Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1901-06-26
CHAPTER XVI


There was a talk of the approaching
wedding day. The impotence OF Louis
had urged its being fixed at an early pc
Rod. He asserted tfat delay Of three
months would be cutie sufficient. His
gay and yivacious yet earnest arguments
were half accepted. The marquis was in
clined to favor them. though it was evil
IDENTIFY with sore struggle. 1t was NOT
until now that he had realized the full
depth of his affection for Rose. She had
become very dear to him. Her geatle-
ness and innocence and goodness of heart,
her chiidike loneliness, and more than all,
her likeness TO one beloved in by-gone
years, endeared her to the heart of this
second father He shrunk from speak
ing of the parting, though he could not
deny to Louis the boon so earnestly
sought.
Ii could be seen. by close observer,
that now. while this discussion was going
on. and one and another laying plans
touching the event, Rose herself lid lit
tie, merely giving assent to the various
propositions laid before her, and seeming
to take but passive part in the general
action. There was, too, Mt times. a GER
tain gravity, which might as well have
been called actual sadness. in her de-
meanor and which could not we'll be ac-
counted for. Gradually it became so evil
dent that ii oceasiCued the deepest uu-
easiness in the breast OF Louis. He en-
deavored to draw from her the cause Of
it. She seemed disinclined to acquaint
him with the origin of this unusual mood
"You are ill., dear Rose" he asked.
with lovers solicitude.
II am not i'll, Louis; indeed, you alarm
yourself unnecessarily"
''Then you are unhappy
IL am not exactly unhappy. either
One month Of the three had passed
away.
There are but two months now, Rose"
said the happy young man.
And Rose, even as she received the kiss
her lover gave so fondy. turned away to
sigh He observed ii with increased I'M
easiness.
MY dear uncle" he said to the mar
quis, what can all Rose? am sure she
is not quite happy, though she refuses
to admit ii"
The marquis did not observe the down
cast mood of the young girl for the first
time now. He had watched it since its
commencement, and nedtated seriously
and with deep concern on the subject.
At leng one day he sent for her to come
to him in the library
My dear child he said. Il must know
the reason and the nature Of this gloom
which continually rests upon your spirits.
Ii is, as you must be aware, matter of
| some anxiety 10 me. You do not deny
that, il not precisely unhappy, there is
yet some wish to be granted desire
to be fulfilled, which could restore to you
! your usual serenityF
II will not deny il. monsieur" she re-
! turned, quietly and sadly.
| And you will not tell me what it Is
this wish? Dear Rose. this reserve
! pains me extremely. | am sure you would
/ not wish to cause me u moments dis
/ quiet, aud yet you uneonsciously give me
! the utmost apprehension. You contide
neither in Helen nor Louis; then | en-
/ treat you to be, at least, frank with me.
Is it anything which | can do TO crafty
you my ehildf'
! Indeed, l scarcely think So" answered
Rose; Il DO not think any one here could
! bring me what ! wish. 1t is
Rose, think ] know what you wish.
] have thought Of ii more than once--ot
/ the very subject, doubtless. upon which
you are secretly dwelling ut this moment
| You have not seen your father in a long
time You are about to take most i'm.
! portrait step, and you wish 10 see him
to tell him Of all this. Is it not SOP
The tears quietly escaped from the
young girls downcaSt eyes.
1T is true, monsieur. | wished to see
/ him. could not forget him in my hap
piness-my poor father
And il was very natural dear Rose
that you should not. Neither did for
get him; but l hardly knew where h,
could be found
Il knew that, monsieur" she rcjoined
land it was partly on that account tina
| have been silent all this while.
And the good marquis could easily com
prehcnd the restraint that had also beer
Instrumental in preventing her from Civ
ing utterance TO the wish she had SO lonl
aud sorrowfully cherished. Much as sh,
loved them all, she had shrunk from re
minding them, in their seeming forget
fulness. that while her future was occu
pying them continually. that her father
poor and homeless and forgotten, nigh
be glad to clasp his only child once NOR,
in his arms and breathe fathers bless
ing over her.
They had not quite forgotten it, how
ever; and now that her desire was mad'
known. the marquis and Louis wer,
| equally anxious 30 seek for him. Thong
nothing absolute was knowa coneernin.
his whereabouts, there was some reason
for believing that he had gone to Lyons
and a faint hope of finding him there
Accordingly. the matter was taken int,
consideration.
! 1t was about this time that the Coun