The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1903-12-03

and Countess de Clairville. with Lord Eg-
erton, had arranged to continue theiF
route to Paris, and as they had been en-
deavoring to persuade their host and his
family to accompany them and spend ths
time with them there until their return,
before the union of Rose and Louis, II
was decided to adopt the proposed plan
and remain some days at Lyons on the
way, in order, il possible, to hear some
thing concerning Hugh Lamonte.
This course having been fixed upon,
preparations were Immediately commenc-
ed for the journey. The Countess de
Clairville could not suppress her joy at
this arrangement. Rose began to re-
cover the gentle viyacity and animation
natural to her; and Louis, charmed at
observing the change, was the happiest
of men.
Nor was Lord Egerton the one least
satisfied of the party. He had looked for
ward to his departure from Helen's pres
ence with feelings of the utmost pain.
He had been restless--disquieted Moth
ing but the anticipation Of his return
thither had relieved his dissatisfaction.
His pleasure, then, in the prospect OF
the approaching journey was as intense
as his discomfort had formerly been.
And how was it with Helen Montau-
ban? 1t was well known that she was
pleased with this arrangement. She had
expressed her satisfaction more than once
In alluding to it, and took an active part
In the preparations making for the oc.
casion. But there was no one in all that
party-not even Rose Lamonte herself.
seeking tidngs of her father-who took
so deep an interest in the thoughts Of
this journey. For Helen Montauban had
a purpose-the bare skeleton Of plan as
yet-over which she had been brooking
In secrecy and silence through many
day past. Her DESIRE her thirst for re-
venge. was fierce and unquenchable.
Long had she been meditating upon the
mode Of Its fulfillment; but her hands
had been In measure bound; the neces-
sary facilities for action were difficult
to be attained Now, however, means Of
forwarding her wretched scheme were
at hand; the approaching journey opened
to her ways and means that she only too
eagerly snatched at. With calm and un-
impassloned dellberatiOn which but as
sured a more terrible consummation of
her hateful design, she meditated upon
the new assistance afforded her now; she
looked forward to the method to be
adopted and CAREFUL made her calcu'
Enthusiastically and coolly. She had
no fear-no hesitation. Hers were strong
passions-strong and fiery, and deep and
violence when reused in her breast; the
love was forgotten now; the hate was
uppermost; it was meat and drink to
her; 1t had turned her heart to steel.
Compassion, tenderness, pity-all were
banished. The fends themselves could
plot no more mercilessly than this wom-
an, when vengeance had once become her
object.
A smoldering fire lay in those proud.
dark eyes, as she left the old chateau on
the morning of the departure for Lyons.
She leaned forward from the carriage
window as they wound slowly along the
road leading northward, and looked upon
the dark pile that rose against the blue.
serene air of the declining autumn.
See" said Louis, gaily, Helen is TAX
ing a sentimental farewell Of home"
"Nay, cousin, was thinking of our
return" answered she.
Then why be thinking already" said
the marquis, "of our return? Indeed,
am half inclined, Helen, to believe that
you really regret leaving the chateau"
$50 soon ?-why, that scarcely augurs
favorably for the enjoyment of your trip
to the gay capital Helen! ] had an Inn
preston that you anticipated great deal
of pleasure during our sojourn there"
so she does-so she does, am sure!"
Joined in Rose, as she took the hand of
Montauban affectionately
in hers. 1--WE shall both enjoy ourselves
shall we not, dear HelenT
Undoubtedly" was the reply; "how
can it be otherwise2" and she smiled.
Monsieur" returned Mademoisells
Montauban, "this journey is, of all things
in the world, one of those which most
desire"
She leaned back in the carriage and
said no more. Gradually they entered
upon the road skirting the forest, and
then the chateau and its neighborhood |
was lost to view.
l.