Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1890-02-14
A Terrible Love Story.
CHAPTER I.

ford-there was still much OF summer
freshness and beauty.
Faireview deserved its name. Gray
lichens spread like soft protecting fur
where the weather-stained bricks were
left exposed by the sturdy dark green
ivy which clothed it in some parts TO
the very chimney tops, and among
which gentler, less hardy creeping
vines clustered in the warmer months
of the year. Roses pushed their pink
fragrant blossoms through the many
quaint open easements; and in the
llower-gardens round the mansion
there was "a profusion of beauty and
perfume. AT the end of winding
walk was n fine old fish-pond, where
the golden carp lived in peace and
water lilies spread their creamy cups
and large green leaves. In the park,
about mile from Faireview, was part
OF ruin so ancient that its very name
had been forgotten, and the people
called it "The Gateway" as if no
other gateway existed. It had been
the meeting-place of many generations
of lovers belonging to tho house of
Poregrine, and tho Rendezvous for
more than one duel or political in
trigue.
A young man was pacing thought
fully up and down in the shadow of
the old arch and the ruined tower
Now and then he paused to listen with
anxious face and head bent eagerly
forward, only to renew his sentinel
like pacings with evident disappoint-
ment and sorrow. Presently how
ever, his patience was rewarded-his
heart beat wildly at the unmistakable
sound OF footsteps; and the next mo-
ment girl appeared within sight. He
hurried forward to meet her, bowling
low, and greeting her with courtly
grace and Difference
She moved hurriedly and timidly
along the grassy pathway, trembling
beneath her large black mantle, eager,
anxious, loving, yet full of misgivings,
TO such girl as Lena Despard, the
heiress of Faireview, q clandestine
meeting with one whom she both hon
ored and loved seemed II reproach.
Yet in no other manner could she have
learned her fate.
To Clifford Peregrino this secret
loye-tryst WAS equally repellant; but,
understanding her unfortunate posi-
ton better even than she did herself,
he ran the risk of such a meeting as
this that he might at least comfort her
with his counsel and his love. On
this night especially Lena was filled
with dread, for that very day the
young man had been to seek an inter-
view with her aunt and guardian,
Madame Dumasque, who, by the
direction in Mr. Despard's will. pos
sessed entire control over her until
her twenty-iifth year. Lena had met
Clifford in the preceding spring at the
house of n friend; he belonged to a
distant branch of her mothers family,
and, with this slight thread of interest
their acquaintance rapidly developed
into friendship, and friendship ripen-
cd into love.
AS Clifford drew her hand within
his arm, Lena asked hurriedly-
"liave you been to aunt JulietPn
He regarded her compassionately,
while flush of indignation tinted his
handsome features.
IL have, dearest Lena-I had an in
terview with Madame Dumasque this
morning. Is it possible she has not
mentioned my visitp'
"She has not even breathed your
name; but this evening, although we
sat down at our usual early hour, she
remained so long at table that began
to fear | should not secure moment
to myself; and, oh, Clifford, know it
Is deceiving aunt Juliet, but | felt |
must know how you prospered, and
that | must bid you goodbye before
you leave here! But even now | ought
to be on my way back to the house"
"Do not distress yourself so, my
child!' returned Clifford with a gravi-
ty far beyond his age. II will go with
you on your return, and you shall not
be late | promise you. i wish | had
good tidings for you, dear; but neither
you nor | expected success. therefore,
we are partly prepared for failure.
Madame Dumasque received me with
her usual stately, cold and formal
politeness, and heard all my pleading
TO the end without Il single interrupt
ton, or even "A smile. My anxiety and
suspense made me appear blunder-
ing, conceited fool, l know; but l
managed to lay before her all the cir
eumstances OF our meeting, our mutual
attachment, the nature and condition
of my property, and my connection
with your mothers family. My effort
was feeble but sincere; her reply was
brief and conclusive. She rose and
made me a formal curtsey. Mr.
Peregrine, she said. Il thank you for
the honor paid by you to my niece and
ward, Miss Despard; but she should
have spared you the humiliation of
meeting with refusal, as she is per-
fectly aware that she is betrothed to
my nephew, Gustaye Dumasque, which
fact renders it unnecessary for me to
say more Before | could reply, she
summoned servant and dismissed
me. Don't think me a coward, dear
est, for submitting to her; but l had
no alternative left me. Madame
Dumasque is your appointed guard
ian for seven more years;
and although It maddens
me to think OF this and the fate to |
which she is directing you. am sure
that open rebellion on our part would
but hasten the crisis. We have still !