Argosy, Vol. 122, No. 1 — page 106: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

96 tired them, he rang for the old French wo- man to conduct them to their chamber, bade them good night, and stood while they went from the room. He did not at once resume his seat, but began to pace the floor with slow steps, ab- sorbed in his thoughts and only now and again harkening to the howl of the tempest. Perhaps he reviewed the years of hatred lying between the two families, which though resulting in actual bloodshed merely at long intervals was yet sufficient to keep the enmity burning with a steady flame. Perhaps he perceived the folly of it, its senselessness, its blight upon the lives of all, like a poisonous exhalation from the sur- rounding marsh. Perhaps he wished the original Gaillard and Zorrilla could have composed their quarrel and lived thereafter in amity. These, perhaps, were his secret reflections, Then suddenly Isabel Zorrilla parted the portiéres and reentered the room. “Your pardon, Louis Gaillard,” said she. “I forgot my toucan.”’ | He had let the presence of the bird pass from his mind. But now he observed that it still was in the room, perched on the back of the cane chair. He went to bring it to her. As he paused with the bird in his hands, he asked in a low voice: “To-morrow you go across the bayou. When shall I see you again?”’ ‘Tf you stand at the foot of your grounds by the water,” she replied, “ you can see me any time.” He fastened his eyes upon hers as if he would conquer them, ahd conquering them master her will. _ “ Seeing is not enough,” he continued. ‘We are enemies,” said she. ‘“‘ Give me the bird, and J’ll go.” But she did not put forth a hand for it. ‘Then let us meet as enemies,” he stated. “We can talk of how the Zorrillas hate the Gaillards, and the Gaillards the Zorrillas.” “ That, at any rate, would be true,” said she, sweeping his face with her violet eyes. - And then perhaps we should talk of other things.” ‘We? What else would there be for us to talk of?” she asked, with a hint of mock- ery. live-oak by the~edge of the water. THE ARGOSY. f Gaillard set the toucan upon the table by which they stood and considered her smilingly. Her lips were a little com- pressed, while the rose-color in her cheeks had increased, as if in her breast was beat- ing an ill-contained excitement. ‘Could we not find subjects—or seek them, at least—which might be even more interesting than an old hate?” he ques- tioned. “ Are our minds so empty, our lips so slow, we can speak of one thing, and of only one? I, I could speak an hour of violet eyes, and never tire. Let us hate each other cordially and forever, if you will, great heavens, we need not always be talk- ing of it!” Isabel started, listened, then appeared relieved. : ‘“T thought I heard Felipa’s step,” said she. ‘I wouldn’t have her hear this ridicu- lous speech of, yours, which displeases me greatly and which if I-were not a guest I should not even harken to for an instant.” ‘“Felipa’s not coming,” said he, unper- turbed. ‘‘ And now, listen—there are trees south of your house; among them. a great You know it?” She nodded indifferently. 6< Oh, yes.” “To-morrow night at nightfall I shall be there,” he said. Her breath came a trifle faster. Her blue eyes leaped up to his, then away. ‘To-morrow evening; why such haste?” she ridiculed. ‘And there I’ll await you,” he added. “Yes, and wait in vain—if I don’t choose. to have men there to seize you. For your life, as you know, will be forfeit. When did ever a Zorrilla spare a man of your house?” His soft laugh echoed her words. ‘“ Whenever the Zorrilla was a woman and her fancy so ran. No, however passion- ate your hatred, however fierce your feeling, you're not one to betray me when I come placing my safety and life in your hands.” ‘You reckon too strongly on what I would not do.” ‘“No, or then I’m deceived in all wo- mankind. Even when your lips exclaim most forcibly, I don’t believe.” cComiclbooks.com