Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1890-03-14
A Terrible Love Story.
CHAPTER V.

Gustave would certainly arrive on that
very evening, and, in tone of tri-
umph, proceeded to unfold her plans.
'He will arrive this evening"" she
said; land tomorrow morning we
shall leave here for Folkestone. pro-
coed thence 10 Boulogne, and so on to
Paris, when you will be married; after
which l will return to Faireview and
have it prepared for your reception,
leaving Judith to act in capacity of
maid to you,"
Madame Dumasquep paused to observe
the effect of her words; but her
victim carefully guarded herself from
betraying the agitation and despair
she felt, and said quietly
"At what hour. do you expect Gus
tave, aunt JulietP"
"Why do you aslz?" en1 uired
madame quickly.
81 thought we might meet him, that
Is all, " replied Lena listlessly.
"He will arrive in time even to Join
us at dinner; therefore meeting him is
out of the question. ] hope you will
now reconcile yourself to my arrange
ments, particularly us your lover,
Clifford Peregrine, is dead, and all
your hopes in that quarter are at an
cnd.n
Again Madame Dumasque studied
the beautiful face opposite to her, but
could not determine what lay beneath
its fixed expression. Lena certainly
turned very pale as she repeated the
word "dead" in bewildered manner;
for at first she thoroughly believed her
aunt, and her heart seemed to stop
beating and the room to grow dark.
Eyes; he caught a fever abroad and
died there about two months ago. 1
know that my information is correct.
| heard OF his death only week ago;
| had lost sight of him for some little
time: before that, l knew he had been
searching the continent to find YOU
Madame smiled maliciously, as she
thought how successfully Clifford had
been duped; and Lena said despairing-
ly-
"lf this be true, it matters not to me
what fate has in store for me; have
indeed lost all hope"
Her quiet helplessness was relief
TO the older lady.
"Sho will be no further trouble"
she thought; land l can now manage
Gustave; so it will be all smooth sail
ing"
While the meal proceeded, madame
gave Lena many directions about pack
ing her most valued belongings, and
describing infinitely the route to be
taken-to all of which the girl passive
ly assented; but, when she reached
the solitude of her room, she gave
way to her anguish, and called upon
Cliiford's name in an agony of grief,
and in this condition was found by
Judith.
Crying, Miss Lenap" said the wom-
an. "Thats no use-tears won't
bring back the dead. When you are
married you'll settle down and forget
this Mr.. Peregrine; besides, it's better
for you to give in; your aunt always
has her own way, and will as long as
she lives"
"She can have 1t, as far as / am
concerned" answered Lena hopelessly,
determined to deceive Judith if posi-
BILE. Il do not care what becomes of
me, for all hope is over; but aunt Ju-
liet will have her cruelty TO answer for
some day."
The girls manner awed Judith, who
looked extremely uncomfortable.
There's no turning my mistress
when her mind is set on anything" she
said with a frown.
$50 it appears; but it is great
mystery to me why she is bent upon
marrying me to this bad man, unless
she wishes my misery TO kill me,
that she may benefit by my death"
As Lena said this Judith's face turn
ed first red, then pale, then red again;
but she made no reply, and began to
pack trunk which stood ready. BY
the afternoon she had completed her
task, for she was clover active wom-
an.
Gustave sent u messenger with a
note, saying he would breakfast at the
Mill House on the following morning.
The weary hours dragged by. Lena
appeared to be perfectly Indifferent to
everything: but she had made up her
mind to escape that night, to find out
the truth about Clifford, and, If he was
indeed dead-gone from her forever
to hide herself under feigned name,
and to work for her daily bread until
the end OF the six years, when she
would come forward and claim her
rights. Tortured by doubts, fears and
hopes, she at length reached her
room, and began to prepare for rest.
This she did in case of any sudden in
terruption, and it was fortunate she
took the precaution, Half an hour
after she had lain down, the room
door quietly opened and Judith came
In. She pasrel over TO the dressing
table, and, shading her candle from
the girl. who was feigning sleep, bent
over and examined every trile that
was scattered about the room. She
slipped pair of scissors and PEN
knife into her csckes, then examined