The McCook tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 1886-1936, November 04, 1904, Image 3

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IJSU1SIANA
BY MJARY BEVEREUX
IYTTH ILLUSTRATIONS BY DON C WILSON
CHAPTER III
The gray was flushing with rose
tints from the coming sun when a
oud knocking upon the entrance door
aroused the soldier on guard in the
hall
Open the door a voice shouted
peremptorily Tatro Pierre A
thousand devils You fools inside
there open the door I say
The disturbance brought Greloire
from his Improvised couch at the rear
of the hall and climbing the ladder
2ie pushed his head through the bro
ken window for a sight of who might
be outside
Who are you demanded the
young man standing before the door
his voice indicating surprise as he
looked at the face of the soldier above
him
That is what I should like to have
you tell me of yourself msieur an
swered Greloire in his usual dry man
tier his not over friendly eyes noting
the details of the attire worn by the
aristocratically clad visitor
Dame now exclaimed the latter
evidently more angry than before
What business can it be of yours
Who are you that dare cavil over
opening to me the door of my fathers
louse
He is but one and there are two
of us to handle such a cocksparrow
as I could easily overcome alone with
one hand said Greloire scornfully
as the bars fell and Etienne entered
somewhat paler than usual and his
hair and raiment disheveled from an
all nights concealment in one of the
outbuildings of the chateau
Wishing to see the baron in order
to press his demand for more funds
the young man had unannounced
oome down from Paris and chanced
to arrive the evening before during
the wildest part of the melee
He was by this time accustomed to
her to take the young officer Into her
confidence Looking up into the cold
clean cut face before her she asked
lou will not leave here to day Mon
sieur
Perhaps I cannot decide until
later
Before you go monsieur I would
take it as a great favor should you
let me ask of you some advice as to
a matter concerning him you seem to
love And she glanced at Jean who
was standing in the doorway with his
back to them
The officer if he felt any surprise
showed none for he answered her
with kindly assurance He then joined
Jean and the two went below where
breakfast awaited them
The two dead soldiers were buried
early in the afternoon but the stars
were coming out when the door of
the great vault was closed and the
late baron left to sleep with his an
cpstors
Etienne silent and repelling stood
by vouchsafing little notice of anyone
about him Jean had taken care to
keep away from his half brother
and the latter replied with scant cour
tesy to the lieutenants salutation
when they met for the first time as
the barons body was borne from the
house
Margot was not of those who had
stood about the tomb Etiennes tem
porary absence from the house being
assured she had improved the oppor
tunity to open the secret panel and re
move the metal box and bags of coin
which she hid away amongst her own
belongings She proposed with Jean
and Pierre to seek a new home in
Toulon where a large number of Roy
alists together with others who had
suffered persecution from the Revolu
tionists had found refuge
Presently she saw Etienne enter
the drawing room where Jean had
remained having refused to leave the
And springing upon Etienne drove the rusted blade into his side
such outbreaks and suspecting quick
ly the position of affairs had lost no
time in finding a hiding place in a
grove not far from the house
At the tidings of his fathers death
a new expression came to Etiennes
face softening its coldness but this
quickly changed when in reply to his
juery as to who was in command of
the escort Greloire answered Lieu
tenant Bonaparte
An oath that made both soldiers
stare burst from the young mans lips
I will go to my apartments he
added with a return of all his haughti
ness and do both of you see to it
that I am not disturbed by your offi
-
cer
With this he stalked through the
hall and up the stairway shuddering
as he passed the blood stains upon the
floor
Etiennes steps on the upper stairs
and along the oaken floored hall
brought Tatro to the door of the room
where lay the two wounded soldiers
one of whom was evidently dying
while the other was sleeping quietly
Ah Monsieur Etienne is it you
sir Then correcting himseli witn
Pardon Monsieur le Baron he
burst forth in a quavering voice It
is surely a sad return for you
Somewhat softened by the old mans
words and now realizing more fully
the horrors of the night before Eti
enne replied in an unusually kind
fashion But when he ended by or
dering that a repast be brought to
his rooms Tatros face showed a sur
prise he dared not voice for he won
dered that his new master could think
of sustenance for himself so soon af
ter coming upon the scene of his re
cent loss
Margot had slept little during the
night but lay thinking of what
changes were likely to come now that
