Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1901-05-01

1 goo5 care, however, to avoid every place
| wherein d foe might lie concealed.
| Some careless inquiries which he made
Of Rose and her father. assured him that.
even if Gasparde were in the neighbor-
hood, they were unconscious Of it. He
resolved to set a watch, however, to as
certain the amount OF correctness in his
suspicious.
One day, very shortly after the occur
repces above recorded, Louis received let
tiers from Lyons which seemed to inter
est him very deeply. Business of some
Importance, he announced, obliged him to
leave the chateau sooner than he had in
tended. The good marquis expressed the
utmost concern aud regret at hearing
this.
why. my dear Louis" said he, 81
counted on keeping you for months yet.
Why will You go? Surely you can sub
nit to your agent, or ayoeet, all affairs
of business for the present"
MY dear uncle, the case is impera-
tive, answered the count.
"Then, as soon as this affair is trans
acted, you win return TO US? | will hear
of no refusal"
Il promise you. monsieur, l will re-
turn"
Helen Montauban had waited silently
for the decision. She made no attempt to
urge Louis to prolong his stay. She did
not even express a regret at the an
nouneement Of his intended departure on
the following day; but a closer observer
might have seen the emotion which she
felt And she received the parting kiss
of her handsome cousin with a smile.
MY dear Helen" he said, frankly, TAX
ing her hands in his. tell me that yOu
are sorry to bid me adicu, or | shall not
believe it"
II do regret your departure, Louis" she
| answered. in a low. clear tone: but why
should | display it? You say your bust
ness is imperative. and | would not detain
you. Besides, you are to return"
"Yes-I shall return" he echoed.
"Adieu, sweet cousin!"
Louis" said the marquis, as he ac
companied his nephew to the gatt. OF the
court, you must mind and cons back
as soon as possible. If the plan which
mentioned the other day succpods Rose
| viii be an inmate Of the chateau before
winter Poor little Rose. one cannot but
wish to see her in such circumstances as
seem more befitting her. Helen needs
friend and companion, too aud both
will be benefited. If Hugh Lamonte win
consent to part with her. she shall cone.
The first thing that put this plan into my
| thoughts was the prosecutions Of that fol
| low Gasparde. | wished to remove her
I from his way. To be sure, he is not here
| at present, but then there is no knowing
| how soon he may return. | shall talk
with Hugh-~l shall talk with him; and
/ Helen will use her influence, too, know
for she likes Rose So when you return.
you may, perhaps, find another cousin,
Louis"
.'Yoar plan is an excellent enc. my dear
! uncle" returned the young man, and
| | wish you all success, Depend upon it.
! the endeavors which you and my cousin
make. for the ben fit of Rose. win not be
/ thrown away"
The gate Of the coart closed the guest
| was gone.
| Slowly rode master and man down the
| valley to the little inn by tne roadside,
| and here Louis dismounted. Immediate
I Is, as he did so. there came from an
! inner room a young man. who. appearing
/ ut the door, made respectful obeisance
to Louis. saying:
"Ah! monsieur; you see am pune
| tuai"
Good" answered the count. How
/ long have you been hcret"
! "Fhree hours fully, / think"
| That is well. | see you do not forget
| your masters habits. But come; we must
| have q room in private for "A little while.
| Francoisr' TO his valet. get down and
wait awhile. | wish to transact some pr.
yate business with this persou. Gene,
Robin
You have got your spade an1 ITS ae-
compartments with you. presume" in
| quired the young count OF the man he had
met, as the two entered little room to-
sether.
Yes, indeed, Monsieur Louis and one
or two changes of apparel 1t is for no
more than a month OF two. think YOU
! said?"
"That is ALL
'''Then l dare say I brought sufficient
with me; more than that might be
thought superiiuous, you know. We
mus; be natural"
"ies-yes Robin. 1t is all right. Shut
the door now, and be careful there is DC
chance for eayesdroppers.
They went in, aud the door was clos.
ed upon them.
Some twenty minutes might have elapS
cd when it was re-opened and they came
forth again, the young count striking
from his vanished boot one or tive
straws with his riding switch, aud bend
ing his head TO conceal smile that curry
cd his mustached lip; while his coNpau
ion. with less apparent restraint. was
aughing outrighta low. musical but
hearty laugh. He quickly grew grave
however, and said. aloud, as they pro
ceeded to the outer door. where the inn
keeper was still standing. aud cndeavor
ing to draw the usually grutf Francoi,
into something like conversation:
You think. then. monsieur lie compte
that sr'.H get employment somewher,
ahont hareF"
%. doubtless doubtless. Robin" wa,
the reply. You will have my certj6cat,
OF character, If IL is required; hut you
face will DO as we'll. il | am not mistak
en-
"Well-well | need not tell you to be
have yourself, Robiu l wish that yOl
may meet with good fortune"
, Thank you. monsieur" returned tn
other, gratefully. Il hail endeavor G
do credit to your recommendation
"Ah-well.' muttered Francois, cross
. ~, as he mounted his own little hack
) ana glanced surlily enough toward Ai
: master; III young people viii turn int
: wild geese, l do not know who viii re
pent bat themselves"