0e leaned forward, the laughter
one from her eyes.
lo-gho was he, monsieur"
aesltated, Wondering at her insist.
ner eagerness. She leaned for
Y almost touching me with her
'sas, monsieur: you can tell me.
g him we'll
s,aioh Girty!" her hands clasped.
y qaconaciously repeating the
and from sandusky! You
q brought message from the
IN Non DieuI lis strange they
& eaoose him. He said so, mon
III s'ailned to represent the tribes,
# message was from Hamilton.
q Is there-at sandusky-this
sleur Hamftonn
Nss there-yes: at least SO
poFts; but l know nothing
,s,. ~1 8. be may be now-back in
Ns sseiy plotting new mischief.
4ishant speech had slight eff.
asF ior she laughed as / ended.
sas Gone most well--so fnc /
NY ,onsleur But why you say that