the baron was dead An intuition
warned her to secure the money and
valuables which the baron had in
trusted to her care to take them from
their present hHing place and have
them at hand ii iase some additional
disaster should come nd too bear
d In mind her masters command
that she remove Jean from Etiernes
riid in case of that befalling which
cam tad at length evolved a plan
wnlch seemed both wise and feasible
nut hefore attempting to put it into
execution - oarJc ua Impl2 fged j
lieutenant who was now seated at a
table examining some papers found
upon the dead Fauchel and consider
ing this an opportune time to make
known her plans she had turned
toward the door when Etiennes
voice full of its old time arrogance
came to her
Jean leave the room instantly and
go to your bed
Margot paused in the doorway and
saw Jeans head raised with a bel
ligerent poise I will not go for you
Etienne when you order me in such
a rude fashion he said his voice
shaking with rage
Uttering a vile oath Etienne strode
forward and seizing him by the col
lar dragged the boy from the chair
and began striking him
Monsieur Etienne do not you do
that cried Margot rushing toward
him Ah mon Dieu How can you
have the heart and at such a time
as this
Jean was struggling in a wild fury
using feet and hands to defend him
self which he did in a way that
brought to the lieutenants mind the
scene of two years before in the Tuil
eries garden
Hold Monsieur le Baron ne said
distinctly and calmly I have the
right to tell you that you cannot thus
assert your authority in my presence
Etienne as once before released
Jean and turned to face the speaker
to whom the boy now rushed cling
ing to him with a storm of passionate
sobs coming partly from anger and
partly from a bruised heart
Margot had drawn nearer to his
side and as Jeans sobs ceased the
three confronted Etienne who now
burst Into a loud derisive laugh
What can a bastard and the
friends and champions of a bastard
expect better he demanded now
speaking deliberately his pale face
distorted by malice
Margot started indignantly an
angry flame springing itto her eyes
and ths lieutenant said in a low tone
whose very calmness was a menace
It is scarcely the act of a gentleman
to insult the defenseless and the
dead
Hr ipfl Ktienne now letting
loose all the vials of nis uauuu
nWignity Peste How can he be
cuier than I call him when his mother
as no wife
TIs false declared Margot for
getting everything like habitual re
spect
It is not Etienne retorted and
you are a liar when you say other
wise
Jean with paling face his burning
eyes fastened upon his brother
seemed stunned
It ia not Etienne repeated less
vehemently as Pere Huot could tell
you if you asked him My mother
the late baronne dieo but three years
ago in I regret to say a madhouse
at Paris But mad or sane she was
the baronne and that other woman
the mother of your young whelp there
was no wife of my fathers as you
must now admit The church would
never recognize her as his wife he
being a true Catholic and no priest
performing the marriage ceremony
between him and that cursed Hugue
not
Etienne uttered an epithet too vile
for repetition an epithet that stung
to madness the listening boy who
with a cry of rage such as might
come from a new Cain wakeued to
life snatched a dagger from a
strewn upon a near by table and
springing upon Etienne drove the
rusted blade into his side
The slight form reeled and fell a
crumpled heap upon the floor wliile
Margot with a shriek that brought
the soldier flying from his post in
the hall fell upon her knees and
tried with her apron to stanch the
flowing blood
Jean had turned to flee but an iron
grip on his shoulder held him and
looking up he fell to trembling and
shivering as he met the stern eyes of
his friend looking as he had never
before seen them
Where would you go inquired a
low voice whose measured calm
matched the look of the eyes
The boy stood silent
The lieutenant still holding him
fast moved to where Margot and the
soldier were kneeling beside Etienne
and Jean met the wild eyed regard of
the wounded man from whose white
lips now poured a flood of profanity
mingled with threats of vengeance
against the boy whom he ordered to
leave the apartment
The lieutenant turned away with a
scornful laugh half suppressed but
which Jean heard and taking heart
the lad looked beseechingly upward
as if asking pardon for his mad act
Come away come away my De
Soto whispered the officer and
bending he kissed the tear wet cheek
He has a venomous nature truly and
one cannot be greatly blamed for
treating a dog as he deserves
Then gathering up the papers al
which he had been looking he thrust
them into his pocket and motioned
Jean to follow him from the room
Here Margot joined them on her
way to summon Tatro that he mighi
assist the soldier in getting Etienne
to his own apartments
Early next morning the household
was astir all save Etienne who al
though his wound proved to be but
