Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1890-02-14

| atlon OF Dumasque 10 comply Win inc
wishes of his aunt"
As Clifford finished speaking, he be-
came aware that his companion was
| quietly weeping in n manner
| most hopeless to witness, and his love
for the gentle solitary orphan girl, left
| to the care of such a stern unnatural
guardian, grew deeper and more fer
vent still.
| Walking up and down before the old
| gateway, he soothed her with many
re-assuring words, until, just as the
church clock chimed the quarter to
nine they both started at the sound of
brisk even footsteps advancing toward
them. They drew back within the
shadow of the arch, but did not re-
main unseen, for a cheerful voice cried
| out
'Give ye good even, sir! I'm late
on my way from market and there's
others behind me; the moonlight's
| bright, and tells more truths than one
at time;" and. with q curtesy, Il
buxom woman, with basket of gro
ceries on her arm went on her way to
the village.
Clifford responded to the woman
greeting; but Lena remained silent,
striving to regain her cOmposure.
When she was able to speak, she beg
| ged him in tremulous voice and
with terrified air, to let her return
| home.
Il will not keep you any longer,
dearest, for | know that good Mrs.
Topping conveyed some warning in
her mysterious greeting, and we might
be discovered; but, Lena, my mind is
made up. | am my own master, and
| will not, cannot have you exposed to
such u life of cruel restraint, which is
wearing away all your energy and
crushing out your hope in tears, lest
you should be forced into marriage
with Dumasque, whose character is
well known to every man of our set as
that of one utterly unworthy the name
of gentleman"
81 am certain he is a dreadful man"
returned Lena with n shudder, "for
he brings with him such terrible COM
panions, some of them of the very low
est description. / wonder aunt Juliet,
who is so proud, allows the house to
be disgraced by them. For one reason
alone do | feel grateful to Gustave,
and that is he avoids my company as
much as possible when he is at
home. | am full of dread now, for
every day / expect to hear that he is
coming. Oh, Clifford. wish you were
not obliged to gon'
She drew nearer to him in her agita-
ton, and he stopped moment to
draw her cloak more closely round her
slender form, as he said firmly
Il will return at the end of a week,
or ten days at the very longest. In
the meantime, my Lena must take
hope and be brave for when return
the old gateway shall witness our final
love-tryst. There we will meet for
the last time for you shall leave its
friendly shadow to be made my wife.
Remember that Mrs. Topping is our
faithful adherent, and do not fear to
seek her aid should any unforeseen cir
cumstance urge you to do so. All you
have to 20, my darling, is to remain
quiet and patient until | am able to re-
turn and release you from your miser-
able position. | would do so this very
night, with Mrs. Topping's aid; bu.
you know | am rich man, with many
responsibilities upon my shoulders,
and must see my steward and arrange
for long absence from home"
Yes replied Lena with a deep
sigh, II know | am poor, faint
hearted, silly girl; but l am so afraid
of Aunt Juliet and Judith, her maid!
They seem to exercise fatal influence
over me, one which l am utterly pow
erless to resist. But, Clifford, | shall
be looking forward day by day for
your return, and, whatever may hap
| pen, | will be brave; | will not let
aunt Juliet see that | fear her.
''Well spoken, my brave one!" re-
turned her lover fondly. ''Be certain
that | will remain true to my word
and hasten back with all possible
speed to claim your promise. After
all, we shall soon meet again; there
fore we will put aside our miserable
! apprehensions and devote the minutes
left us to forming some plan to be car
ried out on my return. 1t is Wednes-
day evening; | shall return here on
Saturday week. On that evening
meet me at our usual rendezvous at
eight o'clock-will you, sweetheartp"
II will, Clifford, unless aunt
should prevent me. But how will you
know that? You may imagine me
after all unfaithful, untrue to my
word" and she looked up at him visit
fully.
Never he said earnestly. Trust
to me for finding out all about your
movements. Do not fear my DESERT
ing you, dearest; and remember that
Mrs. Topping loves you, and would
serve you to the utmost of her ability
She detests Madam .Dumasque, who is
not popular in the village have
found that out in the short visits |
have made here from time to time;
and as TO her nephew, believe the
people hate him.
"My aunt and Gustave have always
been regarded as interlopers," rejoin-
ed Lena, although my father APP
pointed his sister as my guardian,
and must have placed the fullest conf
dence in her. But hark-nine o'clock
is striking. | must hurry, or l will
be discovered.
The two lovers had reached the
great chestnut-avenue, and there they
babe each other farewell Clifford to re-