The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1920-06-12

Observation-Disclosures
wOman's cry. Again came the scream
and in an instant, forgetful of their
resolution, they had turned and raced
back along the trail.
Not many steps, and, breaking
through the trees, they saw Marie Du-
pOnt struggling in Pierre's arms, while
Leblanc and Nanette stood near them,
laughing.
LATE leaped at Pierre, and his bony
fist caught the outlaw beneath the
chin. Pierre went down in heap.
Hilary made for Leblanc, whose ex-
preston would, under other circum-
stances, have been cOmical in its sur
prise.
He turned upon the girl and
knocked her down savagely. Then,
without another glance at Hilary, he
made for the sloop.
Leaving Pierre where he had fallen,
LATE joined in the pursuit. But LIE.
blanc had several yards start, and his
experience of Hilarys proves lent
wings to his feet. He plunged into the
water and, by miracle of strength
swung the sloop clear Of the sand on
which she had been beached. AS the
vessel was carried clear by the swift
flowing tide the ex-jobber scrambled
aboard, dripping, and pushed off with
the oar. Lafe and Hilary stood, BAT
fed, upon the brink of the water
while Leblanc, at an ever increasing
distance, began to put up the sail
shouting back defiant curses mean
while.
They heard a sound Of feet upon
the shingle behind them, and turned
quickly. 1t was Pierre, but he wa:
boiling for the woods. They ran al
him, but he had gained the shelter Of
the trees, and it was growing too darh
to follow. They stopped and looked
back. Leblanc was now quite q dis
lance from the island, and making FOL
the north shore upon the incoming
tide.
Lets CO." said Hilary, and he tool
Marie gently By the arm. She wen
with him obediently, and Lafe fol
lowed with Nanette, whose lip wal
bloody from Leblanc's blow.
The tide was running fairly Tor 81
Boniface. It was almost dark now
but the wind had died away and tn,
stars were brilliant. Hilary, taking
of his overcoat, wrapped 1t abou
Marie. The girls bewilderment hat
yielded to AFFECT gratitude. Sh
raised Hilary's hand to her lips an,
pressed 1t. Beside her Nanette
wrapped in Lafe's waterproof, wa
sobbing wildly and wiping he
wounded lip. The words that passe
were drowned in the sound of the Lar
ping waves before they reached tn
ears Of Louis, at the tiller.
Nov, what happened?" asked HI
airy Of Marie. 'Tell me, and we'
clap those ruffians into Jail, l assur
you. How did they get you into the
boatT
Marie sobbed out her explanation
but when Hilary gathered, with diff
Guilty from the broken words, stan
mered in French, that she had gon
aboard with Pierre to marry him |
Quebec, he could hardly believe HI
ears.
sand your father knows nothing {
this?" he inquired, when she ha
ended.
He knows nothing, monsieur. Al
monsieur, you saved me before, and
Il was ungrateful. Promise m
swear to me. that he shall nevt
4 knowp
sand you, Nanette," continued HI
airy, addressing the weeping gil
what have you to say, who lured h
> here, knowing thisT'
az did not know, monsieur" erie
Nanette. pierre told me that If
bring her he would get me back n
sweetheart"
Leblanc, eh?"
:, "Oui, monsieur. Then he take n
to Quebec, and we get married, Al
}, he promised me q wedding ring
gold. monsieur"
"And he told you that he was goiI
to marry Marie2"
"0ui, monsieur, we ali go to Queb
together. Only just before we Lar
! he tell me that we ali stay on Il
island together first, and have a no
day"
"Nanette, Leblanc never intendt
to marry you" said Hilary. 18Th,
: were using yow to get Marie IN
Pierre's power. Nanette"
: He bent toward her and touch'