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

woman. What evil has that sweet child
done TO you? Would you murder your
own sister-Marguerite Montaubau?"
Hne moment the guilty woman gazed
at him wildly. A gasp. struggle, a
faint cry, and she sank in awful con
vulsions at his feet.
That was a fearful night which fol
lowed. bat it was only the commence
| ment OF season fraught witt. agony.
The marquis returned to the chateau
from the deathbed of his brother, to find
lielen struggling between life and death.
FUR weeks she lay unconscious Of every
thing about her; only coming cut of the
dhll stupor that wrapt her to fall ever
| anu anon, into those terrible commissions.
| ~ which II seemed that nature mus
SINK, Worn out with the contest The
| agitation produced 10y this circumstance,
strange and sudden as it was, aud the
death Of his brother, would have been
beyond his power TO bear had il not been
for the inexpressible happiness which il
was permitted him to enjoy in the dis.
eoYery Of his long-lost child. How would
he have shuddered had he known the
fearful fate which thar sweet child had
/ so narrowly escaped.
But the scenes enacted within the walls
| of the chateau that night were mercifully
| concealed from him. Fortunately for
| Helen Montauban. in the illness which
| succeeded the overwhelming denouement
of the dark tragedy wherein she had TAX
| EN- SO terrible part. there was no de-
| hrinn, or her wretched secret would in
| eyitably have been betrayed; and NJ
Merry, who tented her constantly. had de
stfoyed all evidence of her guilt, OF which
on that night he had SO proyidcntially
neen made aware by returning. unan-
nouIfeed. and entering the apartment OF
| the Invalid Just before the stealthy APP
proaeh Of the murderess Her illness he
| allowed all to attribute to the agitation.
anxiety ara excitement attendant ON the
late danger Of Rose, trusting that. if she
recovered. she would bitterly repent. in
secret. her sinful attempt on her sisters
life, and unwilling 20 add to the shame
and agony which she would feel ry be
traylng her guilt. He could guess nj the
cause of her enmity towards Rose: for
NJ Merry was a shrewd man; and he re-
solved 10 expedite the union OF the lovers
as much as was possible. that. III case
he hatred Of Helen should he stili nn-
satisfied. The young eir might he safe
from her reach, under the projection c.
her husband.
Nanwrile the burial ot Hcnri took
place. 1t was quiet. transformations. lie
was laid in the family vault, to rest ~
last, after weary lie of sorrow. OF
desperation ana Of crime Only thu mar
quis and the immediate members of his
family were made acquainted with the
history of the unhappy man, in the rec
ordS which he left behind Louis return.
ed from Paris in time for this burial
Returned. in anticipation Of his ap.
preaching marriage day. 20 find his in,
tended bride but Just recovering from d
dangerous Illness and Helen Montauban
as many believed, at the gates of death
70 learn the story of the strangely
chequered life OF his deceased relative
and recognize, lin his beloved Rose, ;
cousin. aud the child SO long incurred a,
lost by his Uncle. Wha an astoundn.
revelation VAS this
In the evening preceding the brida
day the marquis called Rose 10 him i,
the library, and after some remarks. care
less and insignificant enough in them
selves, but accompanied by mamie
that betrayed the emotion agtating him
he said, suddenly.
Rose, nay child. yon have loved you
father
%, yes, monsieur" she replied earn
estly. ami with tears standing in he
eyes.
And You have also loved me. Rose =
His Vote troubled, despite his efforts Z
control him~ ,lf
All my friend, my bcnefactor. wha
have you been TO me hut a second faith
err
, lie seated himself beside her
1t is sweet my child, To hear sou sd.
this--ah. son 30 not know how sweet q
me- Rose did ! not ten YOU once tha
] lost. fourteen or fifteen Years ago
chiid-a lovely. gentle infant. whose pie
turc you have seen in the saloon-a chill
who WAS stolen from meg'
: YES. monsieur"
t And l have told you that you wer
what that child would be now IL she wer
? living. It is why YOU have ever been s.
dear to me. All. many time, Rose,