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"?'**#{&*-iZ? t:*x*:*:*x*:.x.:*x^ This beautiful story was commenced in the Union October 31. Back num bers can be had at this office. CHAPTER VIII. AKTICLE 3510. They found him at a sharp bend in the public road. himself is the crowning disgrace he has put upon our parish. In undertaking to thwart and rebuke him you do a true service to the good people of Avoyelles, Mr. Oakfell, and shall have the support of all of us here." "Not only our support, Mr. Horace," exclaimed Valsin, "but our protection also." "The danger is not to me, but to Leon," Oakfell replied. "I fear that Quillebert will kill him outright In the rage into which the suit will throw him." "Then," said Fyrth, whose presiden cy over sessions of the lynch court in the early days of the state had made his name a dread to evildoers and whose countenance testified a terrible courage, "he must in advance be warn ed that he cannot live 12 hour in Avoyelles afterward, and I suggest the priest as the proper person to notify him. Do you objec -r?" addressing Father Grhe. "I do not," replied the latter, and the party dispersed. As prearranged by Oakfell, the sher iff, charged with the service of the legal processes, called at the house of Father Grhe, and the latter accompanied him K\ %$&wfms^tf?j^api mm.<p>MASTE SLAVE Copyright, 1901, by T. H. Thorpe. I HE cooking air of November had checked the fruiting of the cotton plant and quicken ed the sweetening of the sugar cane. The harvesting one vt as ending, of the other of the about to begin, when a small company came together at "L'Esperance" upon Oakfell's invitation. Though not nu merous, it reliably represented the best sentiment of the parishBaldouino and Brulleton from lower Bayou des Glaises, MiJlechaze and Colmesnotte from Borodmo and Moreauville, Jewett and Fyrth from Bayous Bceuf and Huffpower, Bizet and Dufosse from Cocoville, Valsin Mouillot from Bayou du Lac, Father Grhe from Mansura. A truly satisfying dinner, topped by venison and mallard ducks, had main tained the good fame of the Oakfell board, and, the servants being with drawn by Mrs. Wyley, guests and host, over their coffee, considered the case of the jockey Leon. Briefly and clearly Oakfell stated the result of his examination of the law and the facts. In proof of Quillebert's guilty knowledge that he had not even the shadow of a claim of ownership, he read this extract from a certified copy of the deed signed by him and Poydre, the agent of the heirs of Queyrouze: "The oldest son of the said negress Olive, called Leon, is not included in the present sale, a condition without which the present sale would not take place and is void if the purchasers dis regard it." And, as establishing Leon's right to freedom, he cited the article 3510 of the civil code: "If a master suffer a slave to enjoy his liberty for 10 years during his residence in the state or for 20 years while out of it, he shall lose all right f action to recover possession of the slave unless the slave be a runaway or fugitive." "This provision of the law," said Oakfell, "the distinct exception in the act of sale and Quillebert's perfidy in entrapping the unsuspecting boy have determined me, gentlemen, to institute suit in behalf of Leon for freedom, and I have felt that I should declare my purpose to those friends and neighbors whose judgement and esteem I value most." All looked to Baldouino, who after a moment of silent thought confidently spoke their response "Your resolution increases our re spect for you. Quillebert is a shameless demoralizer, an evil influence in the community. His chief gains have no toriously been from gambling and usu ry. His instincts are low, and his practices art? scandals hurtful to our young men. This theft of a man from THE and M\ ^m mmm\ mmm* V By... T. H. THORPE on the isit to Quillebert. They tound him at a shai-'p bend in the public ropd skirting the Bayou Rouge, seated upon his horse and conversing with La are Luneau, sole occupant of her grand mother's exaggerated buggy, to \Ahich Tas harnessed the colossal mule. Coili ng suddenly upon the two, they saw ihe girl quickly snatch from Quille bert's hand a small watch and long golden chain and furtively bestow them under the seat of the vehicle and were amused at her confused efforts to recover the loosened reins