Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1901-07-10
her hand, to re-assure her own sinking

her hand, to re-assure her own sinking
| heart.
"Ah, dear Helen, what is ibid 1
frightea yoIY anxiously asked the young
girl
What is it--what is it?' uttered the
rest, eagerly.
Angered at her own weakness and want
of self-command, even while she still
shuddered from head to foot, Mademoj-
sell Montauban made some hasty apollo
-, and relapsed into silence again. Won
dering Mt her strange manner, Rose, too,
shrank within herself once more.
And the tempest raved more wildly yet.
Onward pressed the drcnched horses.
over the rough, uneven road, that threat
ened every moment. with Jagged ruts
and scattered stumps and rocks. which
could not be avoided for the darkness. to
oyerturn the carriage 1t jolted fearfully.
The utmost care was insufficient TO guard
against danger. If the rain had not pour
ed SO violently. all would have preferred
walSing the remainder of the distance 20
remaining in the carriage. They proceed
ed slowly and with difficulty.
Helen, the MARQUIS said. kind.
thiDk we are almost al home now. lose.
my poor little darling. you are sadly
alarmed. fear" And he took her little
cold hand in his own. How cold you
arr, Francis, III nd me my cloak. WI j.
is somewhere beside you. That is t.. lie
wrapped it tendefly about her, drawing
the immense and heavy folds closely to-
gether.
But the words wele arrested 1pon her
lips by fearful sound thar drew the
attention of all. Torn by the force of the
tempest from their trunks. the sturdy
limbs Of the ovtrhar sing trees were
thrown with furious force along their
path, striking the carriage, and falling
upon the frightened beasts. who, mad
dened with pain and terror, sprang for
ward, leaping wildly over the obstacles
in their way and dashing the vehicle from
side to side with a violence that every III
slant threatened destruction TO those
within. The reins were torn from the
hands of the paralyzed driver, and drag
ged about the feet OF the terrified ami
mails over whom there was no longer
control. Still the carriage swayed to
and fro, aud death seemed to all the 81
lent, stricken party within at every mo-
ment inevitable. The moment was one
OF awful suspense; but that suspense
was not destined to be prolonged. Sud
denly. in their blind COT rse. the horses
stumbled, the carriage swung on one side
and was dashed to the earth.
"Helen-Rose-my children" called the
voice of the marquis, ARE you hurtT'
There was no answer. The voices OF
IL. a, 10 Francis Ep-
erton alone were heard.
Adele cried the eoun. to his wife,
Il cannot see you; speak to me-tell me
that you are uninjured.
"Ah, my wrist--it is broken, believe.
uttered the countess, in a tone of pain.
But that is nothing; where are those
dear children? II one could but see!'
"Helen-Rose.'' called the marquis
again, in agony. "Ah. for lights"
With the utmost difficulty and danger
as we'll, from their close neignborhood to
the hoofs Of the struggling and kicking
horses, the gentlemen extricated their
companions and themselves from the We
hcle in the darkness. Furi1usly the rain
poured down, drenching them to the skin
in an instant All, however, were found
TO be safe. excepting Mademoiselle aIOn-
tauban and Rose, neither of whom be-
trayed the least sign of consciousness. 1t
was too dark to distinguish their fea-
lures.
A faint sigh breathed from the lips of
Helea Supported by the arm of Lord
Egerton, she endeayored to rise to her
feet An almost inaudible thanksgiving
escaped from him. She was safe. Did
not this woman repent, in that moment.
when her own life was spared, the wick
ed design that she had entertained? No
-raver for a single moment!
Where is RoseY she ased, hoarsely,
and with strange, unnatural voice. y
wild hope darted through her brain. Had
death anticipated her!
Poor child! lying senseless in the arms
of the marquis, no sound reached her
now Alike insensibe TO the pain Of that
hour. or TO the falling rain that saturated
her clothing yet failed to revive her, she
lay there moveless and silent.
Ito be coutinued.l