Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1901-07-03
/ The Conirabandlst; : E$:s
4 One Life'S Secret! , ,S ::



some place in this wilderness of strue-
lures, consulting, at the same time.
card which he held in his hand. How
eagerly she bent forward He crossed
looked up--met her glance. Yes-it was
Hugh Lamonte. But how changed! He
disappeared in the entrance beneath. She
sprang TO unclose the door OF the apart
ment. familiar step was just without;
it paused, and as the door opened. Rose
beheld him before her.
My dear father" she said, joyfully,
as he clasped her silently in his arms.
you are glad to see me, then, mig
nonne?"
Obadiah. yes. have waited till /
was ready to cry, papa"
Holding him still by the hand, she led
him in. Rose saw, now, though she would
not seem to remark it, the reason of his
altered appearance, which had at first
prevented her from recognizing him. For
now, instead of the coarse and humble
garb ordinary with him, he was clothed
in the attire Of a gentleman, in garments
of a fine yet plain material, suiting well
with the undeniably noble and striking
form and natural grace of the wearer.
The profusion Of hair, formerly roughen-
ing and Disgusting his features, had been
partially removed, and the effect was
no less agreeable than astonishing. No
wonder that Rose had scarcely known
him. You would not have guessed that
this man had ever hewn wood In the
forest, and dwelt, a peasant laborer, in
a peasants hut. But Hugh, for reasons
of his own, had chosen to cast off the
III I'm, f,f, hn hoI
ed, in this visit to Rose. Perhaps lie
had endeavored, by this change, to pre-
vent Rose from being obliged to contrast,
with feelings Of pain. his appar Mt pow
erty with the luxury of he position. As
it was, she wondered su~ " at the
change. yet, much as she desired to In
quire into his circumstances, a feeling
of restraint, or delicac'. prevented her
at first.
"ney ST there eonvcrsing for upward
OF an hour, during Thich she informed
him OF all that mad lately taken place
with regard to herself; OF the discovery
made touching the romance in which
Louis and herself had been concerned,
and of her approaching marriage with
him. Hugh listened her story, smiled
al the romantic part Of it, and was grave
again.
Il knew, Rose" he said, who Robin
was"
You knew, papaT
yes. But | saw that the count was
honorable and sincere in his affection for
you, and permitted him TO think his dis
guise safe. | would not have allowed
you to marry a peasant. Rose
Father, why notY'
You will know one day, my child"
She looked perplexed moment then
CHANGING up into her fathers face. said:
You heard Of my imprisonment in the
cavern. fatherg'
Yes. Jacques told me. All, my child.
how happy / am that you escaped. What
do we not owe TO the count and to our
faithful Jacques?'
What, indeed?" echoed Rose warmly
But" she resumed, ''Gasparde was
killed, papa"
Il knew of that, also. The wretch will
meet just account
HE said he was not my cousin. How
was that, papaY'
He told the truth He was no rela-
ton OF yours; only | had known him
since he was an innocent, or, at least, an
notwithstanding boy, when you first saw
him in your infancy, and then. you know.
| babe you call each other cousin after
wards"
But how wicked he was-a brigand
chief! All. il we had known it. papa,
how much more dreadful he would have
seemed! We should never have dared to
have him come into the cottage"
With abruptness Hugh urned the con-
versation. 1t touched himself and his
affairs. Rose found that he was living
in quiet retirement in the old city of Ly-
ons.
And ! am not poor, Rose. do not let
that trouble you. for | know you will
think of it," he said. Il am not poor
have enough to support ME to the end T.
my days in comfort and plenty.
oh father ! am so gladr' she return
cd, her eyes filing with tears. II am so
glad! You do not know how bitter has
been the thought. sometimes. that | was
about to marry a wealthy and titled man.
and leave you, perhaps, in poverty and
want. | have a thousand tirpes felt that
| was committing a in-that | would
rather come back 20 you and share your
lot. humble as il was, than we'd in spl,n
DO" and magnifcencG and leave you"
Think no longer, then, Of such things"
said her father, grayely. Take the hap
piness which is offered you. and in which
/. also shall he happy. should be i'll az
ease, my child, IL you We're TO descend to
your former rude station again. Think
Of me always, Rose, as in good crcum-
stances: do not compare your station and
mine. and make yourself unhappy be-
cause | do not share the advantages you
enjoy. do not want them Rose.
should Spurn themw He spoke eXcitedly,
and then, pressing his hard to his brow.
sighed deeply. Then ne continued: Il be-
heve You will be happy with the count.
your future husband How soon are you
to he marriedf'
In tive or three months, papa" an
| swered Rose, slightly blushing.
Let me congratulate you now upon
| the approaching event. IL that be the
| ease: for l shall rot see you again proba-
! bly, for some ti'Ae."
All, why is that. papay' said the
| young girl. anXiously.
Il have business TO which | n,ast at
tend, and which will occupy me closely
| for some months"
And you will not even come 10 my
| weddingE" Her tone was low and sor-
/ rowful
Il may not. dear child. But shall
pray for your happiness. One day.
shall come 10 book upon the old place
Tin then, my home is in Lyons. Aid
now. | must bid you adicu'' And hS
rose.
Dear father. why will you 60 SO soon
NHrNu