and drive on before they spoke. "Pray do not be disturbed at this in terruption of your tete-a-tete, made moiselle," said the sheriff, doffing his hat. "I have but to deliver these pa pers to M. Quillebert and be oif, with apologies for the intrusion." And he handed the documents to Quillebert, who received them mechanically, with out so much as looking at the large written characters indorsed upon them. "Before reading those papers, M. Quillebert, allow me to speak with you," said Father Grhe, riding near him and in an undertone communicat ing the particulars of the meeting at "L'Esperance" and the warning in the words of Fyrth. In the struggle to suppress his anger Quillebert's face was that of a demon. It became knotted with swollen veins his bloodshot eyes glared like a bated brute's his heavy lips, though tightly pressed together, shook like storm swept waves of a muddy stream, and his fingers convulsively worked the pa pers they clutched into a crunched and shapeless lump. Father Grhe turned his eyes away from the revolting spec tacle, but Laure gazed upon it fas cinated. "The cowardly Creoles join the bully ing Americans in threatening a French man with lynch law, and you, mon sieur priest, are their herald, eh? That is the case?" at length Quillebert mut tered hoarsely. "It will only aggravate the situation to use insulting adjectives," answered Father Grhe. "Those citizens have but adopted a heroic mode of forestalling a possible and deplorable outcome of an appeal to the law in humanity's cause, and I have borne their message in the hope of preventing two murders. Mile. Luneau, you seem to have the confidence of M. Quillebert." He ac companied these words with a signifi cant look at the girl. "Advise him against his dangerous impulses." Her face was instantly aflame, and her eyes became orbs of wrath, but she made no audible reply nor returned the bow of the priest and sheriff as they rode away. "You see, my little Gasconne," said Quillebert, "what flows from a com bination of maudlin hysteria of the Estelle Latiolais type and abolition am bition and avarice of the Oakfell brand." "The Horace Oakfell brand, you mean," Laure retorted sharply. "M. Evariste, I am sure, has no part in these doings." "So, so!" mused Quillebert aloud, as if detecting something, yet doubting whether the discovery pleased him. "Not M. Evariste, eh? Aha! Well, let us see. Estelle, yes. Oakfell, yes. But not M. Evariste no? She has lost her reason on Oakfell, but not M. Evariste, eh? And I have thought he was pray ing at her cbWch!" "Not so. I do not believe a word of it," snapped Laure. "Nor I now. I must have been mis led by the frequency of his visits at the Latiolais house." Observing that Laure's vexation was approaching the limit of restraint, he adroitly gave his comments another direction. "My ha trad of the one made it too easy for me to do injustice to his half brother. I should have remembered that Evariste has French blood. His grandfather was a grand rascal of '93. Estelle's great grandfather was a grand gentle man of '89. There should be more puissant sympathy between him and the true Gasconne maid than between him and the simpering descendant of a supercilious and skipping emigre. We may have a friend in the enemy's camp." "But the warning must be heeded." Laure said. "For the present, yes," Quillebert re luctantly assented "but my day will come." "If you prudently employ those days which lie between." "You know my race." "Yes." "Well." "That is enough." And with a sting ing blow of the whip Laure started the big mule into a swinging trot toward the junction of the bayous. Reaching the point where the road cut the levee and wound down a soft, steep bank to the narrow bridge at the crossing, she beheld Evariste on the other side riding briskly out of the swamp from the di rection of the prairie, and, though she could well have passed over the stream before him, she chose to halt at the wa ter's edge and await him, unseen from her grandmother's cottage. He had not observed her when he emerged ^rom the forest, nor was he aware of her presence until he had begun the de scent of the almost sheer declivity with apparent recklessness, but with justi fied confidence In the sure footed beast PBEsr^ETpy uarioarf that bore him. Checking his horse at the bridge's approach and saluting taure