The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1903-10-29
CHAPTER VI.

mer might wear away as well here as In
places where he might not like 50 well TO
stay. SO he was i'll no hurry to depart.
Time passed very pleasantly ut the
chateau. \ great portion of his days was
passed indoors, in the society of his I'M
Gle and his beautiful cousin Helen; and
the remainder was spent in the open air,
in the pursuit of his favorite amuse-
ments. Louis was as fond of sketching
as ever, and nearly every morning he
might have been seen rowing about the
neightorhood in search of food for his
pencil, as we have already seen him, re-
turning at noon, to display to Mademoi-
'selle Montauban the result of his labor;
though, on the first occasion of this kind,
it must be allowed that the exhibition of
his sketches was subjected to some slight
reserve, the picture of Rose and her
dwelling being withheld. For what rea-
son, however, he himself, perhaps, scarce
ly knew at the time.
He had seen Rose two or three times
since that visit, both at the chateau and
at the cottage. where he had met her
father also. The admiration of Louis
for our pretty heroine certainly was by
no means on the decrease; while Hugh
Lamonte was an enigma to him. The pc
cularity of this mans appearance and
manners was a matter of no little per
plexity to him as to others. The gravity
and reserve of Hugh were so many sub
jects of mystery. But it was a mystery
not likely soon to be solved. Nobody
knew anything concerning him previous
to the time of his coming to occupy his
present abode. His former place of res
idence was unknown. Conjecture had
done her best, aud the mystery remained
a mystery still.
Louis often spoke with his uncle on
this subject. The good marquis could
only shake his head in perplexity.
He is a strange man, that is all |
can say, my dear boy" said he; land
yet there is something about him which
attracts me- That lofty sternness which
he sometimes wears strikes one most
strangely. | never observe it without
thinking Of"
"Of what, monsieur?" asked Louis.
"Of my-of Henri-your uncle, my boy.
We quarreled once, he and |, and he
wore just that look and manner after
W
the good marquis sighed.
What was the reason of the quarrel,
uncle?' asked Louis.
1T is long story. / cannot tell you
now" was the answer; ''but, some day,
perhaps, | will relate it to you"
1t was no uncommon thing now for
Louis to encounter Jacques LerOux now
in his usual strolls about the neighbor-
hood. They often met; and the young
count, feeling an interest in this rough,
but evidently honest-hearted fellow, who
had taken pains to render him service
spent many an hour in conversation with
him while reclining on the banks of the
valley stream, engaged in angling, or
roaming over wood and hill, with his be-
loved portfolio, for Louis was an unwear-
led artist.
And all this time Gasparde was away.
Hugh and Jacques alone knew where;
for the former. Hugh Lamonte, uneasy
at neighbOrhod so little to be desired
had dispatched him to manage the affairs
of that portion of the horde engaged in
the contraband trade, well reasoning that,
being as far distant as the coast itself
from him. Gasparde, as may be guessed
had been no little dissatisfied with this
arrangement, and resolved to return, Sc
cretly, as soon as an opportunity pre-
scented itself.
1t was one day when Louis had been
rambling about during the whole morn
ing that, wearied out, he threw himself
beneath the shadow of Il tree to rest, in
the midst of Il small grove half way be-
tween the chateau and the cottage. He
had book with him. and opening it, soon
became deeply engaged in its perusal.
Perhaps he might have passed half an
hour thus. At the end of that time how
ever, he closed it, and taking up his
gun, which he had thrown on the turf
beside him. he took his way towards the
road, which was not many steps distant.
But he had hardly reached it, ere a bull
let whistled through the air, struck his
left arm, ploughing up the flesh as ii
went. and continuing its course till il
lodged in the trunk of large tree by the
roadside.
1t had evidently proceeded from some
place very near the spot which he had
left. but he had no time TO look for the
source of the compliment, for the warm
blood already poured down his arm, sat
urating completely the sleeve which GOV.
cred it. Fastening on, he sat down by
the trunk Of the tree which had receiv,
ed the bullet, and taking his handkerchief
out folded it into a bandage. At that
moment, raising his eyes, he beheld
Jacques Leroux coming along the road
from the village. He called to him, ant
the man ran up.
What's the matter now, Monsieur
LOUISE he asked, in some surprise
shot in the arm? Winged like a wild
fowl. Why, what" He glanced al
the gun that the count had again lait
down, and Louis recognized the impress
sion which he entertained.
We'll, my good fellow" he said. light