Rocky Ford enterprise., 1896-12-10

lectual sweep Of the forehead. and those
sadly wistful eyes.
Sweet image of the past! what can
you know of Emile!' exclaimed he.
"My mother has told me; and, an, !
admire, l respect you SO much; anu l
wish"
What do you wish, innocent one!'
THAT l could comfort you! was
Felicie's fervent answer.
He seized her hand and kissed 1t pas
sionately. She was almost sure that
shower of hot tears accompanied the
caress.
BE satisfied; you have comforted
me. Countess, this is the sweetest mo-
ment have known for years.
| Heaven will reward you, sometime,
Emile. can never for moment
doubt 1t. AS for me. l am poweriess
to express my gratitude for your dis
interested devotion"
He turned the light slowly upon her
face, and was evidently shocked at the
traces of care and time.
$50 chansed." murmured he; an
my lady, heart-griefs wear deepest.
You had scarcely have been more worn
had you become peasants VIE.
The countess made a deprecating ges-
ture.
Hush, Emile, do not allude to the
past. / am faded. careworn woman
and am the Countess Languedoc.
Both should prevent you from recalling
any other knowledge Of me. am
thankful to see you still In tne very
pride OF manly strength; and am
deeply grateful for your kindness.
His eye had again turned upon re-
lIcie.
"The past years seem but a day when
I look upon her. 1t seems that 1 once
more behold the Lady Violante OF my
Youthful Dreams" murmured he, In
dreamy tone.
The countess watched him uneasily.
"My daughter is betrothed to the
young Marquis De Berri. The marriage
is to take place at once"
"I know" answered Emile. with n
grave smile; "he is a noble youth, and
lie worthy of her. Though these be
scarcely the times for marrying or CIV
ing in marriage, may prosperity and
peace attend them! It should be SO, II
my poor will were law. And now to
return to the danger which surrounds
you. It Is imperative that return to
Paris Immediately. but shall make no
| tarrying there. l only go to perfect
arrangements for your future safety.
do not believe there will be any dis
turbance during my absence. At all
events, you have this retreat In case OF
imperative need. shall work on the
subterranean chamber the rest of the
night, and leave 1t habitable, though
not as comfortable as intend to leave
It. l think you will see the count in
two days at the longest. or course,
you will not need my caution to keep
all that you have witnessed tonight
entirely to yourselves. BY all means
try to appear before this wretched
oyerseer as If you had still faith in his
honesty"
I'VE shall fortunately be spared the
need Of assembling. He is aware how
little respect we bear him."
"That is well. Now we must arrange
some signal, whereby l may acquaint
YOU with my presence here. What shall
1t be?"
"a bunch of wild flowers thrown on
the rocky bridge Of the meadow. l Will
lcok for them myself, every morning"
cried Felicie, eagerly.
Some one might pick them up" OBJ
served the countess.
"Oh, no; for l shall be before them
ALL" answered Felicie.
$50 be it then. And now l will ac-
i tho tnt n
sight of the chateau"
"Pray extinguish your lantern" cried
Felicie, archly. II shall have no fancy
for the uncanny company Of ghost .
"Where are your fears, Felicie? In
view of all we have heard and seen, l
expected you would need all my per-
suasion to keep calm"
"Ah! but 1 did not know in the be-
ginning that Emile was to be our pro-
tector!"
| Sweet, ingenious child!' cried
Emile; Heaven give me the power
to deserve your charming confidence.
cannot resist the influence. Countess
Violante, I must thank you for teach
ing your daughter to have such kindly
sentiments for me-"
81 told her the story. Emile, to ex-
plain why l had kept her in such strict
retirement, and because of her girlish
repugnance to her marriage with the
| marquis"
You do not approve, then, of these
unions which consult only fortune and
title, Lady Felicie?" observed Emile,
as they slowly left the wood.
Il abhor them!" returned she, with
forvor.
"And what says the countess?"
That it is cruel to excite repug-
nance to q destiny you know is in
evitable. But the system is as de-
| tcsiable to me as to any one."
ut is TO last but a frail moment
longer" calculated Emile. 20, France!
at what terrible carnival of frightful
passions is your publication to come"
They had now reached the open
meadow from which the roof and CHM
neEs OF the chateau could be plainly
seen.
DO not accompany us farther; there
IS no occasion for 1t, and your time is
vc,uahle," said the countess.
70 turned at once.
Then wish you goodnight"
The ladies' waited till the woods hid