The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1901-08-24
CHAPTER XXI.

apartment, yet so disposed as to leave ID
shadow the curtaned couch and It's siuih
bering occupant. For Rose was sleeping
calmly, s~ calmly, so quietly, that you
might almost have thought her dead. Inc
breath that f1oated from those pale ups
was scarcely perceptible, though regular.
so 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
near the head of the couch was opened
noiselessly, and with slow and stenlthy
caution, from without. tan. hsht
robed, ghost-like form glided in without
a sound-ghost-like except for the large
brilliant dark eyes that cleaned more
wildly than ever tonight, and the crim
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 softened light, as she drew 1t from
her bosom.
One hand, holding the vial. was stretch
ed forth TO the silver cup set upon the
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 heleh
Montauban glanced fearfully towards the
door by which she had entered; for It al
most seemed, TO her miserable, horror
struck fancy, that some one must De
watching her
A shadow had startled her. With
CHASTITY smile at her own nervousness, she
silently mingled the poison with the nishl
drink of Rose; then. as noisclessiy as she
had entered. returned to her OWN room
across the gallery. 1t was done. What
had she to fear now? Who woulo ever
dream, when the hour of death came,
that sucn agency as this had been en-
ployed: Closing the door, she paced her
chamber restlesSly, with both hands
clasped tightly against her heart, whose
violent throbhingS seemed to III! with
clamorous sound this awful midnight 81
lence. Listening in almost lntoieraDle
suspense, and pacing her apartment. she
waited for some signal from the opposite
chamber.
A whole hour passed. Then there was
a sound-a light step-in the gallery. IL
was the Countess de C!airville. return
ing to the bedside of Rose. Helen Mon
tauban could endure this suspense no
the conclusion of this tragedy. Emers-
ing from hcr apartment. therefore, she
joined the countess, as she entered the
opposite door.
All, MY dear, is that you? Then you
have been asleep also?" said the countess,
smiling. Bat it is rather chilly tonight
do you not think sou
"Yes-it is cold" uttered He.eI. Mon
tauban. hoarscly-''it Is cold." and she
shivered.
She drew near the fire and c"o7 ned
Shudderingly over the broad blaze. The
Countess de Clairville went to the couch
of Rcss I'D bent over it for an instant.
The dear child is asleep. | think. she
said, presently, returning to the hearth
How refreshing-how delightful it is for
one TO see her once more enjoying so gen
tie slumber! Poor little Rose. she must
be well nigh swOrn out with this fatlsu-
ing illness. | WONDER" the lady contin-
ued, seating herself by the hearth, oppo-
site Mademoselle Montauban-'l Won
der how her father is down at the VII
lage? They thought he was dying this
morning 1Shen the marquis went dowL
What a sad thing it would have been +
The father and daughter had both d!ed.'
She spoke in subdued whispers.
MademOlSelie MOntauDan bent !ONeT
over the blaze. warming her hands.
And peculiar, too" she returned, IN
low tone But we cannot be too care
flu of her, even now; for Nj. Merry says
that in her present feeble state. the least
sxcitemen: o. alarm might be fatal to
her. l dread that think. suppose any
thing should happen. after all our re-
joicing? We must be SO cautious. The
kNnw-thA
might Kill her.
She shook as she uttered these words;
eer eyes we're wild and strange. Those
4glicate, slender hands touched the
flames. as she held them out but she
never knew T. \ species of insanity was
upon her The protractcd contemplation
Of this terrible deed. strong as were her
nerves, had begun almost to tell upon
her reason.
u wonder if Hugh Lamonte is still liv-
ing?" continued the countess. 1t is a
pity that nc could not be brought here;
but Jean Morel said they had declared
il Impossible 10 move him with safety.
BcsiIes i; you'd be dangerous to Rose
perhaps. Il re were in her vicinity, for
she would D.. more likely to gain some
knowledge Of his situation. Yet what a
sorrowluI ching it is that they cannot bid
each other adieu,
At thai moment the door near the head
Of the couch was opened Both the coun-
tess and Helen turned to see who en-
tered It was the physician, NJ. Merry.
lie paused by the bedside an instant, bent
over lose and listened. Her respiration
Was calm and regular. though almost i'm
pcrc>1tible. Afsrr regarding her mo-
mcnt liz advanced silently towards the
uea:,h, y chill struck through the guilty
Go,cu She G@4 not expected him 50