laughingly, he said: "-re vouz, mademoiselle." "No, M. Evariste pass over to this side. I have something to say to you," Bhe replied, and in a moment he was at her buggy's wheel. "Tell me," said she, "w hat is the meaning of this persecution of M. Con stant? Is it neighborly? Is it not abolitionist?" "I have no part in the business, be lieve me," he answered. "It is not the sort of thing to interest me. My brother affects philosophy, humanitarianism, al truism and other isms which appeal to his emotional nature, but which have no charm for me, and it seems he has undertaken the affair as a knight of old would sally forth to chop the head off a dragon." "To win a fair lady." Laure furnish ed the conclusion from her reading of the Trouveres in the old books sent to her grandmother by the brother who 'ad served the emperor in Egypt. "I do not comprehend, mademoiselle," said Evariste. "Who can be the fair lady of this exploit?" "Estelle Latiolais." She shot the name at him, intently watching his face. It flushed hers paled. But, forc ing a smile, he answered: "You are but guessing, mademoiselle. Horace has not seen Mile. Latiolais since she went away to the convent near four years ago." "It is you who guess, and badly. The grandchild of the doctress needs not to guess. Attend to me. The night Leon ran away he went to your broth er, sent by Estelle, with her request that he would procure the rogue's free dom. At the very moment M. Constant was leathering the wretch as he degains served your brother was pressing the hand of Estelle Latiolais passionately in his and pledging himself to the scheme for her sake." "How can you have knowledge of these things?" His eyes and voice be trayed agitation. "How can you be ignorant of them who see your brother every day and the lady but little less often?" She saw her advantage. "This is no answer, mademoiselle," he said peevishly. "If I could feel under duty," said Laure, sighing, and, catching a warmer look in the young man's eyes, she add ed with an air of trusting frankness: "But I will tell you, M. Evariste, how I know, for, though I have not convent education and accomplishments, I am not one to smile and conceal, pretend and deceive. Know, then, that old Olive, Leon's mother, comes frequently to my grandmother and to her has told these things as she learned them from Odette, the maid of Estelle. They are ti-ue. No one dares lie to the doctress." "Probably. I thank you, mademoi selle. Good night." The young man raised his hat with his right hand as he tightened the bridle with his left. "But!" exclaimed Laure, as if to stay him then, suddenly changing her pur pose, amiably repeated "Good night, monsieur," and, crossing the bridge, toiled slowly up one bank, while Eva riste's horse bounded up the other like a chamois over an Alpine wall. He gave bridle and spur to the fleet animal, whose speed was timed to the storm that raged within his breast. His brows were drawn downward and together, and from under them his eyes looked fiercely, but saw only the im ages created by his frenzy. He could but believe that his frequent visits and warmth of manner had plainly notified to Estelle his passion, though it was as yet undeclared in speech, and the os tentatious suavity of her reception of him, as he now regarded it, was suffi cient warrant for' confidence that his devotion was acceptable. His brother's patronizing munificence and studied show of candor had lulled him into a sense of security against any possible clash between their desires. Yet those two had met on a memorable day. An arduous task had been imposed by her and taken up by him, which necessa rily implied reciprocal regard and trust, reward of the tenderest nature and the hope thereof. Their hands had clasped, and be, for the guerdon of her favor, had set forth in a venture perilous alike to his life and his political pros pects. Only a perfect understanding of the most ardent character could explain all this, so skillfully hidden trom him. Horace, taking advantage of his (Eva riste's) dependence in fortune, was ruth lessly trampling his heart underfoot, for he could not but have known his love for Estelle. Should he submit to be thus ignored in that which was most vital to his happiness? Would life in such submission be worth living? No a thousand times no! Horace boasted American bravery. Evariste