slight kept to his bed with Tatro in
attendance and before noon all but
these two had left the chateau and
set out upon their various routes
Margot with Jean and Perry for Tou
Ion in company with the soldier Gre
loire sent by the lieutenant to escort
them
At a fork in the highway where
their roads parted Jean turned in his
saddle to look after the slender fig
ure riding away at the head of his
men
Turning his head as if he felt the
boys longing eyes the lieutenant
smiled and waved his hand Then
putting spurs to his horse he rode
swiftly from sight followed by his sol
diers
After a last backward look toward
the vacant space that had held the
one he loved best on earth Jean
started his horse onward to overtake
the lumbering vehicle driven by
Pierre and containing Margot and all
the travelers belongings
To be continued
He Obeyed His Orders
John was the new English butler in
the employ of a Philadelphia family
When John first came he was told by
tne mistress of the house that she was
always at home tj her sister who
was a frequent visitor to the house
The sister in question was pointed
out to John on her next visit and
the mistress was satisfied in her mind
that John would obey orders
Every time the sister cajled John
would admit the welcome guest with
reverent respect It was her custom
to ask him before entering if his mis
tress was in and it always happened
that she was so John would nod
profoundly bow her in
But one day it happened that Iirf
mistress was out when the sister
called When John went to the doo
she as usual asked if her sister
in to which John nodded in tk
affirmative and bowed her in John
business at that moment took him out
in the yard and he left her in ln
parlor
Divesting herself of her wraps th
visitor began to look for her slstor
but seeing no signs of her downstairs
concluded that she was on one of the
upper floors and went upstairs Oi
course she failed to find her and
thinking that the butler might be
Mistaken went downstairs to inquire
of him again She found him out In
the yard and calling to him asked ii
he thought his mistress had gone out
as she could not find her in th
house
John after meditating a weEest
replied
Yes mum she his hout
Out exclaimed the sister VJS7
I thought you said she was at home
vs mum came the solemn re
ply but she tct mo that Fhe was al
ways at on you lJppincottt
Mapulne
Mafitte
iJSUESaLNA
BY ARY 0EVKREUX
WITH ILLUSTBATION5 BY DOM C VYJL50N
CCtyyrtgfit J9Q3 6y ffe vmr Kf CcyrrpTy
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CHAPTER IV
Toulon on the Mediterranean was
at this time the great military depot
of France Its inhabitants numbered
about twenty five thousand and more
than fifty frigates and ships of the
line rode at anchor in its harbor while
within its spacious magazines was col
lected an immense quantity of military
and naval stores
Scarcely a day passed during the
fall and early winter of 1793 that did
not bring to the city families and in
dividuals from all parts of France
seeking protection from the Revolu
tionists curelties outrages which the
Committee were either unable to con
trol or to which they were indifferent
At Toulon the friends of the old
monarchy argued among themselves
that the violence with which their
land had been filled was too terrible
to be longer endured and they began
to discuss the idea of surrendering
the city its magazines forts and
ships to the combined English and
Spanish fleets lying outside its har
bor and thus help to bring about a
return of law and reason to insane
France
Among those in Toulon who heard
of the proposed surrender was Margot
who with Jean and Pierre safe under
the humble roof of their new home
had for these many months enjoyed a
security she had never before known
In a measure her own mistress and
removed from the dread of Etienne
she found reliance and peace in the
kindly guidance of Pere Huot to
whom the boys went each day for in
struction his abode being some dis
tance from Margots small house
which was in a retired part of the
city near the suburbs
A surrender suggested to her the
possibility of bringing scenes of blood
shed and violence and the very
name of English was to her as also
to most of her compatriots the
onym of what was utterly detestable
Her fears were realized when the
surrender was accomplished and the
English ships sailed triumphantly
into port landing five thousand of
their own troops and eight thousand
Spaniards
This proceeding was regarded with
the greatest alarm and indignation by
the Revolutionists who considering
the surrender an act of treachery re
solved to retake Toulon and drive the
allies from the soil of France Two
armies were marched upon Toulon
and a siege was begun which for three
months made but little apparent prog
ress
Affairs within the city became un
settled and were soon almost demor
alized and Pere Huot having fallen
seriously ill Margots heart grew
heavy as Jean seeming to throw off
all restraint wandered day after day
about the streets associating with
