Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1901-04-03
CHAPTER III.

below, where small village looked more
like the miniature group of dolls houses
which children play with than the ordi-
nary habitations of ordinary men, while
the stream that woCnd its way along at
the foot of the hills was nothing more
than a mere thread of silver.
On the night of the attack on Count
Louis there Were two persons seated in
the library of this chateau; the one
lady, with beautiful and somewhat strik-
ing features. tall and graceful figure,
and bearing mt once naughty and capti-
waiting. Mademoiselle Montauban was
a person of strong feelings, of deep en-
ergy, OF quick yet firm resolves, and de-
elded action. She was pleasing to all;
YET with the very grace and noble beauty
which captivated one. there was an air.
an expression of yelled haughtiDess, Of
lofty pride. of insinuating command. All
the world admired mademoselle, but few
loved her.
Her father, monsieur lie marquis. on the
other hand. was an extremely affable,
polite and agreeable gentleman. He was
universally kind and good to the peasant
~ around the country, and there was
no poor people who did not have cause to
thank him for many an act of generosity.
He had been married twice; to a beauti-
full Frenchwoman. after the death Of La
Marquise Giudette, and this wife died
also. He mourned her loss long and sim
cerely; for they say he loved her even
better than he lived Giudette, who was
very violent and passionate. There was
one child-a lovely, sunny-haired child,
with features like her fair mothers, and
h VIZ NV
marriage. But he has only Helen to com.
fort his approaching old age now: and
there is a large portrait in the saloon
the portrait of smiling infant, painted
nearly sixteen years ago. which he looks
at and sigh.
The father and daughter sat in the IL
brary; he by large table in the center
of the apartment, reading, as was his
custom in the evenings; she had drawn
her seat forward near one of the deep
windows overlooking the valley, and the
road by which Louis was expected to
come. Both We're awaiting his arrival,
but it was with far different degrees of
feeling. The marquis, indeed, looked for
ward with pleasure to the meeting with
his nephew, whom he had not received at
the chateau for some years; but yet his
anticipation was moderated by calmnesS.
for he no longer possessed the hurry and
impotence of youth. With Helen Mon
tauban it was not thus. Deeper feelings
than were warranted by that calm and
naughty exterior were busy in her heart.
Father" and he! voice is calm and
silvery as usual, despite the beating of
her heart, that throbs more violently ev-
cry father, it is already quite
late. Ny cousin, Monsieur Louis, must
surely remember that he may possibly ex-
pose himself to some danger by travers-
ing the lonely roads in this neighborhood
by night"
The marquis closed his book. hose from
his seat and approached the window.
Yes: you are right-you are right,
Helen" he returned; but | hardly think
he will be so rash as TO undertake to
reach the chateau tonight with that ter
rible storm gathering. AS to the danger
from brigands, however, do not fear;
for, without doubt. he will have his valet
with HIM and he will have also his weap-
ons. And you must consider. Helen, that
our young relative has both strength of
limb and skill in arms. that might well
warrant him in setting at defiance good
~ number of besiegers."
''Yes-I know, father. And there are
none more brave than Louis" A proud
smile shone in her splendid eyes as she
spoke, and then she sank back ia her seat
again, ana royed With her fan, while the
marquis placed himself by her side, and
also watched for some sign of his nephew.
But tie night deepened, and still Louis
did not come, while the storm which had
been threatening, ere long broke over
.ne chateau, and ragged with terrible fury.
Il do not think we shall see him to-
night, Helen said her father, as the old
clock in the hall sounded on eleven; land
it grows late my child. Perhaps you had
better retire"
And Helen Montauban would not be-
tray her anxiety and restlessness, even
TO her father; so she obeyed his sugges-
ton shortly. She did not seek her couch
however. but, after having dismissed her
maid for the night. she wrapped a rich
shawl carelessly about her stately firure,
and cast herself upon pile of cushions
beneath window which commanded
view of the valley beneath, and the Eight
within being shaded. drew the curtain
from the easement, and leaned forward
upon the sill. with her anxious glance
piercing the gloom for some glimpse of
the yet expected guest.
Still the moments crept on. and the
hour OF midnight sounded sternly on the
now silent air. Her heart beat violently;
she trembled. "IIe said he should come"
she murmured; why. then. this delay?
for Louis never yet broke his word. He
NAV have been murdered" and she
buried her face in her trembling hands.
Louis had been her playmate for weeks
together in childhood. when she had been
permitted to visit his family in Lyons,
and she had never been SO happy as dur
ing those periods. They were the crown
and glory of her sleeping and waking
dreams. She was never so happy when
she returned to the old. lonely chateau.
as in recounting the wonderful stories oe
those happy times. and anticipating her
next visit. He was fine, handsome,
graceful and Independent boy, ard she
thought there could be nobody in the
world like her cousin Louis. His firm,
proud. gallant bearing and manly spirit,
his noble intellect and his fine, thought
full countenance, with the innocent en-
thasiasm of his boyish years, had always
exalted him in her esteem. She had
learned to look upon him with the deep
est reverence of her nature. and TO al
most adore in him those qualities of heart
and mind which. she observed with dis
dain, few others possessed.
lie had never visited the chateau more
than twice, and those visits had been
white stones in her life. She had remem-
bered and reealled them constantly in the