Bozeman avant courier. [volume] (Bozeman, Mont.) 1872-1882, 1875-02-19
GALA.

tlai stofm 1T lonely stone mansion among
The hills. found his situation hourly more
interesting.
Regardless Of isolated positioa, che
house was luxuriouslv established. There
was no rocking Of the stone wall during
the fearful storm. The light fellthrough
empurpied windows, upon painted panel
and Massive carving. Velvet roses lay
along the floors, and finer draperies sepa-
rated one from another the'capacious sui es
Of rooms. Costly old paintings leaned
down from the walls. and relics Of foreign
travels were scat attercd on tables and cab
inets.
In six hours he learned that his host
and hostess were Monster and Madame
Arnaldo. Their son and only child was
q breathing horror.
He was some four feet high. . hunch-
back, club foot, and malignsntly ugly.
Yet he was the parents idol. He opend
his mouth but for words of vituperation
be beat his valet with crutch, and spit in
the face of the butler; yet his father ad.
dressed to him mild words-his mother
ever took his part against others.
"Emile's aifiiction commends him to
our indulgence" observed Monster Ar
naldo, softly rubbing his hands AS Sur
rey's gaze returned from the cripple 8
furious fight after servant who had
chanccd TO break his egg the wrong way.
''He is little petulent, poor fellow,
but we can not be- severe with him. All,
no! but we hope he will be better temper
ed by and-by. Eli. Cclleste?'
A look Of pleasure went over madame s
sallow face.
1T will not be long now" she mur-
INJURED, as if to herself, as she turned
away.
A great Sligo hound lay always at the
foot If the oaken stair case. To th.s star
case Surrey was never invited 10 go.
Hts sleeping room. on Tie first floor,
communicated with the libr ~ Ii 40
communicated with the garden. Here
terraced steps led down 10 little pleas
ure lake, gray and troubled now with fal-
ling rain.
He had vague fancy. ha John Sur
rev. thai there was another inmate of the
house besides the tnsee ArnDlus ana tnclr
servants. A negro, bearing tray of
food. went past the great dog Sentinel.
up the naken stair case. three times day
There was forgotten quit sr soaking i.
the rain on the balcony, and scarf Of
violet silk. that could never have bt!onge
to madame's fwany cheks and black ha:r.
blew from an open easement. aud caught
upon a brown azslia hush.
Sarrey opened the garden door. and.
regardless Of a smar; drenching, rescued
the perishable thing. True to is iend,r
tint, it SINE led Of vlOlets
'They have not 9 daughter This
is a secret What is ,l?'
| On the second evening. restless from
twcnty-f,ur hours confinement to the
,use, h" drew on his boo's, plunged int
cloak and cap, and went out into the wet
garden.
The wind was how'i.g wildly, but at
hat moment no rain vas falling, AMI onlv
the tossing bOughs hung water apon him
| He paced up and hown a pa'h in t,e
g .tnering darkness Was 1t the trees that
snbbe', and sighed SO? Had the wind
voice in which to utter br.k-n murmurs /?
| A window far above him WIS open;
girl's fair head lay prone upon the window
sill, her siiken curls floating out into the
night.
''She is prisoner"
Conviction forced these words from
him. Leaping lightly into tree, he STEP
ped from limb 10 limb, and sprang alertly
upon the bslcony.
Pardon I"
She raised her head.
II have come to help you. VIVA. is
the matter
Her white face and golden hair CLEANED
in the dusk.
'tYou are the traveller, the stran. er,
overtaken by the storm ;" she questioneI
''Yes.'' He paused. ''What is the
cause Of your grie'? Why are you shut
up here ~
She suddenly rose to her feet. and stood
in her slender, white beauty, framed by
the stone window arch
'.SAut up here!'' she repeated. II
swear to you have moi been out of th is
suite of rooms for four years."
He recoiled in amazement.
.Oh. am wretched tonight I" she
went on. "Hcaven help my plgh,! List
en-! I have never had chance to tell any
one my story before These Arnalios
brought m- here when was twelve yeas
old was friendle-s orphan. They
have educated me, and furnished me with
every luxury, They have n ever been un-
kind to me; but if I could es-ape. would
fe on foot, through the storm, to the
furthermo~t parts of the earth, to hide
from them I"
:Why?"
you have seen Emile ?"
"Yes,'
II am to be married to HIM next week !"
''Go0d God!"
THAT IS why they took me-t0 furnish
. wife ,or Emile. Oh. l,athc him He
is more horrible. more bcasrly than you
know. Is not this cruel fate for me o.
by heaven ii shall not be! PIepOs-
terous -
"Hush! Arnaldaido is mild, he is oily
voiced and bland He 10 without feeling.
though: rave prayed to him IN vain. he
and madame call me ungra eful."
But you can csc .pe from this place."
She shock her head
.'Sentinel would tear me limb from limb |
If went down the stair c.se. He has |
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