soldiers and rough characters
Margot had not dared to communi
cate much of her misgivings from the
day now several weeks past when
after remonstrating warmly as to
some offense he had committed she
bade him ask himself if his father
would have approved the act and
started back as from a mans threat
ened attack when the boy turned
fiercely upon her
Never name him to me again he
cried with heaving breast and flash
ing eyes I have no father Do you
know my name here in Toulon It is
the same as Pierres He is Pierre
Lafitte and I am his brother Jean
Lafitte And be I saint or devil to
the end of my life I am Jean Lafitte
He looked so big and terrible in his
rage that Margot silent and fright
ened felt that he was almost a
stranger to her this boy she had car
ried in her arms and whom she had
loved and watched over for so many
years
It was the last night of November
when darkness fell early over the city
and Margot was preparing her lonely
evening meal Where Jean and
Pierre were she knew not but pre
sumed that as was often their habit
they would sup with some of their
soldier acquaintances
Although the evening was cold the
usual number of pedestrians were
abroad these being mostly soldiers
who were seeking excitement and
sip at the various eating and drinking
places frequented by them
One of these was called Le Chien
Heureux a two story house situated
down near one of the quays Lights
were blinking brightly from its small
windows and inside several stoves
were burning where Thiel the land
lord and his one assistant were pro
paring supper for several civilians and
soldiers who sat about talking and
drinking at the various small tables
Sitting near the fire two soldiers
and a citizen together with Jean and
Pierre were listening to a man in
their midst who from his talk and
appearance seemed to have been an
extensive traveler This was Laro an
habitue of Le Chien Heureux when
on shore from the Aigle a rakish
looking brigantine of which he was
owner and captain
Jean listened with an attention
which for some reason appeared to
amuse Laro who now and then with
a quizzical smile lighting his black
eyes glanced askance at the boys en
raptured face
Laros story had been listened to by
others seated around the tables who
occasionally reminded Thiel to hurry
their suppers
The next minute a soldierly looking
man came in the uniform of a petty
officer showing as he unclasped and
threw off the heavy cloak that had en
veloped him After demanding sup
per as speedily as possible he seated
himself some distance away from the
group at the fire
But Pierre had been staring open
mouthed at him and now the sound
of his voice caused Jean to start and
turn his head quickly in the direction
ot the shadowy corner where the sol
dier was seated
Greloire he breathed
What is that my cocksparrow
Toulon harbors many a stranger
tongue to be sure but I speak only
my own
i Wwlf ill W n RmSEj iv 11
And be I saint or devil to the end of my life I am Jean Lafittel
Come gentlemen all said Thiel
now bustling amongst them with a
huge platter Your suppers are
ready
Neither Laro nor the others paid
any further heed to the soldier who
seated apart from them ate his sup
per with an appetite that bore witness
to previous fasting But at odd mo
ments when unnoticed his eyes with
a smiling warning in them met those
of the two boys and once while Jean
was staring at him he laid a finger
upon his lips with a swift cautioning
gesture of silence
His supper finished Jean strolled
back to the fire before which Greloire
had seated himself while the others
remained at the tables some still eat
ing and all of them discussing mat
ters pertaining to the siege
Leaning carelessly against the fire
place after a quick glance about to
make sure he was not observed the
boy looked at the soldier with a world
of inquiry in his dark eyes Greloire
replied with a comprehending smile
but again laid his finger against his
lips as if impressing silence and then
turned to the fire
He had picked up his long cloak
and was putting it on And no one
noticed the suggestive motion of the
head and hand as with slightly
arched eyebrows he looked once more
toward Jean who was still standing
beside the fireplace But the boy was
quick to see these and understood
that he might expect to find Greloire
outside
Allowing what he felt to be a proper
amount of time to pass after the latter
had closed the door behind him Jean
put on his cap and having motioned
to Pierre they both followed regard
less of Laros declaration that it was
earlier than usual and not yet time
for them to start for home
The two boys with occasional sharp
glances around passed along the al
most deserted street Presently
Pierre after a quick look over his
shoulder gripped Jeans arm
There is a man who looks like
Greloire coming on just behind us
He had scarcely spoken when a
swift but cautious footfall came close
behind him and a hand caught his
shoulder while Greloire said in a care
fully lowered voice Tiens My quick
