The weekly Iberian. (New Iberia, La.) 1894-1946, 1920-03-27

had not, he was not likely to seek one
among the habitants.
The story burned into the captains
brain. 1t was the solvent of his san
ity, the swapping of the only bond thai
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 leave all and go out into the world
and seek the sign which was to be
found branded upon some stranger
forehead
He stood at the cottage door, look
ing at his daughter. who had risen
and faced him. Jean Baptiste re-
manned outside.
Il sail for Quebec tonight" said
Dupont. Jean waits two days to
complete 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.
perhaps | shall not see thee again. ~
said Dupont somberly; and the words,
| echoing her own thoughts, frightened
her. She shrank away, and Dupont
put out his hands and grasped her by
| the wrists. THE name, !" he said
| She shook her head; she never spoke
when he made this demand.
"The name, | have been very pa
tient with thee. Now thy reason for
Withholding it is gone. The name!"
what do you mean?" 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 him the name, at least
mothers history.
1t held him, as a dream holds a
mailman, and he grew cunning and
concealed 1t, and jOked 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 had
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, / know that you have
prosecuted me more than all ST. Boni-
face" she answered
Marie" he cried passionately, "if
l could know that thou vast safe here,
| should never trouble thee again."
She turned on him angrily. "Well,
l can take care of myself" she an
swered. eff l choose to go to Ste.
Marie, what is it to you? Besides,
there will be no more dancing until
next summer"
But he is here" persisted Baptiste
stubbOrnly.
"WhoT' she cried in agitation, fear
ing that he had discovered her secret.
"He-Monsieur Askew. At first l |
feared 1t was Black Pierre; but he |
swore to me that 1t was not so, on the |
second day after the work on the boom
began" So Baptiste reckoned time.
"And he swore it was Monsieur Askew
loved thee"
Marie burst into reckless laughter.
Il know that thou canst never care
for me-" Baptiste persisted But If
he wrongs thee / kill him. Note we'll
i kill him.
Marie laughed bitterly and more
loudly. 1t was amusing to spite and
deceive st. Boniface, even through
Baptiste. Yet, when he was gone back