Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1891-11-05
CHAPTER XIV.
BY MOONLIGHT.

~T1. ~
"Hc tDtu ktll you n he gets the chance"
Colonel Talbot became frequent Wis
itor at Roosevelt place, and his marked
attentions to Rosalie might have at
tracted some notice from one less
wrapped up in the young girls happiness
than Aunt Marguerite. AS it was, how
ever, almost every day saw him spend at
least an hour in her company He did
not dream of being in love in her He
felt perfectly secure, knowing that he
should marry Miss Fain within few
months; but he was perfectly conscious,
all the same, that a sweet power was
drawing him deeper and deeper into the
rosy atmosphere that surrounded this
dear mysterious mountain maid.
One evening, short time after Ed
gar Julian's departure for Jacksonville,
Rosalie sat alone on the Roosevelt YER
anda, lightly drumming on her banjo
and singing broken snatches from one
of the little French songs her father
had taught her, when Colonel Talbot's
baritone joined in. He had come through
the little side gate and up the steps with
out attracting her attention.
She turned toward him, smiling sweet
ly, rising to greet him, still singing.
When they were seated he begged her to
60 over the little ditty again. Their
voices rose together in strange accord,
and seemed to go away side by side up
into the realms of moonlight. She felt
the touch of strength his presence gave
to the scene, and it was very pleasant
and satisfying thing to sit there beside
him. 1t delighted Rosalie to have him
readily falling into her moods and shar-
ing her whims. She liked him all the
more because she knew he was Miss
Fain's lover. In her simplicity she felt
that the man who was going to marry
her best friend was in position to make
him quite dear to her.
Colonel Talbot was leaning his head
close to hers as they sang. They were
both unaware that tall, dark man had
stopped in the street, just beyond the
courtyard wall and was looking and
listening through the gate.
The man clutched slat of the gate as
If to rend it, then turned and walked
away with his very blood on fire.
Colonel Talbot, as the singing came to
an end. took the banjo from Rosalie and
said:
"Let us go walking-this splendid
moonlight makes an enchanted world of
the city. want to show you the love-
Hest spot under the sky"
81 shall have to ask Aunt Marguerite
FIRST" she answered. IF she says may
go, shall be glad to take the turn
have been indoors all day"
When she returned she had light
blue scarf over her head, and her face
beamed the more wltchingly from the
contrast A few bright locks of her hail
curled over her broad forehead.
"We are not going serenading," she
said, taking the banjo and putting it on
O chair; "aunt says | may not be gone
longer than half hour"
Rosalie hung lightly on Colonel Tai
bots arm, feeling deep sense of secu-
rity, mingled with u girlish consciousness
of the romantic possibilities of the situa-
ton. 1t must be remembered that she
was fresh from the reading of stories full
of knights and troubadours, of princes
in disguise, and of lady loves for whom
men gladly faced death. Ii she dreamed
of lover. she made him, in some sort, a
champion sans peur ct sans reproche.
She would marry him who would win
her by personal prowess directed by the
fervor of romantic love; his nature must
be lofty and his aims pure; he must be a
Launcelot in bravery, Bayard in honor.
Many young girls have such a dream;
but with Rosalie it was q hereditament
q part of her natures fiber.
Talbot nestled her arm closer to his
side. They now and then passed low
stoops where groups of people were en-.
joying the ballny breeze and the moon.
light He felt keen satisfaction in thus
having this fresh young girl all to him
self, and it thrilled him to feel her light
touch on his arm
But where is that lovely scene you
were going to show meP" she demanded
just as they met tall man who, with q
wide brimmed hat slouched over his
face was leisurely strolling in direc
tion opposite to theirs
"Why, that-that was Mr.. Ellis was
1t notY she added almost in whisper
~ believe it was, he replied: 81 coulc
not see his face.
But thought he was in jackson
vile. she murmured
He felt her arm quiver little, and he
voice was disturbed as If with pleisur
able emotion He felt responsive pan:
leap through his own breast at th
thought Of any man save himself caus
ing that tender autter
"We shall reach the spot spoke of II
Q few moments now" he said. nncon
sciously quickening his pace and draw
ing her rapidly along
At length they came to where stree
had been temporarily walled across t.
prevent travel in it during the erertiol
of some public improvement Here Tai
bot paused, finding their further progress
barred by the wall across the street
Il suppose we shall have to forego th
pleasure promised" he said. lit woul