Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1901-06-26
CHAPTER XIV.

thousand slight yet convincing tokens Of
feeling witnessed that afternoon and
evening in her close yet silent ana
stealthy watch over actions and words.
something peculiar in the manner OF the
marquis. and the occasit nal gay yet mys-
FERROUS jests of the Count de Clairy he
all combined to awaken within her the
Interest and most to menting distrust
and suspicion.
Il will know viii know" she said
to herself A little while she waited, till
81 was able 10 assume a manner OF per-
feet cOmposure. and then, lifting an ala
ba stcr lamp from ths' toilet, she crossed
the gallery and entert the apartment OPP
posite.
Rose had dismissed her maid and was
brushing out her hair. whose rich folds,
falling around her light shape. almost
concealed il with -1eir shining veil. She
turned from the mirror as Mademoiselle
Montauban entered. and a lovely smile
Frightened over hel' sweet face.
All, | am so CAD you have come,
Helen" she said, running to her and
thr, wing those flir, snowy arms about
her in an innocent, loving and happy EN-
brace
And Helen Montauban, bending her
teaut,4T head. calmly and with seeming
kindIess and affection, kissed Rose on her
foref cad. The girl shuddered.
How cold you are. Helen, Are you
Ill? Your lips are like icer'
NO, / am not i'll, dear child, and
think it must be because you are so
warm, SO excited, so happy, that you ini-,
agine me 10 be cold. have come to sit
with you a little while before | l tire"
You were kind to come. | wanted to
see you; / was waiting for you" She
sat down by the side OF Mademoiselle
Montau5an and put her arms about her
again.
Well, you wished to see me--is that
ally' asked Helen, attempting something
like playfulness in her manner.
IL wished toto tell you something.
and now | have not the courage" Rose
hid her face on her companions breast
again Helen. it was about-Louis.
Those sweet eyes were hidden; it was
we'll they could not see the stony fierce
ness of that wild. white face above, that
grew wilder and whittier as the grlish,
tinid confession was made.
helen Montauban. crushing with calm
aid terrible force the thousand mad emo
tons in her breast, that struggled 10 have
way. compelled herself to utter, softly;
Go on Rose; | all interested-I am
listening; go on
And Rose told her all-all, from begin
ming to end, with her fair head lying on
that stormy heart. whose gathering fires
her innocent, whispered. bashful words
fed with fearful sustenance Helen
Montauban listened. She heard all this
gerry word. every syllable of this con-
fession. and each word, each syllable,
struck her with deadly blow The de-
Iiberate stab Of the L.idnight murderer
tells with no deeper power. Yet she list
ened, and stirred not; she spoke some
times. made some remark or comment,
and then listened again. There was a
kind of savage agony within, that dwelt
upon that simple love story In it's every
detail, and eomprehended ii with sharp
and greedy eagerness; but at the close, all
memory Of those details departed All
that was left Of that story, gathered into
three wortls--three single words, that
Rose. with bashful Joy. whispered as she
finished: He loves me-Louis loves met
And Helen Montauban said to herself,
HE loves another; he does not love mer'
The words We're branded into her heart;
they were written there in characters of
fire. they were ineffaceable.
s'You are not going yet do not go yet,
dear Helen" murmured Rose. Stay
with me a little longer"
FIer soft eyes, raised so tenderly, so
pleadingiy, to that face. shone with
divine beauty. The goldtinged tresses.
flowing about her graceful head were
like the glory that surrounds the brow Of
saint. Thus seemed this young girl. as
she stood before the dark. stately Helen.
whose proud face was calm and quiet.
whose splendid eyes shot forth no shaft
Cf the smothered fire within
But Helen Montauban uttered some
gentle words and turned away. She babe
Rose pleasant good night before she
went out, and then, taking her by the
hand bent down once more ana kissed
her With that kiss she Swore hatred
undving. eternal revenge, speedy and
sure, to the one who had robbed her Of
his love. And Rose sought her pillow to
dream such dreams as youth and joy
may bring, even while hate and revenge,
with sleepless eyes. watched over her.
Helen Montauban secured herself in the
privacy and Stiffness Of her chamber, and
putting her lamp ON her own dressing
table. threw herself upon the couch, not
to sleep. The spirit of rest ficd from
those eyes, that gloomed upon vacancy.
There was no peace for that heart. beat
ing with hard. feIsse. heavy throbs be-
meath its silken vesture. Still those words
burned upon it their scorching characters
he loves another"
She had sworn revenge The dream
OF her whole life had been broken now
Ii was as if a single thread Of shining
silver had run ITS glittering line through
her life-woof and those slender fingers
50 lately pressed upon her own. had
rurhlessly snapped it asunder. Rose
might be innocent Of intention TO wrong
her nay, she knew her to be so. And
yet she hated her-hated the beautiful
face, the sweet voice, that had won him
to love them She shuddered as she
seemed 10 feel once again the pressure
OF that young head, upon her bosom, II
oppressed sgffoeate5! her; she eonld not
breathe. The very air of the room was
sitting. She hung open a easement with
trembling hands and leaned far out to
drink the cool and dcwy air Of the dark
midnight,
This was all she thought of-that ven
geance must be had. How il was 70
work, or when, was unknown Its very
shape was YET underlined; but some shape
or other it must take soon. At present
a vague idea only hoated before her. II
was sweet, in her bitterness of soul ia
con ron, s,lnt. - Sha urnuT1 To-. bar ~ .,