Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1897-12-31

ery evening they went up TO the
y Hgher room, carefully examined the vi
4 cinity, and then in utter silence
stepped out to breathe the delicious
! freshness Of the outer air. But as the
days wore on into weeks, apprehension
. and anxiety seized either mind, though
each endeavored to conceal it from the
bther.
! They still practieed their little inno-
! cent arts for diversion and entertain
ment, bat the blank smile, the absent
look; revealed that their cheerfuIness
was all pretense.
They discovered, too. the watch in
the forest had been more closely en-
forced, for Jules had taken Emile's
place in the upper room and several
times heard the conversation of the
men.
He came down one night and found
Felicie weeping bitterly.
Dear. dear ChIotilde, take heart, I
beseech you" cried he; do not despair;
all will yet be we'll"
She tried vainly to repress her grief.
and then burst forth piteously.
Emile is gone; they have killed
himl my noble, generous friend is lost.
Oh, 1 am all alone-all alone in this
cruel, pitiless worldr'
Jules knelt down before her. and
drew the dropping head to his breast
'Chlotilde, dearest. that is urgener-
ous- Here is one who is ready to sac
riice everything, even life itself, in
your defense You force from me the
secret 1 meant to declare to your IN
Gle before 1 breathed it in your ear
that 1 love you, dearest one, with
love purer and truer and more fervent
than had dared to hope should bright
en- my desolated life; that 7 would
choose you, though I were a king in
the land. before the proudest lady, the
most royal princess-you, peerless
daughter Of the people"
The startled girl had drawn away
her hands from her fearful face-her
soft smile was like a rainbow In a
summer.
rs it possible, Jules?" stammered
she.
'Ah, you are angry, you are vexed,
you have no love in response" said
Jules, in troubled voice
She had drawn herself away as IL
startled by her own discoveries; her
face was half averted, her beautiful
eyes downcast, a rich rose slowly
flushed her cheeks.
4 am astonished, am perplexed,
but angry, ali, no, indeed. Jules I
am rather grateful"
But you have no love for me in re-
turn; alas! why should I have VEN
tured to hope sO?"
She turned her face toward him
slowly. What a sweet hope lighted up
the lovely featuresl
I am cruel to withhold the truth. 1
will not be outdone in generosity.
What I could not say to a marquis I
can answer to you, Jules, I do love
you; yet, you must forget that I have
said it until we see Emile, or learn
that something has befalleH him."
Jules was kissing her hand in the
of delight.
Now is the world a paradise, though
I am a hunted refugee, and know not
how many hours of security are left
to me-"
Felicie ran away to her little retreat
as soon as possible, and sat down there
in a perfect bewilderment of mingling
emotions.
Half Mortified at herself for being
capable of this feeling OF joy, quite
frightened at the words she had
spoken, it was long ere a feeling Of
peace and serenity returned to her.
Then it almost seemed her mothers
spirit returned to her and breathed
lpon her a sanity benediction, as in
approval of her course.
1t is true she scarcely dared to think
# her father; she shuddered as she put
side the thought Of his anger and hOr-
or of the betrothaI of a Languedoc to
he humble Jules, a representative OF
ne class the count had looked down
lpon with such aristoeratic scorn-
But her mother had been her guide
nd oracle in life; it was not likely her
entiments should be held less sacred
.ow that death had made her memory
aintly.
This little love episode gave new in
crest and life to their tagging spirits
Sut as the fourth week crept on. the
air began 10 distrust sorr0wfalIy the
likelihood Of Emile's death. or impris-
nment.
Jules grew grave and careworn, feel
lg the responsibility resting upon him
cutely: and his fair companion thoug
he sedulously avoided any express
{ despair, showed plainly By hen
ag cheek and heavy eye the