Detroit evening times., 1943-12-19

" came Monsieur Rigaud wealthy retired French
~ Army officer, with his blond and beautiful
wIfc Madeline
M She sat at Lanttcs table amid priceless
MN decorations slipped wines admired
.&A beautiful pictures, shyy fingered precious
&A fabrics and thought about her
E#4z 1A host.
sSMf3&sHA lie kept his melancholy eyes
- her until bushod
s&&A confusion But Rigaud
Z8%S* 49, pompous climber and noticed
k$#&%#&kssA little lie behaved for the
WV benefit other guests a
though his wife had been be-
~ meath him
EW But not Lahtte.
Y He chatted gently about her life in France
and told her romantic stories of his youth there
He took her walking about the island where
desperate looking salutcd him respect
fully, and showed her the beauties OF the place
times he took her sailing small ugger watching her
pale beauty as she ounged in the cockpit letting the guf
wind ruffe her golden hair.
He had been used taking he wanted and often
considered slipping knife into the fat neck of Monsieur
Rgaud But that wouldn't do She shy half afraid
OF him He would have to bring her to him by queer
Ccntler
One evening while Rigaud. dcny Piled with brandy:
snoring in the dining Lafitte led the girl into
the scented darkness of the garden.
you happy, Madame" he inquired
Why yes, Monsieur she replied My husband s
kind to He has brought 10 this fine new land
have new dresses in my trunks. We are"
"Tf a few dresses make you happy" Lafttc growIcd
He took her a at the bacl, Of the house There
were bolts of crimson velvet slate gray silk pushes
cords linens.
Take what you Will"
mo, 1 couldn't"
He won't mind" Lafte knew the French tcmpera-
nent.
She accepted fabrics excaiming at their beauty her
face vivid their colors.
See" He looped necklace of pearls about her
neck Let fasten them"
She stood still while claspcd the necklace
and did when he her
"Stay with me. Madeline" he whispered Il can give
all the pearls in the world; diamonds cmcrads silks
Il go"
mo stay"
Put my husband"
There a sound behind them and Monsieur Rieall
stood weaving in the doorway. flushed fat face wa
attractive and his little eyes refusing 10 meet thos
Of Lafitte sncered at the palc-facc girl
Perhaps nc mouthcd Perhaps NJ lc Captairc
Lafuc can spare you, my dear. Come 1t is bed time
few days later the Ricauds decided to leave
This life of luxury Will spoil my or tho ycai7
OF labor ahead, in the rich lands Texas" gicglcd
Rigaud. I'VE start from here tomorrow"
But why not stay? This is the bad season." I,afittc
objected
we pioneers do not mind tho bad seasons" Rigaud
replied with dignity. I'VE leave"
Their goods packed and ready TO go Lafittc
could not get the girl alone for moment
AT least you will accept little gift" the ex-
pirate. Madame you will need a tinng woman. See
Accept this slave She is a good worker"
Madeline glanced her husband
But course" he agreed heartily Captain Lafittc
is too kind Slaves are hard TO get; expensive too
They left and NLafttc stood on his broad verandah
watching their wagons disappear the backness And
10 him of his neutcnants
Boss ne whispered ~ little holdup There are
many agents about these parts bullet for the fat
Did Frenchman and quick trip back TO the Red House
he pretty lady heinz"
Got mt mad TaFff