Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1901-04-10
|. The COntrabandiSt;;
One Life'S Secret!
CHATTER IIr.--Ccontinued.l


ii was unfastened from within, and pref
ty Rose Lamonte opened it wide, utter
ing joyful exclamation as she met the
ncwcon err
Dear fatherr' she cried, glaG' Thy
did you not come bef0ref | wa, begin
Ming to be alarmed" And she threw her
arms about his neck.
Take care, he said, kissing her gent
ly; ''you will get wet; my clothes are
none of tn dryest. / came home as soon
az l could, for the rain
"Poo; papa. yes-you are quite wet.
1t is a pity" And with her hand in his,
she was drawing him in, when her glance
fell, for the first time. on the figure of
the man behind him. She half started,
and a slight frown was visible upon her
pretty face, but she quickly dispelled it.
and nodding carelessly, said: Good
evening, Gasparde.'
The man closed the door, and then fol-
lowing tsem. seated himself on a wooden
bench by the hearth. wbile Hugh La
monte, putting off his heavy hobnaiied
shoes, took them 10 his hand. and cross
ed the Kitchen floor carefully, saying,
with slight gesture, to Gasparde, as he
passed through the door on the other side
of the apartment: wait awhile, Gas
pardc-wait awhile, and | will be with
You again.
Rose put away her wheel, swept up
few dead ashes lying on the hearth, and
then busted herself about her fathers
supper, without once speaking to or in
any way noticing the guest, He. how
ever, eyed her from time 20 time, as she
moved about the room, with a glance
which she evidently felt, rather than saw.
TO he fixed upon her, and which she as
apparently studied to avoid After some
ten minutes Of utter silence, finding that
she was determined not to speak. he
opened the conversation 81 his owa Ts-
sponsbihty
well, Rose, you are silent tonight.
You are i'll, perhapsY'
mol am not i'll. she answered, cold
Is.
you are not glad. then. to see me?'' he
continued.
Il did not say so. she replied without
looking at hiI1.
You will say nothing, Rose, that is
pleasant and kind Come, you might give
me a friendly word when | Eeye walked
such long way tonight"
Il did not give you the trouble. if it
is trouble"
Il came partly for the sake of being
company to your father-that he can tell
you" said Gasparde.
The pretty lip of Rose slightly curied
Her father need eompauy!-a stout. bold,
sturdy peasant, who was afraid Of moth
ing human, and who, she very well
knew, passed through the forest every
time he went to market and often re,
turned after nightfalI. Il o. "A probable
story thought the young girl He only
says it for the sake of appearing amia-
BILE
And So" she said, aloud. CHANGING, at
the same time, at the strange adorn-
ments which he wore ut his waist-"and
SO, as my father was not able to take
care of himself" She paused a mo-
ment He had not seen the quick glance
which she east at his belt as she spoke,
aud standing an instant with her eyes
fixed on his face. in silence, she sudden
ly said: What are your pistols fory'
He started, and put his hand to them.
remembering with CONSERVATION that he
had forgotten TO conceal them before en-
tering. Recovering himself, however, he
answered, putting ON a careless look:
20. these are arms that | brought on
purpose tonight; for you know Il is a
much later hour than the one at whicl
your father usually returns. and they
would be good for both Of us to have. as
we were coming through the forest, in
case OF danger"
Rose gave a shrug. too slight for him
TO notice. AS she did not once attempt
to break the pause which he allowed to
follow his words, by Offering him the
least encouragement TO proceed, he mus
tered audacity without
Il have been thinking for a long time.
he went on, that IL is very lonely Twin.
without a wife. and as | am an honest
fellow, likely to make my way In the
world, though, perhaps. am not % hand
some Il man as q pretty maiden might
choose, yet know, cousin. that you are
too sensible n girl TO refuse a good hus-
baud on that account, and will, perhaps.
think reasonably Of the affair. VIII you
marry me, Rose?'
mo, Gaspardc, ] viii not" she replied;
'and | wonder you ever presumed to
think of such a thing"
20, you are TESTING. cousn--you are
jesting. sareiy." he said: do bus cons!d-
er the matter. Como. | viii make you a
good husband, as said before though
think it hardly ought to be repeated"
Hardly, indeed she returned. slight
insly, twisting his last words 10 suit her
own fancy. ''But Tor all that. Gaspar,lc.
never will marry you. aud you need not
ask me again
And. quite wcaried with his pertinacity
indeed, with the very sound of his
xa5ra-ehe wont o4F AMI abp, baH.afs -,