The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1903-12-17
CHAPTER XIV.

q deeper red, and her sweet hazel eyes
sparkled with happy excitement as she
sat before her mirror. The blue-eyed
Fnette was in raptures.
Rose had hardly thought, during the
absence of Robin. that she could be 50
deeply excited by the news of his antic-
pated return: but she was too overJ0yed
TO remain quiet Il single moment. AT
breakfast it was impossible for her to
cat: and the remarks everywhere made
concerning the sudden improvement in
her appearance. as we'll as on her sud
den and contradictory loss of appetite,
increased the tinge of crimson that al
ready glowed in her young cheek.
One thing detractcd from her other
wise perfect happiness. Louis had ex-
cused himself from appearing. She had
scarcely seen him the night before, after
leaving the library, and then he had been
unusually quiet, communing with him
self during the entire evening; and he
was absent this morning. She longed to
see him-to hear him speak, that she
might know he was not offended with
her: for she remembered the interview
between them; and might not the abrupt
ness-the violence, perhaps, of her man
neT, UNCONSCIOUS tHouSH IL was, h"'O
wounded him? Yes; despite the tender
ness of that silent parting. How her
pulse quickened at the remembrance of
his embrace. She could but sigh.
az wonder at what time | shall see
Robin?' soliloquized the young girl
"Will monsieur le marquis call me into
the library, | wonder? Or will the meet
ing take place here, among all these peO-
pie? Where is Robin?' was her next
restless inqury-an inquiry which she
had started a thousand times, and as a
matter of course, in vain, since the pre-
vious evening; land where is it that mon
sieur lie marquis has seen him so often OF
iate?'
Her queries were interrupted by observ-
ing suddenly that the marquis was about
TO leave the apartment.
"Ah, he has not said word to me-!
meditated Rose HE tantalizes me. Will
he not come back and speak-only three
words? Will he not even look at me,
that may understandable may know
whether Robin is coming soon?'
But he neither spoke, turned nor gave
her single glance. Yet there was some
thing, despite his evident care, which be-
trayed in his countenance the sympathy
he felt with Rose. He went out. The
Count de Clairville talked, aside, with his
wife. Helen Montauban, at distant
window, sat calmly at her embroidery.
Lord EgertOn bent over her, and spoke,
from time to time, some words, which, If
their effect had been noted, might have
been SEEN ever and anon to be followed
by a deeper mantling Of color in the fair
cheek of the lady, though she scarcely
seemed pleased, either. Anon the young
man toyed and trifled with the gorgeous
silks that lay in a tangled mass of rain
bow bloom in the tiny basket by Helen's
side; and then his glance rested on her
face with an expression difficult to be de-
fined, though at times it was clearly one
of unhappiness and disappointment
But Rose. albeit she glanced towards
the pair more than once hardly took note
of these things. She could only think
Of the marquis of Robin, and of the an
ticipated meeting. She was restless-un-
easy. From one employment to another
she turned, without being able to settle
her attention undoubtedly upon any in
dividual thing. Suddenly mademOiselle
called, gently:
"Rose. come hither a moment
The young girl advanced towards the
window.
''You wish to speak with me. Helen?"
she asked.
81 have been telling Lord Egerton Of
some favOrite books of his which are in
the library" returned Mademoiselle Mon
tauban. carelessly. will you have the
kindness. Rose. to help him find them?
lie will tell you their titles"
Cruel Helen"' murmured Francis Egg
erton. reproachfully. as he glanced at her
quiet face before turning away.
"Not So my lord" she answered. in the
same tone without lifting her eyes.
At that instant a domestic entered, and
coming directly to Rose, informed her
that monsieur lie marquis desired to see
her Immediately in the library.
The young girls heart bounded violent
iy.
II am going now" she answered: and
yet she paused.
Francis EgertOn glanced back at Hell
en-. with an air, half OF triumph. half of
sorrow. which said plainly. You see
your unkind artihce to repel me avails
you nothing. Why will you persist in
this conduct-this treatment of me?"
Mademoisele Montauban saw the look.
and read it easily; but she never once
changed countenance, and her eyes were
instantly fixed on her embroidery again.
Lord Egerton turned to Rose:
"You are going, mademOiselle
"Yes-nOw." She gathered courage;
she would not look up in her companion
face, but hastily proceeded to meet the
marquis.
Francis accompanied her as far as the
library door. and then leaving her. return
ed directly to Helen.
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