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

A month passed Louie had intended
to leave the chateau at the expiration Of
month. II went by. but still he lingere q;
and, As he had no pressing business els,-
where, he said to himself that the sum
mer might wear away as we'll here as in
places where he might not like so well to
stay 50 he was in no hurry to depart
Time passed very pleasantly at the
chateau. \ great portion OF his days was
passed indoors, in the society Of his nn-
Gle and his beautiful cousin Helen; and
the remainder was spent in the open air,
in the pursuit Of his fayorite amuse-
ments Louis was as fond Of saetching
as eYeg. and nearly every morning he
might have been seen rowing about the
ncis.hhorhood in search Of food for his
pcucil. as we have already seen him. re-
,uraing at noon, to display TO MaGemoi-
Selle Montauban the result Of his labor;
though, on the first occasion Of this kind,
it must be allowed that the exhibition OF
his sketches was subjected 10 some slight
reserve. the picture Of Rose aud her
dwelling being withheld For what rea-
son. however, he himself, perhaps. scarce
Is knew AT the time.
He had seen Rose two or three times
siacc that visit. both at the chateau and
at the cottage, where he had net her
father also. Tie admiration Of Louis
for our pretty heroine certainly was by
no means on the decrease; while Hugh
I.amonte VAS an enigma 10 him. The Pc
cuiiarity Of this mans appearance and
manaers was a matter of no little per-
plexity 70 him as to others. The gravity
aud reserve Of Hugh were so many sub
jectS 3f mystery. But it was a mystery
not likely soon to be solved. Nobody
knew anything concerning him previous
to the tine Of his coming to occupy bis
present abode. His former place of res
idence was unknown. Conjecture had
done her best. and the mystery remained
mystery still.
Iouis often spoke with his uncle on
this subject. The good marquis could
only shake his head ia per 'exity.
~lIe Is a strange man, that is all
can say. my dear boy" said he: 'and
jet there is something about him which
attracts me That lofty steruness which
he sometimes wears strikes one most
strangely. | never observe it without
thinking Of
%0f what, monsieur?" asked Louis.
@Of my-of Henri-your uncle. my boy.
We guarrelcd once, he aud |, aud he
mnrp just that look and manner after
ward You never saw him, Louis" And
the gOod marquis sighed.
What was the reason " the quarrel,
xnele*' asked Louis.
%it Is a long strcy. | cannot tell you
y
perhaps, | will relate it to you
II was no III common thing now for
Louis 10 encounter Jacques I.eroux now,
in his usual stroiis about the neighbor-
Aoed They often met; and the young
r8anf, feeling an interest in this rough,
bat evidently honest-hearted fellow, wha
had taken pains 70 render him a service
spent many an hour In conversation with
hiss. sa:le reclining on the banks of the
valley stream. engaged in angling, 81
rpamiag ever wood and hill with his be
igyeJ portfolio, for Louis was an uawear.
sesi artist.
Aad all this time GaspsrIe was away.
High aud jacques alone knew where:
FOR the former. Hugh I.amonte, uneasy
at a neighborhod so little to be desired,
af thag portion Of the horde engaged in
ihe eontrahand trade, well reasoning that,
being as far distant as the coast itself.
BE- h8d nothing unpleasant 10 apprehend
srafn hiIn, taasparde. as may be guessed.
had been 10 little dissatisfied with this
arrangement, and resolved to return, SO.
cretig, as s0on as an opportunity pre-
se1ted Itself.
T. WAS one day when Louis had been
rambling about during the whole morn
ing that. Nsearied oat, he threw himself
hepeath tile shallow Of a tree to rest. in
avs midst If small grove half way be.
aween the chateau and the cottage He
had book with him. and opening il. soon
heraae deeply engaged IN its perusal
Perhaps he might have pissed half All
Aanr mus. At the end Of tnat time, how
ever. he closed it, and taking up his
qua. which he had thrown on the turf
beside him. he took his way towards tn,
road which was not many steps distant
Bat he had hardly reached it, ere bgl
bet woistied through the air, struck hi,
aess srIn. ploughius up the flesh as L
went tna continuing its course till 4
5ed~cd in the trunk u large tree by thu
roadside.
Is had evidently proceeded from som,
place very near the spot which he ha,
left; but he Lad no time TO look for til,
seurte 81 the compliment, for the warn
blood already poured down his arm, sat
Rruliur completely '.e sleeve which GOV
cred it, fastening on. he sat down b,
abe trunk Of The tree which had receiv
ed the bullet, and taking his handkerchic
ont. folded il into bandagc. At thai
uaneut. raising his ayes, he behel,
jacques l.eroux coming along fhe roa,
arSza she village. He called TO hini, ans
4he mau ran up.
What, the matter now. Monsieur
tssais :" he asked. in some surprise
Shot ia she arm? Winged Ike a will
fowl Why, what" He glanced a
sa,e run that the count had again lai,
down. and Louis recognized the impress
sion which he entertained.
~WeH my good fellow" he said. light
ly, despite tue slight faintness he Tel
frsu the loss of blood, you do not thin
I would commit intentional suicide--d
yeuT and if did, should certainly Sc
Ike; surcr spot than this But an
glad sou are here. This onc-handed wor
IS rather awkward Just fasten the band
&se about it tightly, il you please-s 81
That j. Il! BE- sure the knot is fast.
A8d during this time Louis had cor
etadej, since Jacques mad drawn his ow
safepcuces. 10 ct him keep them. ana lei
siu nothing cpnet -ping the actual stat
81 the matter; for a thought had sud
5eSsis occurred to him as ne endeayorr
tss aecount Tor the ease himself whic