The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1920-06-05

had mot, he was not likely to seek one
amorlg the habitantS.
TIL story burned into the captains
BRAIN. 1t was the solvent of his san
ity, t he swapping of the only bond that
had linked him to the common life.
For Marie'S sake he had hidden his
heart this score of years, and silenced
those impetuous voices calling to him
TO lie ave all and go out into the world
and seek the sign which was to be
found branded upon some strangers
forehead.
He. stood at the cottage door, look
ing at his daughter, who had risen
and faced him. Jean Baptiste re-
manned outside.
81 sail for Quebec tonight said
Dupont. "Jean waits two days to
com, )lete his cargo"
She nodded; her thoughts were far
away. But it came across her mind,
with momentary compassion, that she
would never see her father again.
"F'erhaps / shall not see thee again"
said Dupont sOmberly; and the words,
echo,ing her own thoughts, frightened
her. She shrank away, and Dupont
nut Iout his hands and grasped her by
the wrists. "The name!" he said.
SHE shook her head; she never spoke
when he made this demand.
"I'he name! have been very pa
tient with thee. Now thy reason for
withholding it is gone. The name"
"JVhat do you meanf" she STAN
mered.
"The name" he raved; and for the
first time since her childhood he
raised his clenched fist as If to strike
her.
Baptiste, outside, heard him and
saw the gesture. He came running
up to the cottage door and caught Du-
pont By the arm. The captain hest
tated; then, collecting himself, as a
new thought came to him, he allowed
Baptiste to lead him back to the
schooner.
The new thought was this: II Marie
would not give hin. the name, at least
he would prevent @ repetition Of her
mothers history.
It held him, as q dream holds q
mailman, and he grew cunning and
concealed it, and toked with his hands
during the voyage until they wondered
what was the matter with him, and
whether he was forgetting his obses
sion as he grew old.
Baptiste, having seen Dupont aboard
went back. Marie was seated in the
doorway again; the incident hat
ceased to trouble her. Nothing woulc
trouble her again. Baptiste saw the
quick start of anticipation as he ap
preached.
Forgive me If / annoy thee, Marie,
he said humbly. "Thou knowest-'
"Yes, Jean, l know that you have
prosecuted me more than all st. Boni
face" she answered.
Marie" he cried passionately, II
/ could know that thou vast safe here
should never trouble thee again"
She turned on him angrily. "Well
can take care of myself" she an
swered. 'If / choose to 60 to Ste
Marie. what is it to you? Besides
there will be no more dancing unit
next summer"
"But he is here" persisted Baptist
stubbornly.
"Who?" she cried in agitation, fear
ing that he had discovered her secret
"He-Monsieur Askew. At first
feared 1t was Black Pierre; but h
swOre to me that it was not so, on tn
second day after the work on the boon
began" So Baptlste reckoned timt
, "And he swore 1t was Monsieur AskeN
loved thee"
Marie burst into reckless laughter
Il know that thou canst never car
for me-" Baptiste persisted. "But
he wrongs thee I kill him. Note we
II kill him |"
Marie laughed bitterly and NOR
loudly. It was amusing to spite an
4 deceive st. Boniface, even throug
Baptiste. Yet, when he was gone bac
, "a hic cnhnnnnr rnrnnthin0 that chn III