Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1890-02-21
A Terrible Love Ste nv,
CHAPTER III.


tress scant tokens of respect. yet gave
her a perfect service; the mistress
treated her maid with few marks of
courtesy, and yet showed u covert
dread OF her in the stealthy chances
she directed Mt her from under her
light eyelashes and in the cd ution
with which she expressed herself
when she disapproved of any step
taken by Judith.
Madam Dumasque was n mystery to
her neighbors, although, when young
Mrs. Despard died ut Lena's birth, and
her husband, who never recovered
from the shock Of her death, followed
her in less than two years, nothing
seemed more fitting than for Count
Despard's widowed sister to come
to Fairview and undertake the
bringing up of the orphaned heiress
whose mother had been the only child
and heiress of Squire Peregrine
Count Despard had been deservedly
respected and loved at Abbotsford, in
spite of his being foreigner; and
among all classes in the ncighborhood
there was much sincere sorrow over
his early death and pity for his help
less little child.
Madam Dumasque assumed tho reins
OF government, and, after year of
perfect seclusion and devotion TO her
infant charge, she opened the doors of
Faireview to visitors, and sent for an
orphan nephew, a boy OF thirteen, to
spend the holidays under her roof
Gustave Dumasque proved anything
but an agreeable visitor to the servants
OF Faireview, to whom he behaved in a
naughty and insolent manner, besides
playing many dangerous pranks with
the horses under their care He asso-
ciated with the worst characters in
Abbotsford, and, in spite of his youth,
was brought homo more than once in
n state of semi-intoxication; but to
every complaint of him his aunt burned
q deaf ear, while Judith shielded him
from the anger Of her mistress when it
occasionally burst forth. Therefore,
instead of being forbidden the house,
he came there more frequently and
stayed longer, until finally he made
Faireview his home, his shelter from
all sorts OF disgrace during his school
and college life, and his asylum in
later years whenever he became weary
of debauchery. On the subject of his
expected marriage with Lena he kept
up a constant feud with his aunt, while
he bullied her for money with which
to continue the life of gaity no loved
so well. Thus time had gone on until
Lena had passed her eighteenth birth
day, and had met her fate in Clifford
Peregrine.
On the following morning Lena rose
with renewed hope and determ nation
at the thought of having gone thus far
without discovery. She thre open
her window, framed with ivy and late
roses, and looked out at the fair do
mains which some day would be all
her own, shared and enjoyed by the
man whom she loved. She gathered
n cluster of the palo scented blossoms
which nestled among the leave s, al
most regretful at taking them from
the sunshine, the birds, and the bees.
In her JOY at remembering how near
was the hour of her freedom. she
would have dealt tenterly with the
smallest insect crawling among the
tender grass spread out before her;
and, when she turned to her mirror,
she saw that her face was glorified
with the beauty and the strength that
her love had given her Her deep
blue eyes were cleaning brightly, her
cheek was delicately tinted with the
flush of hope, and, as she taste ned the
fragrant flowers at her throat, She felt
surprised at her own loneliness. Never
had her mirror told so sweet d story.
Hitherto there had been toe much
pathos in her face, too much repress-
cd sorrow, which had marred what
was so fair; but this morning, as she
decended the staircase, Judith met her
u radiant picture in her soft blue
cashmere morning wrap, with the
roses at her throat and the sunshine
lighting up her golden hair. The
woman, moving aside with prim
"Good morning. turned, when she
had passed, to look after her, then,
with sinister smile, went On her
way. Unconscious of the effect of
her beauty on Judith, Lena entered
the room in which breakfast was us
ually served, and was presently Join
ed by her aunt.
Breakfast began, and Mada1 ne Du-
masque chatted on commonplace sub
jects, Lena responding with an ami
nation which amused her aunt, who
guessed rightly the cause OF her good
spirits. After breakfast the girl wan
dered into the grounds with d book,
absorbed in her happy thoughts. Her
troubles would soon be at an end
life would then BE all one fair garden
full of the blossoms of. love and pleas
ure.
While Lena thus beguiled the hap
Ply hours, Clifford had taken leave of
his landlady, only remarking that he
should return to The Blackthorn" in
about weeks time.
VERY good. SIR" said Mrs. Top
ping. "Your old rooms will be wait
ing for you; and me and my good man
II be right glad to see you, as you
know"
Thank you, Mrs. Topping; may
put your kindness to the proof some
day when you least expect it, y return
Cd Clifford, with a meaning smile.