Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1903-11-10
The COntrabandiSt;;
. One Life'S Secret!

answered.
The count stepped forward.
''My friend, suppose you were to shut
your eyes for the space of half an hour,
and unclose them at the end of that time
to fnd yourself richer by thousand
francs, or two or three times that sum,
perhaps?'
''It would be a very pleasant thing,
monsieur"
II offer you that sum in return for
certain favor which shall ask at your
hands"
.Name the favor and it is yours, mon
sieur.''
81 desire the use of the keys which un-
lock the doors of these cells, and you
will show me those in which you have
prisoners confined"
1T is a bargain. Follow me, monsieur.
So this is your business, comrade?' and
he smiled grimly at Jacques. swell, it's
all the same to me, since shall myself
escape from this place and be able to
live like an honest man."
So saying, he led the way from the cell,
advanced a short distance along the gal
lery, and pausing before an arched door
in the wall, said, as he unlocked and
threw it open:
LAC o1iy OIAC4 PAlSOACA AoNC 40 ALA
here, monsieur"
And Louis, leaving the others outside,
entered. This cell, like that of Jacques,
was lighted by brazen lamp, suspended
from the ceiling. Directly beneath this
lamp stood Rose, slightly bending for
ward, with her hands ciasped, and an
eager, inquiring expression of counte
nance, as she beheld some one entering.
and heard the words of the guard. But
she shrank back at first, with a low cry,
as the disguised count met her view. She
did not recognize him.
"Rose, do not fear; it is Ip' he said.
s'You, Louis ?-ah, Louis! l know you
now!' and weeping, amid her smiles, she
sprang forward to the arms outstretched
to receive her.
The young man trembled with emotion
with feelings that were unutterable, as
he held the light form of Rose in his en-
brace.
Rose, / have come to make you free!'
he said, tenderly, supporting her to the
door. Come with me, dear chfd!'
''To set me free? Let us hasten, Louis.
But where is he-that wicked Gas
parde?''
Gasparde is absent, Rose, and we
must escape ere his return. I will tell
you all when you are once in safety"
Jacques stood at the door, unable. to
suppress his delight on seeing Rose
again, an durging them to hasten. Raj
monde said, briefly:
"You had better use all the speed you
can, you can scarcely get away from
here too soon.''
Thanks, my friend; and here is your
reward" returned Louis. at the same
time placing in the mans hand a we'll
filed purse. "And now, Jacques, let us
be gone.''
They reached the front of the cave.
Stretched on heap of skins, by a glow
ing fire, lay the guard, smoking a short
stemmed pipe and meditating.
''Michel, come with me- said Raj
monde, briefly.
The man rose, indolently, and obeyed.
The cool, damp wind blew across their
faces as they gained the entrance An
involuntary exclamation of Thanksgiving
escaped from the lips Of Rose and Louis.
"We are free-freer' uttered Rose.
with sweet and thrilling solemnity: and
pausing an instant, she bowed her head
| upon her clasped hands.
They parted, Jacques joining the count
| and Rose, to accompany them to the cha
t teau. Louis pushed on, still supporting
| tenderly the young girl at his side. A
| few moments passed, and they were MAX
| ing good progress, when suddenly their
attention was attracted by a sound of
voices at some distance to the right and
| the family discerned forms of persons
| moving through the trees. Jacques paus-
ed and listened.
| ely, monsieur-1yi the men are re-
turning whispered he, suddenly.
"Rose!' murmured Louis, in alarm, ST
must save you, at leastv'
"Hasten-hasten on!' urged jacques;
''there is hollow tree just beyond here
where Mademoiselle Rose can conceal
herself"
They pressed forward silently, but they
| were perceived.
..Yonder-yonder! the third tree on the
rightw whispered jacques, franticalIy;
"hide her. or she is lost1
There were shouts behind; the brigands,
| eight or ten of them, sent back by Gas
| parde, were approaching; they discerned
| the fugitiyes dimly in the gathering dark
ness, and their suspicious were reused.
They commenced pursuit. But they
| pursued only the count and Jacques; for
Louis had gently placed the form Of the
| half-fainting girl within the hollow tree,
and instantly took an opposite direction
| to lead their pursuers away from the
spot. The ruse succeeded; the brigands
| passed the tree.
| With an irrepressible cry of victorious
| joy, Louis FASTENED on, with jacques;
| their evident desire to escape increased
| the suspicious of the approaching party,
who now pressed close upon them. On
on, still, they went; further and further,
nearer to the edge of the forest. But
| the brigands gained on them. Shots were
| fired, too, but they missed their aim
| Monsieur Louis, we shall be takenr'
uttered Jacques, as he made last effort
for life.
And answering not a word, the count,
! turning, fired at one of the men, who had
almost laid his hand on the shoulder of
jacques. The brigand fell. A shout of
vengeance was raised by the pursuers
and they rushed forward with mad haste
"My good fellow, flight is no longer of
use. We must yield. But she is safe!"
said Louis.
He turned to deliver himself up; he
heard cry Of savage joy, felt heavy
| blow, and then lost all consciousness.
xHLa- +bo oo,,r+ -ooovorod b;e