Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1901-05-08
! CHAPTER vII.-(continued.)


which he had applied Ii is needless &c
say that both were glad to hear of his
good fortune.
Ii was at sunset when Robin came. He
had come Immediately on finishing his
days work, and Hugh invited him to stay
with them an hour or two. This invi
tation Robin was nothing 10th to accept
for 1t was given with a degree Of cor
diality that was rare with Hugh and
whether the beauty and shy grace Of
young Rose had any influence in Robins
decision 10 remain. we leave Others 10
judge. At all events, when he had stay
ed perhaps two hours. and was taking his
departure. Hugh invited him to repeat
the visit. Aad Robin answered, quietly
You are very good monsieur, and /
confess that l am only too glad to come;
for | am somewhat strange vet among
the work people on the farm. aud being
In n new place. it makes one rather lone
fy. And | feel more acquainted with
you. perhaps, because this was the first
place at which sought for work. l
shall he ple':sed to come monsieur, and
then ii may be, if | COME early uough,
that MAIDEN 1isele." glancing towards
Rose. will show me her garden. Il which
j near you speak"
Hahh promised that this shoaid be the
case And Robin departed
On The third day. in the middle of the
afternoon. Robin appeared. Hugh was
surprised at seeing him so much earlier
fh IN usual since the usual hour for leav-
* work was at sunset. But Robin said
that Antoine Lebrun had allowed him to
come earlier. because he had done more
work on the two preceding days than any
other Of the men. Aud he had wished
TO see nadefnoiselle's garden in full day
light 4izf
So Rohim was conducted to the garden.
and here. although he praised its beauty,
yet he also found ample space for sm-
proYement. and volunteered. Il Hugh was
willing, 70 come down and work in i
occasionally.
As there appeared TO be no serious oh
Section to such proceeding the arrange
ment was made; and nearly every after
noon. thenceforth. Robin came half an
hour before sunset, and with spade, rake,
scissors aud pruning katie. busted him
self insthe garden making such alteIa-
lions for the better and training the IA
vorite howers Of Rose so skillfully that
they became even finer and more album
dant than they had been In the earlier
part Of the season, when they seemed to
want no addition to their beauty.
And while Robin worked among the
flower beds, Rose sat the garden door.
with her sewing or embroidery. or. per-
haps hook for Robin. she was pleas
ed to find, was as fond Of books as her
self. and many pleasant ha' f-hoar was
passed thus by them. Robin had no faith.
er. no mother, no sisters. nor a home,
such as others had. &ad he told them
that this seemed like home 10 him He
always FASTENED 10 the cottage as soon
az be was released from work and had
eaten his supper, aud not unfrequently
remained a part Of tile evening with
them. These visits were pleasant ones.
Robin enjoyed them, and Rose always
liked 70 see him coming; while Hugh
Lamoute. though he said little on the sub
jeet now, seemed to regard him as a well
come visitor Rose sometimes wondered
at his evident liking for the young man.
being usually. as h was, Of mood so
unsocial bur she could not but admit that
for one 80 handsome. SO amiabIe and
XII hearted as Robin. to win the friend
ship of those about him. was not at all
strange. and therefore. It was less sur
prisiag. that MS every one else seemed to
like him so well. that her father should
DE also attracted towards him.
The Marquis Of Montauban. late one
afternoon. made his appearance at the
cottage 81 Hugh Lamonte. This was no
common occurrence; for visitors were
generally rather repealed than attracted
by the reserve and taciturnity Of Hugh.
This afternoon, Hugh Isamonte. with
Robin. who had just come from the farm.
and ogr pretty Rose. We're together in the
garden. when a knock ing was heard with
in the kitchen, and Rnse. h"iag nearest
the door, ran in to see who was there.
The marquis was standing By the case
mcnt.
Coed evening. ms child" he said
kindly, as she entered Il have core 10
see your father. Is he at homer
Yes, monsieur" answered Rose. u
will call him"
She went out aud informed her father
OF the desire OF the marquis. and while
he entered the kitehea, proceeded to as
sist Robin IN tying up n rose bush. which
had been hnt down by a shower on the
previous day
II was twilight time when the marquis
left Hugh. and getting into his carriage.
drove away in the direction OF the cha
teaH. They heard him so away-Robin
and Rose. But Hugh did not come out
again; aud when they went in, they found
him seated by the table in the gathering
dusk. aud lesning forward on it. with his
face buried in his hands.
lie rose Immediately on their entrance
aud went to get light but he did not
speak, and rs NJ, asr. OF the light shant
on his countenance. both observed that
it was unusually pale. Perceiving his ST
lence and depression. Robin, filed with
sympathy for him. shortly withdrew
without induiring into its cause; FOR h,
saw plnnly that Hugh was not ILL., bu
tliat something unpleasant pressed apoI
his mind had taken place within the las
hour,
As soon as Robin WAS gone. Rose wen
to her father and sitting down by him
begged him 10 tell her the cause Of hi,
downcas; appearance But he would no
repy to her troubled inquiries.
Rose, my dear child" he said. tender
is and sadly. u cannot tell you what /
is that affects me: at least. not now. u,
no, ask ne BE happy, and do not trou
bile Yourself about me" It was all Ia
would say and the depression which tina
visit of the marquis had left on him con
finued TO mark his manner from tia
time
Rose was anxious and uneasy. Tha
this sudden change had been caused b,
something said or done during the tim