witted comrade how are jou
As you see or might were it not
so dark replied Jean grasping tho
soldiers hand And you
Much better for tho fine supper I
Imvo been eating said Greloire a
note of laughter in his voice
Pierre now fell behind and tho
threo stepped moro briskly
What havo you to tell me in
quired Jean after they had gone a
few paces and Greloire remained si
lent
Did your lieutenant send you was
he wishing to know of me asked
Jean eagerly But there was no an
swer
Well yes and no replied Gre
loire speaking slowly as If consider
ing his words and adding as he
looked clown Into the boys upraised
face which even the dim light of the
stars showed to be filled with keen
disappointment Surely you have
every reason to know his love for you
and he Is one who never forgets But
his days are now filled with that
which leaves little time for him to
think of anything but this siege Ho
is outside the city with the Revolu
tionary forces
He without and you within fight
ing against him burst from Jeans
lips as he drew himself away
Sh h whispered the soldier
These streets may seem deserted
but tis as well not to speak loud
words for the winds may carry them
to where the wrong ears may hear
them
Jean laughed softly and came closer
to Greloire
Aha I see how it is
Be all the more careful then my
young master warned the soldier
There was silence for a time while
the three walked slowly along until
they reached a street where the
houses were far apart and tho last
one of all from whose windows camo
a faint gleam of light Jean pointed
out to Greloire as his present abode
And so that is whore you are liv
ing said the soldier as they stood
looking toward it I tell you lad
that had I the chance to possess so
quiet a home I should stop within it
and not be wandering into such sham
bles of carnage and blood as is the
city now Take my advice and keep
away from Le Chien Heureux I can
now come to your house and that will
be the best place for me to see you
But if you are to undertake the mis
sion of which I spoke the less you
see of that scoundrel Laro the better
will It be
Laro is my friend declared Jean
his quick temper rising like a flash
of fire He is my friend and even
you must not name him in such fash
ion to me
So said Greloire calmly taking
his hand from the boys arm Then
I doubt if jou are to be trusted and
regret telling you as much as I have
Laro is not to be trusted He is al
most old enough to be your father
and his suspicions once aroused he
has sufficient craftiness to surprise
your secret and use it for our harm
Jean was silent and Greloire went
on in a milder tone Now tell me
were you in my place would you not
think twice before risking secrets with
such a keeper one who cares so
much for Laro as to have temper with
an older friend who knowing the
mans reputation warns you against
liim
I am not angry Greloire declared
Jean penitently and regret that I
was so Pardon me
All right all right men ami was
Greloires hearty reply Then again
lowering his voice he asked in a half
quizzical tone And do you wish to
see our little colonel
Yes indeed yes You know that
I would not give one of his fingers in
exchange for a dozen Laros
Bien said Greloire Now I must
be going So adieu and my compli
ments to the good dame Margot
With this he turned about and
whistling softly went back the way
they had come while the two boys
after watching him a few moments
bent their steps toward the cottage
To be continued
ILLS OF TELEPHONE GIRLS
Customary Salutation Constantly
Rings In Their Ears
When a central operator hears
somebody crying Hello to her on the
street nine times cut of ten she ig
nores the greeting said a telephone
expert Why Because she takes the
salute to be a delusion
A girl who day after day hears
Hello hello dinned into her ears
and who is constantly responding
with Hello hello hello in time
grows to hear and repeat the word
mechanically and when she leaves
her work that word is still ringing
in her ears She can hear people say
ing Hello to her on all sides but
the greeting of the real thing is so
confused with the ghosts of- dead la
bor that she seldom notices the first
salutation of a friend
And did you ever know by the
way that nine out of ten persons
who habitually use the telephone have
what we call telephone ear In its
first stage the telephone ear becomes
acute and sensitive but after long
use the hearing becomes more or less
blunted and half the complaints
igainst poor telephone service may
be attributed rightly to the tele
phone ear Try it some time If you
habitually use the right ear next
time use the left and see if it Isnt
twice as satisfactory It is a good
plan for those who use the telephone
much to frequently switch ears This
keeps the hearing equally balanced
ind might ward off a permanent deaf
ness
Two Recommendations Needed
Slowpay Doctor I suppose you can
recommend your tailor to me
Doctor Certainly but you will have
to get some one else to recommend
you to my tailor