Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1903-12-15
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the utmost impatience, for the appear
ance of Hugh; but, as yet he had failed
to come. The countess and Helen were
in their respective apartments. The mar
quis and Louis had gone out, after await
ing since early morning the arrival of
the expected visitor, but had promised
to return shortly. Rose sat alone, count
ing the moments and striving to find
amusement in watching the scene with
out in the busy street. Every figure that
passed she scanned eagerly; every face
underwent the scrutiny of her anxious
glance.
Suddenly she was attracted to one in
PARTICULAR figure and countenance and
bearing, like yet unlike those of her faith
era person who seemed to be seeking
some place in this wilderness of struc-
lures, consulting, at the same time. a
card which he held in his hand. How
eagerly she bent forward! He crossed
looked up-met her glance. Yes-it was
Hugh Lamonte! But how changed! He
disappeared in the entrance beneath. She
sprang to unclose the door of the apart
ment. A familiar step was just without;
it paused, and as the door opened, Rose
beheld him before her.
"My dear father!' she said, joyfully,
as he clasped her silently in his arms.
"You are glad to see me, then. mig
| nome"
"Glad ?-ah, yes! 1 have waited till l
| was ready to cry, papa"
Holding him still by the hand, she led
him in. Rose saw, now, though she would
not seem to remark it, the reason Of his
altered appearance, which had at first
prevented her from recognizing him. For
now, instead Of the coarse and humble
garb ordinary with him, he was clothed
| in the attire of gentleman, in garments
| of fine yet plain material, suiting well
with the undeniably noble and striking
| form and natural grace of the wearer.
| The profusion of hair, formerly roughen-
ing and Disgusting his features, had been
partially removed, and the effect was
no less agreeable than astonishing. No
wonder that Rose had scarcely known
him. You would not have guessed that
this man had ever hewn wood in the
forest, and dwelt, a peasant laborer, in
peasants hut. But Hugh, for reasons
of his own, had chosen to cast off the
character in which he had so long appear
ed, in this visit to Rose. Perhaps he
had endeavored, by this change, to pre-
vent Rose from being obliged to contrast,
with feelings of pain, his apparent pow
erty with the luxury of her position. As
it was, she wondered silently at the
change, yet, much as she desired to in
quire into his circumstances, a feeling
of restraint, or delicacy, prevented her
at first.
They sat there conversing for upward
of an hour, during which she informed
him of all that had lately taken place
with regard to herself; of the discovery
made touching the romance in which
Louis and herself had been concerned,
and of her approaching marriage with
him. Hugh listened to her story, smiled
at the romantic part of it, and was grave
again.
II knew, Rose," he said, ''who Robin
was.''
''You knew, papa?"
Eyes. But / saw that the count was
honorable and sincere in his affection for
you, and permitted him to think his dis
guise safe. I would not have allowed
you to marry a peasant, Rose"
Father, why not?'
"You will know one day, my child.''
She looked perplexed a moment; then
glancing up into her fathers face, said:
"You heard of my imprisonment in the
cavern, father?"
how happy I am that you escaped! What
do we not owe to the count and to our
faithful jacques?
What indeed ?' echoed Rose, warmly
''But," she resumed, "Gasparde was
killed, papa"
Il knew of that, also. The wretch will
meet just account"
''He said he was not my cousin. How
was that, papa?'
HE told the truth. He was no rela-
tion of yours; only / had known him
since he was an innocent, or, at least, an
innocent-seeming boy, when you first saw
him in your infancy, and then, you know,
l bade you call each other cousin after
wards"
"But how wicked he was-a brigand
chief! Ah if we had known it, papa,
how much more dreadful he would have
seemed We should never have dared to
have him come into the cottage"
With abruptness Hugh turned the con-
versation. 1t touched himself and his
affairs. Rose found that he was living
in quiet retirement in the old city of Ly-
ons.
"And I am not poor, Rose; do not let
that trouble you, for | know you will
think of it, he said. 81 am not poor. |
have enough to support ME to the end of
my days in comfort and plenty.
"Oh, father, / am SO gladp' she return
ed, her eyes filling with tears. Il am so
glad! You do not know how bitter has
been the thought, sometimes that was
about to marry wealthy and titled man,
and leave you, perhaps, in poverty and
want. l have a thousand times felt that
[ was committing a sin-that l would
rather come back to you and share your
lot, humble as it was, than wed in splen-
dor and magnifcence and leave you"
'Think no longer, then, of such things"
said her father, grayely. ''Take the hap
piness which is offered you, and in which
|, also, shall be happy. l should be i'll at
ease, my child, if you were to descend to
your former rude station again. Think
of me always, Rose, as in good circum-
stances; do not compare your station and
mine, and make yourself unhappy be-
cause I do not share the advantages you
enjoy. / do not want them, Rose.
should spurn themr' He spoke excitedly,
and then, pressing his hand to his brow,
sighed deeply. Then he continued: Il be-
heve you will be happy with the count,
your future husband. How soon are you
to be marriedW