would meet it with a trait, inherited "from his ancestor, which had contributed to deepen the red of the French revolu tion. The unguided courage of his brother was a dolt his own talent was a patient, calculating engineer. He would await the proper time for its employment, and the effect would be the horrid crash of all that had been builded on his wrongs. This was the first shadow that had fallen upon his life, and his soul surged darkly as a tempest tossed sea when the winded horse stopped at the gate of the Oakfell home. Seeing Horace advance toward him, he gave the command of Gloster "Dive, thoughts, down to my soulI Here Clar ence comes" and greeted his brother with a smile. CHAPTER IX. QTJUXEBEKT ENTEBTAINS. I is in the nature of some men to maintain and defend the wrongs they do more obstinately and cour ageously than their rights and to stake more for the retaining of an unjust acquisition than a legitimate gain. There are those who would die rather than restore ill gotten wealth, yet would yield their honest earnings THUBSDA^, NOVEMBER to avoid a threatened inconvenience. Such are they who restlessly cultivate calumny to the undoing of the victim and laugh at the truth which damns themselves. Constant Quillebert was no weakling. There was no lack of vigor in his char acter. His was a strong mentality, his vision straight, though his courses were oblique or tortuous. Neither was he the passive creature of circum stances nor yet a mere form molded by environment. Such as he was he made himself by the exercise of volition, forcing his selective power into each trait of his character and every phase of his life. He could without strain of reason have been a pious churchman, but preferred to defy priestcraft, and from choice, not conviction, became a saucy infidel. Wife and children would have sobered and softened his progress to the grave had he willed, but domes tic restraints were as distasteful as moral limitations, and hence he scoffed at matrimony. Nothing was less diffi Ut or expensive than to become an American citizen, entitled to political rights and honors equally with his neighbors but, weighing the induce ments on either side of the proposition, he refrained from swearing fidelity to the constitutions and laws which pro tected him and his accumulations and remained the subject of a foreign po tentate. His genius and accomplish ments would have enabled him to achieve by approved industry and com mendable methods a competency, even wealth, in the generous country where \e dwelt, yet chicanery, commerce in the failings of his fellow men and free booting excursions to the horizons of the law appealed to him more cogently, and, as said by Baldouino, "his chief were notoriously from gambling and usury," and he was rated a rich man with a goodly store of gold. While it had been potentially his to be in the community an elder, giving judgment, he enjoyed eminence among the cav ilers against order. Shrewa, bold, un scrupulous, tireless, he was no mean foe whom Oakfell had called into the arena. During the quadrennial period pre ceding the civil war no other word was In the back room of Dede's cabaret. so eloquent to stir popular wrath in Louisiana as the word "abolitionist." Its exposition came from a press and hustings which were at one upon the slavery question, and its definition was confined within the synonymous scope of "hypocrite," "assassin," "insurrec tionist," "house burner," "negrophile." Its blight upon the name of a man was as subtle and sure as that of dishonor upon the fame of a woman. And the rancorous and intolerant, the quickest to respond in fury to the hated word, were the very poor whites inhabiting the infertile highlands, who never own ed and seldom hired negro slaves. All sentiments have their extreme expo nents, and it was not anomalous that the most inimical to the abolition move ment should be those who apparently would be least damaged by its accom plishment. The cunning wit of Quillebert was in stant to see advantage in this condi tion of the popular mind. He had nev er pretended a legal right or title over Leon. He knew he had never pur chased him. He had not forgotten the exception in the deed. He was conscious that his possession resulted from a shameful kidnaping, and his do minion had no other basis than might. He felt that, tried upon its