Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1901-04-17
Chapter Iv.-tContinued.y

was antinuing her way when a shadow
Esis across the sunlit path. and startled
Aer. Raising her head, she beheld hei
nssssln Gasparde.
Good morning, Mademoiselie Rose,
Ae gaid
Garelessly and briefly she returned his
sAlatation, and was hurrying on TO es
cape from his unwelcome presence. when
Ne lard his hand on her arm.
Stop moment, Cousin Rose; | want
a. ask YOU a question. | came over TO
sise cottage moment ago, and found
Es@aher you1 father nor yourself at home.
4 wanted TO see him on business.
ea.ght sight of you coming along the road
Acre. and so hurried on to overtake you
90 ask you where he il"
He is at the house Of neighbor An
assse, | believe" answered Rose. coidly;
at seast, he said he was going there. But
IA Ene go, if you ph sc, Gasparde, and
ssse slipped her arm away from his hand,
Saose lightest touch was disagreeable
% seT-"let me go; am in great hurTF
zm going to the chateau.
20, are your he said, coidly; then !
VIA accompany you as far as ncigrbor
Assognes, where ! may meet Your faith
81. One always likes company on 50
sssze4y road as this"
NE walked on by her side. whistling
sssRe gay air from time to time; but he
ass not speak again for a long while
&see was in dread lest the subject of dis
rzssion which had arisen between them
ssae Right before should be renewed. But
hR kept on, whistling and meditating by
azrss, without recurring - 4; aud hop.
assgs IS they went on. that he did not
Beean to trouble her with it again. she
sssgan to feel somewhat relieved.
Ae length, however, he stopped whist
SsNg and glanced down at his compan-
ssra's face.
--fhey say the Count d'Artois has ar
sired at the chateau" he remarked.
Rose was silent, though she saw some
ssSSsoder was expected
Il suppose there will be gay doings
s2-se now" he went on, seeing that she
lid not mean to speak: for the count
Is 81 gay man, and not very good one,
~SaAes," he added. maliciously, though
Ae Enew nothing whatever of the counts
sasaTacter People tell that he is a
EFrnt spendthrift"
kes Rose was silent. though her cheeks
grew hotter. Ii was nothing to her what
character the gentleman might bear;
ssa was she not almost an utter stranger
To Aim? Bot she had seen him, and con
nesved good opinion OF him, aud she
Sss ashamed ard indignant at Gas
esF1fe's mischiev1us. iIl-natured remarks.
Report says, too" continued Gas
sRgcie. that 10 Is about TO marry his
as2utifnl cousin, Mademoiselle Helen.
Ehe contract was mate years ago What
IN you think o. all that. Cousin Roser'
Esr be was deteuejned, by q direct ques-
siszs. 10 make her speak 10 him.
81 think you are very wicked and very
sassagreeable." she answered plainly, I'm
ssss8sag other peoples characters to
ssr1es, and a gossip who NEEDLES with
sfAsr peoples affairs. Fie on rou, Gas
pKsues | am ashamed OF you and she
AEsrietl on
Hard words-~hard words, Mademoi-
sasAs. ;" said Gasparde, speaking in a care
sEs<S toat, and biting his lips to conceal
ne yexation caused by her sharp reproof;
+1hRt coming from such pretty lips, | new
ET esald take them for earnest In the
We~id DO you know. Cousin Rose,
save heard it said that woman ever
5grsts worst the man she hest likes 50
tske your hard handling for SO many
sgnrlimeats, and feel quite battered by
Gbeu'
R0se grew little paier; but she Meth
~ Hooked at nor answered him. And still
sae hurried on, glad that she was SO near
sasr end OF her walk, for she had almost
.rzMched the ascent 70 the chateau.
well cousin said Gasparde. Il nope
gwu naye thought better Of the offer
watch i made to yon last night"
%ANo, nor ever shall, she answered res.
HazteIy. though with slight tremulons-
HsSs of tone.
That is a great pity; for am rcsolv-
~ 30 have YOU. at all events. my dear.
;sn you need not be shy And now.
saerc is another question STILL Rose I
suppose you haven't seen this rascauy
sszng count Of whom we have been
ssaakingT'
There was sneer in his tone His
rSFs glance, in sidclong direction scln-
az-i the young girls counteaaace.
-. you won't tell. ehT' lac said. II
Ssspose If / should ask closer question,
might get you so talk Was he at the
rskface last night. or this morning.
- will not tell yon." she uttered. from
sfsag in every limb with fear and indig-
ASTON And she attempted TO spring M
aAe path: but he seized her hand and
prevented her.
Not SO fast, my dear. I must keep
pass little longer, Listen. now l
ksrsw he was there. although yon have
A7xn very careful not to ted me: for the
srseks OF a horses feet and gentle
aase's boots are in the soil outside the
sasser belonging to the count. am pref
IA Rare. h-cN his measure. But he
wsa't come there again mind that, Now,
Sy pretty cousin. ycu may give NE a
SxsA"
~Gasparde LET me 60" she cried in
"a. you wont give me one. will you?
Hzy. then, L must take il,
~Alast YOU? There are tsyo words to
;sssas bargain. my maui"
a. was a light form that sprang out Of
IKE thicket by the waysle: a resnlute
azsec that uttered these words; grace
Fss arm with iron force that laid the ras-
avs, at one stroke. PROSTATE on the earth.
Aad Gasparde, lying at the feet OF his
szssailaut was almost insane with rage.
Ms mad seen that form. heard that voice,
stsA the weight Of THAI arm, TO his cost
sHssTe
And Count Louis stood there quietly.
- Gasparde rose again To his feet shall-
49, his cleuched hand with muttered
Eaasaces. and seemingly inclined to re-
iRru the attack
GoIne YOU want some more. my fine
sestew, | think, said the gentleman. IF
KAT is the case | can finish Won as well