Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1902-07-08
trir of the chateau and the rest.

| itriy of the chateau and the rest.
"Do you mean to tell me, then, tht
lass is not countess?" he exclaimed
That 1 could not declare, though
was certain no handsomer or sweetel
countess could be found in the whole
wide world.
"True for you, my lad," said he
"and you're in the luck of it,"
Birley was eager to go home at once
to tell Louise all about it lshe wal
again established in his house, with
Mrs. Steinhardt). He wished me te
60 with him to assist in the explana.
tion; endeavored to excuse myself
but in vain.
"Come, lad" said he, ST can ses
what you're thinking. Keep sitter
back, man; do not you be SO shy your
self See-tha-I saw duke onee-a
great Scotch duke-and he was the
Notwithstanding tailor-body ever you
saw in all your life. If you cannot
max better count, once you get used
to it, than he made duke, I'll eat my
hat. lad!"
"Ah, hal" cried Birley, in his CHEEKY
voice, ST have word to say unto thee
my lady!''
(Which of us do you mean, Mr..
Birley?" she asked.
(Which of you? Well, Sally might
have had to do with it, but as it hap
pens she hasn't. Imean thee, my lady
countess"
"Countess?" she exlaimed. "Why,
what has amused you, Mr.. Birley?"
81 do not quite know" said 1, wish
ing to get the explanation over, "that
Mr.. Birley is right to call you countess,
but we have found evidence that youi
cousin the count is dead, and that you,
being next in succession, inherit the De
Laroix chateau and other property.
You are great French heiress, Louise,
whether you are countess or not. .'
"Me?" she cried. ooh, what
strange thing is this?"
Birley sat down and entered into ex-
PLANTATION, while I withdrew to the
window.
$50, my lady," concluded Birley,
"there you are, and we are all thy
humble, obedient servants"
was astonished to see her hide her
face in her hands, and burst into tears.
81 do not wish at ALL" she cried,
''to be countess. or to be anything but
what am! And you want all to put
me far away from you! l do not wish
to have their chateau and their rents''
s'Louise," said, "let me confess to
you that have been thinking I ought
to give you up-to give you back the
promise you gave me, before either you
or guessed you were the great lady we
now know you are! 1t was terrible,
terrible to think I ought to do it, but
-but-ah, Louise, what must do?"
"You still love me, then, as much as
you did? But why should you not?
Am / not the same Louise? I do not
feel that chateau and rents make il
unnece sary that you should love me!''
"Then you do not"
sAh, hush!" she cried, stopping my
mouth with her hand. "You must
not say such things! 1t is wicked
But 1 know you did not doubt me!
know! I know!"
/ Shall 60 ON? What need is therel
Surely every reader may guess the rest
-tndL LOulS0 D0 LdCTOlX is now KnOWO
to the world as Mrs. Gerald Unwin-
to me as the dear partner of all LIES
joys, and cares, and duties, the tender
and faithful heart who has put away
all the terrors and shadows of the past
and cherishes only the lessons of hui
mility, faith, patience and duty which
it has taught.
"What," some may ask in conclusion
"about Frank Steinhardt, and his little
sweet-voiced school -mistress?"
Frank was more of musician than
a chemical dye manufacturer. The
chemical works were, therefore, sold,
and Frank and Mrs. Frank are now
known in musical circles, he as a
pianist, and she SIS singer of repute.
cannot end without a word con-
cerning the strange woman whose vis-
ions played SO great part in the eluci-
dation of the Lacroix mystery-poor
Fraulein Haas. put off as long as !
could the unwe tcome task of informing
her of Steinhardt's death. When at
length I did write I told her in few
words that retort had burst upon him
while he was engaged upon an expert
ment, and had killed him at once.
Soon after had written was surprised
to receive a note from her, containing
only these words:-
81 knew it. 1t wss Gods doing.'