Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1901-06-19
| The Contrabandist;; : #$ ):
| THE
| One Life's Secret! , ,S K

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ed her, until recollection came.
Here, indeed, was no sturdy figure. in
its linen blouse, its heavy boots, no large
hat, such as had covered the gardeners
head, and shaded his face from the sun;
no peasants garb, or peasants air; and
yeti was Robin!
why does he not speak," said the
young girl, tremblingly to herself.
But suddenly the gentleman raised his
hand, passed 1t across his brow, and held
it there fer an instant; then, laying aside
the writing materials which he held,
turned and advanced to meet her.
A low, glad cry escaped the lips Of
Rose on beholding that face-Robin's
face, and then she was slent-she turn
ed pale. What was this change which
she beheld as he came nearer? what coun-
tenance was it? Did she indeed behold
Robin himself, Or The cloak dropped
from his shoulders.
'Robin-Louis she uttered. quivering
with emotion.
well, which is itT With the same
light, beaming, sunshiny smile that she
had met every day for the last two weeks
with the familiar voice and air that
blended in one two characters hitherto
distinct. he came forward and taxing her
hands into the gentle yet firm clasp Of
his own, while he drew her TO mis- breast,
repeated; (which is it, Rose? Doubling
and believing, too? Tell me my name,
mignonne@
"Ah. Louis-Louis, tell me what this
means?" she cried, in an imploring tone.
Then you declare that / am LouisT'
he said, laughingy; ''bnt see-see how au-
dacious he has grown!' And the young
man, with daring tenderness. pressed his
lips to hers. Which is it now, RoseY
1T is-Robin-it is Louis: either. and
both. cannot tell. am bewildered"
She covered her face with her hands.
MY Rose-my little. faithful, noble
hearted darling" Louis murmured. low
ingly, and with the softest emotion in his
tones, as he led her to a seat. My gen
erous--brave Rose, will you forgive this
long and heavy trial? You have conquer
ed-nobly conquered! You are victorious,
love. Look up and speak to me. Let me
see. at least. that Louis has not lost the
heart that Robin won"
She did look up. The sweet face, tinged
with reddest bushes, spanked with blend
ed tears and smiles.
"You deceived me. Louis. see it now;
understand it all. But you deceived
me most cruellyr' she said.
"And almost broke my own heart,
Rose, as we'll as your own. All. II you
new how suffered last night, you would
forgive met
And Rose could but do so. The period
Of probation was passed. The unhappi-
ness to which each had been subjected,
in its duration. was terminated now.
Louis d'Artois had perfected his scheme
and tested ii fully, to mis- own satisfac-
ton. The outward charms Of the woman
he loved were nobly equalled by her
truth her firmness. her constancy Meth
err ambition, nor pride. NOR cupidity, had
tempted her, for one instant, to swerve
from her faith. She had remained true
to the humble lover who had won her
frst affection.
Rose, do you love me? will you take
Louis now" asked the count, with arch
tenderness.
How can take Louis? | am prom
Used 10 Robin" returned she. gravely. 81
came here to meet Robin: he has vanish.
ed and you are answerable for his disap-
pearance I refused Louis last night"
Nay. then--I will become a gardener
again, for your sake. love, / win put on
my peasants dress once more and take
my spade. and toll in the garden from
morning till night; while you sit. as you
used to sit. just by the cottage door and
sing to me while you sew. What pref.
ty cottage girl you were, Rose! believe
/ loved you the first time we met"
and | thought
"Ah. what, Rose?"
'1'hat you loved Helen" she answered,
blushng.
Helen, thou little mouse, what PUT
that thought into thy pretty head?"
1T came there, Louis; l do not know
| we'll how. suspect the idea was very
natural one. She is so beautiful
My pet, Helen must never hear you
acknowledge that little piece Of innocent
! andacity Helen? All. she would smile
With amusement at the mere mention of
such a thing She would not marry me,
Rose. | do like her very dearly. She
! likes me, also, quite as well. | believe;
| but | should as soon contemplate an alli-
anee with a queen as with her"
You make me smile. Louis. How mod
est you are. Iou mean to say that
! Helen
/ Il mean TO say. Rose, that my proud
| and lovely cousin will be content to re-
main unwedded all her days rather than
! we'd with so humble a parsonage as my
| self She is a dear cousin. Rose; but
| think that, secretly, she is ambitious
Francis Egerton loves her. | am sure
/ but do you not see that she treats him
! coldly?"
Il thought it was So said Rose. in a
! half-musing tone.
And. speaking Of that same Franci:
Egerton, do you know, Rose, that | cam,
near being jealous Of him on the frs
evening of my return hither? lie wa:
continually near you. He seemed chain
Cd to your side"
And you to that Of Helen. do you re
memher?" archly asked Rose. "Prohabl.
the latter circumstance was the cause o
the former"
He laughed.
Perhaps but think, II he had neve
seen Helen, he would have been yol
captive, How would you have treate
him, petite?-as you treated me las
night?"
YES"
Il helie5e it. How fortunate he is
endured agony last evening, Rose.
His tone was sad as he said it.
Agony, LouiS3"
LEST | should gain the very boon
seemed SO earnestly to crave. But 20
were :rue 10 Robin. | was more tina
satisfied with the result of my trial. An