merits of law and fact alone, the issue would be determined against him. Therefore other influences must be brought to bear upon the contest, and ready to his hand lay the anti-American prejudice and antiabolition passion. The thought of Oakfell triumphing over him stung as an ox lash. The barrenness and un worthiness of his cause stimulated him to exertions and inspired tactics which were revelations of endurance and in genuity. In as many nights he rode to Man sura, Le Coigne, Bordelon slough, He de Cote, Marksville, Bayou Blanc, Pa ren Haut, Coude d'CEuf, Bout de Bay ou and Pointe Maigre and sounded the head man of each of these settlements. Laure Luneau was his embassadress to the women of Coude du Francais. These were the colonies of his country men or their descendants, small plant ers of the nonslaveholding class, keep ers of cabarets and roadside shops, blacksmiths, shoemakers, gardeners, charcoal burners, fishermen and hunt ers of the mallard and the papabote. The insinuation was dropped among them that the suit was A move on the part of the abolitionists and Oakfell was their agent, and close upon it fol lowed the rumor, traceable to no source, that while at Baton Rouge he received numerous letters from Boston, Albany. Philadelphia and Oberlin. The night of the Sunday preceding Christmas found Quillebert presiding at the baize covered table in the back room of Dede's cabaret at Mansura. There were no cards or chips on the cloth, but in their stead were dishes 28, 1901.' hjnd a great bowl or steaming gumbo prepared by Dede's wife (he had) no negroes) and glasses and pitchers of hot rum spiced by Dede himslf. Around the board were Dr. De Ronx, Aristides Portvie, Fulgence Jadot, Mar tiri' Brillc, Alee Robelin, Homer Tit bout, Norbert Casebat and Tiboures Fratjean. The last was a swarthy, big jawed, low browed man, short and broad shouldered, a lawyer who in the last election had been an unsuccessful candidate for the judgeship. His rest less black eyes, small and set close to gether, hooked nose and twitching lips over an assertive chin levealed the spir it and faculties suited to further the purposes of Quillebert. The outer doors were locked and windows barred. Nine saddled horses stood under the long low shed at the rear of the cabaret in closure. "Listen, Constant," said Pratjean. "In the court I shall say the plaintiff was born a slave his master never emancipated him. Emancipation must be express it cannot be interred from induct. Bora a slave, never emanci pated, whence got he the right to sue and stand in judgment? Answer me that! First, the question, Has he the right to sue? If you can answer yes to that, only then the second question, ownership -*el non. If you must an swer no, then, though M. Quillebert owns him not, the plaintiff is out of court and cannot be heard. No right, no suit that's all." [TO BE CONTINUED.] Great Chance to Use Your Wits. The Minneapolis Tribune company, which is everlastingly devising new and successful schemes to advertise unquestioned merit as a great news paper, is about to offer $2,500 in prizes in a dot-contest on a larger scale than ever before attempted. The first prize will be $1,000, and every man, woman and child in the northwest not con nected with the Tribune has a chance to win the money. Jumped on a Ten Penny Nail. The little daughter of Mr. J. N. Powell jumped on an inverted rake made of ten penny nails, and thrust one nail entirely through her foot, and a second one-half way through. Cham berlain's Pain Balm was promptly ap plied, and five minutes later the pain had disappeared, and no more suffering was experienced. In three days the child was wearing her shoe as usual, and with absolutely no discomfort. Mr. Powell is a well known merchant of Forkland, Va. Pain Balm is an anti septic, and heals such injuries without maturation, and in one-third the time required by the usual treatment. For sale by Princeton Drug Co. BUSINESS LOCALS. W MONEY to loan on improved farms. M. S. RUTHERFORD, Princeton, Minn. Thanksgiving, and Ludden has Flor ida oranges. Just a few snaps left in clothing at Carew's. Call and inspect. 