Condon globe. (Condon, Gilliam Co., Or.) 189?-1919, 1899-04-27
GABRIELLE OF
THE FENS.

TNHE shades of evening were Just
falling ON the little hamlet OF bi-
- varre. The trees Just touched by
the parting rays OF the setting sun
dipped their branches little lower IN
the breeze as IL to catch what glory was
left OF the former radiance of the heav-
ems above and rustled their leaves III
defiance Of the coming black cloud OF
night.
Underneath one Of them stood a man
whose face seemed to have borrowed
some OF the heaviness from the even
Ing clouds He was leaning desl'ond-
entity against the bark with his eye
glued upon the door of tiny cottage,
which stood out clearly from the others
by reason of Its newly whitewashed
walls. Every now and then he turned
away with long-drawn sigh and re-
ceded step or two. only to return once
more and center his gaze upon the little
mean dwelling house.
Suddenly his eye frightened up as II
by magic, his breath came In short,
quick gasps, and he took step hastily
forward as the door OF the cottage slow
ly opened and the form of a young and
beautiful girl appeared In the entrance.
Gabrielle" he whispered eagerly.
The girl started back with startled
cry.
You, again. she exclaimed as the
light from the cottage fell upon his
eager upturned face. "Will you still
continue to poster me with your pres
ence, MONSIEUR
This -and to me-" stammered the
man in pained surprise. Have you
forgotten so soon the promise you made
to me, Gabrielle, that day when you
said you loved meT'
Il always forget things that are best
forgotten" said the girl carelessly.
"'Twas but moments foolishness,
why remember itf"
"Ay. but you shall remember It, said
the man, stung to sudden fierceness.
do you think. girl, you can play with
a heart like mine, and with the river so
near at hand, tool"
| The girl tossed her head eontemptu-
ously, and laughed with much derisIon.
And do you think to frighten meT
she said lightly. II have heard such
threats before. Only last week Jean
of the Brachen yonder swore to blow
out his brains for my sake, and In truth
| fear he has not found them yet, for
to my knowledge he Is still whole
headed. But there, will cease TO tell
you of my foolish tales, for l mean to
settle down and live quietly as becomes
q maid betrothed.r
"Betrothed," echoed the man In sud-
den alarm. cit Is not true, tell me at
once, Gabrieller'
"It is true" said the girl doggedly.
"Then may heaven help you both,"
said the man, and drawing his cloak
round him he strobe away into the
night muttering to himself 80 fercely
that the girl shuddered in spite Of her
professions Of Indifference to his
threats. and altering her mind about
her evening ramble, turned once more
into the house and carefully bolted and
barred the door.
i 1t was strange thing that girl so
young and charming as Gabrielle
should live so entirely alone. Relations
she had none, and friends of her own
sex were few and not over sincere.
Lovers she had plenty, but they proved
but source of annoyance to her and
lquarreled constantly among themselves
when they should have sympathIzed,
for she treated them all with like
coquetry and Indifference.
II Gabrielle OF the Fens she was called,
for nothing she loved better than to
spend her time barefooted among the
swampy banks of the riverside, seek
ing for new treasures that were to be
found and reyeling In all the Joys of
nature.
On this particular night nature had
little charms for her, she peeped from
the blinds of her little window and
turned away with forebodlng In her
heart of something she knew not what.
Time dragged heavily that night, and
at last wearied out In both mind and
body she threw herself upon her bed
dressed as she was, and slept heavily.
She was awakened the next morning
with sense Of acute coldness, and sit
ting up In bed, shiveriDg, she dIscoy-
cred that the floor was covered with
water. Half asleep she wondered
vaguely what had happened. Then her
! full senses came back to her A wild
fear rose to her mind, and was con-
! firmed by the sight that met her view
when she sprang to the window.
A wonderful sight, indeed, one great
expanse of water for miles around,
, from out Of which the tree tops and
the roofs Of the houses appeared at
intervals to break the torrent OF Its
rush. Branches Of trees and other OBJ
9 stacles came floating by. but not hui
Q man being was In sight. GabrleIle's
first thought was that every soul had
been drowned, and the next was that
. everybody had managed to get away
and had deserted her. A sob Of self.
. lpity rose to her throat and she wrung
! her hands In ag0nizing despair.
Louis! Louis!" she cried helplessly,
calling upon the despised lover Of the
: night before In her hour Of terror.
"Who calls Louis?" came voice
from the water, "surely not Mistress
Gabrielle" and looking round the gIrl
saw the very person whose name she
had called upon, sitting comfortably
: In his canoe and staying the motion Of
/ the boat with hand upon the adjacent
window-sill.
az nniaH, said the girl a0ain dellphf