Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1901-07-24
CHATTER XXI.

apartment yet so disposed as to leave IN
shadow the curtained couch and its stun
be@ing occupant. For Rose was sleeping
ra!nily SO calmly, so quietly, that You
might almost have thought her dead. inc
breath that 1oated from those pale lips
was scarcely perceptible, though regular
30 much had illness reduced her strength.
She slept. nor dreamed of danger.
For the first time to-day the Invalid
was left alone. But suddenly the door
ne;r the head Of the couch was opened
noiselessly, and with slow and stealthy
caution. from without. A tall, hght
ROBBED ghost-like form gided in without
Il sound-g host-like, except for the large
brilliant dark eyes that cleaned more
wildly than ever tonight, and the GRIM
son spot of excitement burning on either
cheek, while all the rest Of that face was
ashy white 1t was Helen Montauban
What more fitting time was there for her
work Of evil to be accomplished None
could witness her now none were near
this place. And the tiny flask Cleaned
in the softencd light, az she drew 1t from
her BOSOM
One hand. holding the vial, was stretch
ed forth 90 the silver cup set upon me
stand by the bedside, Courage. and the
work is done Yet that guilty hand shook
with fear as, drop by drop, the poison
WAS poured into the cup. And Helen
Montauban glanced fearfully towards the
door b: which she had entered: for 1t al
most seemed, to her miserable, horror
sirack fancy, that some one must be
watching her.
\ shadow had startled her With
CHASTITY smile at her own nervousness. she
silently mingled the poison with the night
drink of Rose: then, IS noiseessly as she
had entered, returned TO her own room
across the gallery. II was done! What
had she to fear now? Who would ever
dream, when the hour Of death came,
that such agency as this had been en-
ployed: Closing the door, she paced her
chamber rcstlessly, with both hands
.clasped tightly against her heart. whose
violent throbbings seemed to fill with
clamor0us sound this awful midnight 81
ience. Listening N almost intolerable
suspense. and pacing her apartment, she
waited for some signal from the opposite
chamber.
whole hour passed. Then there was
n sounI-a light step-in the gallery 1t
was the Countess de Clairyille. reta-.i-
ing to the bedside Of Rose. Helen Mon
tauhan coHld endure this suspense 40
longer She must see, with her own eyes,
the conclusion Of this tragedy. Gmerg
ing from her apartment. therefore. she
Joined the countess, as she entered the
opposite door
All. my dear, is that you2 Then you
have been asleep ALSO" said TIE countess,
a ..las IN
do you not thiaE so?''
Yes II . cold, uttered Helen Mon
taupan. hoarsely-"it is cold and she
shiyersd
She drew near the FIRE and crouched
shudderipgly over the broad blaze. The
Countess de Clairville went to the couch
Of Rose and bent over it for an instant.
The dear child is asleep, think" she
said. presently, returning to the hearth
How refreshing delightful it is for
one 10 see her once more enjoying so gem
tic slmberi Poor little Rose. she must
he well nigh worn ont with this fatigg
ing Illness. | wonder the lady eontin-
ned seating herself by the hearth, oppo-
site Mademoiselle Montauban-"I won
der how her father is down at the vii
lage? They thought he was dying this
morning when the marquis went down.
What a sad thing it would have been II
The father and daughter had both died.'
She spoke in subdued whispers.
Mademoselie Montauban bent lower
over the blaze, warming her hands.
And peculiar, too. she returned, in
a law tone. But we cannot be too care
ful OF her. even now: for NJ. Merry says
that, in her present feeble state, tile least
excitement or alarm might be fatal to
her. | dread that. think. suppose any
thing should happen. after all our re
joitingf We must be so cautious, The
least thing, you know-the least thing
might Kill her"
She shook rs she uttered these words
her eyes were wild aud strange. Those
delicate, slender hands touched the
flames, as She held them out, but she
uever knew it. A species Of insanity was
upon her. The orotractcd contemplation
Of this terrible decd, strong as We're her
nerves, had begun almost to tell upon
her reason
Il wonder if Hugh Lamonte is still iy-
ing" continued the countess. Ii is a
pity that lac could not be brought here,
hat Jean Morel snid they had declared
=.
Besides. it would be dangerous to Rose.
perhaps il he were in her vicinity, for
she would be niorc likely To gain some
know edge OF his situation. Yet what a
sorr, wful thing it is that they cannot bid
an n other a6ieus'
Al that moment he door near the head
4,f tEc couch was opened Both the coun-
tess and Helen turned 10 . Who en-
tered 1t was the physician VI. Merry.
He paused 10y the bedside an instant. bent
over Rose aud listened Her respiration
was calm and regular, though aInloSt i'm
perccptible. After regarding her q mo-
ment hc advanced silently towards the
hearth. \ chill struck through the guilty
Helen She had not expected him ST
soon. and the deed was yet nnaccomplish
ed.
All, NJ. Merry. is that your said the
countess. aud she bent eagerly forward
How is
The physician placed warning hngei
upon his lip.
Not too loud. my dear MADAME h,
whispered. ut is all over
An how sad The tears came intc
her eyes
NJ. Merry sat down. leaning his head
npon his hand. He was very grave TO
night Softly spoke scarcely audible
voiee from the couch The countess ros,
sud went thither.
'You are awake. my dcart' she said
gently All. you have slept SEA nicely
And now. you are thirsty. Wait mo
incnt dear Rose"