45tf Be thankful sweet cider at you can get clarified LUDDEN's Farmers, can use your potatoes, corn, oats and produce. Highest mar ket prices. S. A. CAREW. We are thankful to have the best assortment of carpets at LUDDEN'S. I have some bargains in residence lots. Will sell for cash or on time. 20-28 L. S. BRIGGS. The ladies are thankful they can buy those warm knit skirts at LUDDEN'S. Will sell my house and lot. Posses sion may be had at once. Lot is outlot No. 12 Dunham's addition. 2w E INGEBRYTSON. When trading in Princeton remem ber S. A. Carew at the old Sausser corner. He can make you way down bargains on clothing, boots, shoes, groceries, etc. 4.5tf We are thankful, selling the best seal brand rubbers and overshoes. LUDDEN'S STORE. LOSTOn road between brick yard and Princeton, black plush cape trimmed with fur, with purple lining. Finder please return to H. Reem at Long's Siding or leave at UNION office and receive reward. Solberg Bros, have opened a black smith and wagon shop opposite B. Soule's planing mill and are prepared to do all kinds of blacksmithing and wagon work. Horse shoeing and plough work a specialty. Satisfaction guaranteed. 44tf For Sale, 320 Acres. In quantities to suit purchaser, the west half (w$) of section fourteen (14) in Greenbush township. Splendid tim ber and some excellent meadow land. Apply to M. F. HANLEY, 709 N. Y. Life Building, Minneapolis, Minn. Tamarac Poles Wanted. Tamarac poles twenty-five feet long, and not less than six incles at the smallest end, wanted by the Minnesota Rural Telephone Co. To be delivered in lots of fifty and upward, and at places designated. 1 MINNESOTA RURAL TELEPHONE CO., DR. T. L. ARMITAGE, Sec'y, 5l-3w Princeton, Minn. DONT BE FOOLED! Take the genuine, original ROCKY MOUNTAIN TEA Made only by Madison Media cine Co., Madison, Wis. It keeps you well. Our trade nark cut on each package. Price, 35 cents. Never sold In bulk. Accept no auHtt* weoRPOKATEp taw tute. Ask your druggist* Church Topics as .$..$..$. Sunday and Weekday Announcements. METHODIST. Dr. Forbes will preach at Wyanett Sunday afternoon. he Ladies' Aid met with Mrs. E Farnham on Wednesday afternoon. The Greenbush people should not forget Dr. Forbes' sermon at the Greenbush church on next Monday night. Rev. Paul Haight held Thanksgiving services at the Greenbush church last evening. A good many of the Blue Hill people attended. The Ladies' Aid of the Greenbush church met on Wednesday last week with Mrs. Frank Feltze. They met yesterday at the church where they held an all-day meeting, and the men attended and cut up the lumber for the horse sheds the church is erecting. The sheds will be 100 feet long and substantially built. Dr. Forbes will preach at the Prince ton church Sunday evening-, Dec. 1, and hold quarterly conference Monday forenoon. Dr. Forbes' itinery will be as follows Camridge, Friday, Nov. 29 Spencer Brook, Sunday morning, where he will hold services Princeton, Sunday evening, conference Monday morning, and conference sermon at the Greenbush church Monday night. Dr. Forbes is always a welcome visitor at quarterly conference time and is always given a loving welcome. CONGREGATIONAL Union ^Thanksgiving services this evening. Topics for next Sunday: Morning, "Expansion in the Christian Life." Evening, "Christ's Tact Shown in Interviews." The musical and literary entertain ment given under the auspices of the Dorcas society at the church on Tues day nigh 1 was a very interesting event and those participating made up a program of songs, instrumental music, recitations, etc., that was well worth hearing. The entertainment netted the society the snug sum of $14. GERMAN LUTHERAN. Rev. Schimpfsky conducted Thanks giving services in the church this morning at 10 o'clock. There was a good attendance. The pastor has held regular morning Thanksgiving ser vices ever since the church was dedicated ^aWHjyavi^iMw^wasawiwMawicMgw. Burlington The best way to reach East ern and Southern cities is via Chicago or St. Louis via Bnrlington Route trains. Leaving Minneapolis on the Scenic Express in the morn ing, there is a 300 mile 1 ide along the Mississippi, reach ing Chicago 9:35 P. M. Leav ing in the evening on the Limited, you have the finest Electric lighted train in the world, reaching Chicago 9:25 next morning. ASK YOUR HOME AGENT TO SEND YOU BY THE BURLINGTON Endorsed by its old acquaintances UNCLE SAMS .ONOGM.. WHISKEY A splendid drinking whiskey for home and town. Sold by Dealers and Druggists. RPN 7 3t.Paili and Minneapolis.i1 fcrv.i du i au niiiica|/vw *SON \BaItimonSfd.