The Winslow mail., 1922-11-17
Continued from Last Week.)
SYNOPSIS

SYNOPSIS
CHAPTER 1.-The time is the late COS
or early '7os and the scene a steamboat
on the Mississippi river. All the types
of the period are present and the float
ing palace is distinguished by merriment,
dancing and gallantry. There are the
customary drinking and gambling also
Virgil Drace, a young northern man. Is
on his way south on a mission of revenge.
person Of one Liberty Shottle. who is
constantly tempting the goddess OF
chance They form a singular compact
his mission by entering into deck sports
in which he exhibits an unusual athletic
prowess. Liberty Shottle is again un.
lucky at cards and attempts a financial
ing an opportunity to use Shottle, con-
fides to him that his mission is to find
a certain ex-guerrilla, Stepho la Vitte,
who had murdered Braces father 1t is
chum, to hang La Vftte as high as
Haman. Drace has become enamored
Of a mysterious beauty aboard the boat
New Orleans, at that time in the some
what turbulent throes of carpetbag gov
ernment. Shottle becomes possessed of
two tickets for the French ball. great
accompany him to the affair The young
men attend and Drace Unexpectedly meets
the girl who had fired his heart aboard
the steamer. She is accompanied by one
Boyce, whose proprietary interest indi-
Gates that he Is her f1ance. Through
stratagem Shottle learns that the name
Of the girl is Nadine la Vitte and that
her companion of the evening is the man
who Is seeking to marry her.
CHAPTER Iv.-Drace passes an uneasy
night torn by the suspicion that Nadine
is the daughter of old Stepho la Vitte.
now an admitted outlaw. Now, more
than ever. is he. resolved to find where
the girl lives and to find Stepho. Drace
and Shottle begin search of the city.
In one of their nocturnal pilgrimages
ing a poor wretch from the limb of
tree. It Is typical carpetbag execution
and aroused the resentment of an oppos--
ing mob Of citizens. Drace takes a hand
in the fight which starts and is instru-
mental in preventing the execution. From
a window opposite the scene, he catches
a glimpse of one he is sure Is Nadine
"We are on our way to visit Shot
ties uncle, General Bethpage," ex-
planned Drace.
"What, my old friend and fellow
soldier Bethpage! Never a nobler
man drew sword in defense of what
he conceived to be right If you like a
genial atmosphere and a company that
never tires, you will remain with him
as long as possible and still too short
time. 1 earnestly hope that you may
find inducement to settle among us"
POSSIBLY I may l like the River.
% oAo T.,
ter there is all history, all philosophy,
all"
"Just So" the Major agreed "And
we have some remarkable characters
here, sir, and some of the most beau
tiful women in the world; to some peo-
pie it may appear little singular, but
interesting character among men al
ways develops in an atmosphere pro-
ducing beauty among women"
"And naturally, Major, you are &C.
quainted with both characters and
beauty. And by the way, did you ever
meet an old fellow--let me see, what
Is his name? Oh, / think they call him
Stepho something. Oh, yes -- La
Vitte?"
nhe Major cleared his throat and
gently laid his hand on Braces
shoulder.
my young friend, they have told
you about the most implacable and
desperate of men, sir. l know the
man, and while nature did not intend
and 1 beg your pardon for what
might seem a want Of mOdesty-that
i should fear any human being, yet
confess to an occasional uneasiness In
the presence of old Stepho la Vitte
/ have never had any words with him
that is, strained words; but If
should, I'd await no move on his part