Condon globe. (Condon, Gilliam Co., Or.) 189?-1919, 1903-10-01
CHAPTER v


with his fair cousin. Helen Montauban
and evidently prepared for a stroll ID
search OF amusement. judging from the
gun aud sketch book he carried.
Away 50 early, Louis" asked Made
moiselie Montauban.
Even 10, Helen. | am going TO spend
an hour In converse with Dame Nature,
whom have 80 sadly neglected since
came here, that scarcely dare look her
ln the face. An hour, and perhaps two;
In proportion TO the variety Of the enter.
tainment which fnd."
Then. II that IL the case" returned
Helen, In her calm, silver tones--''lf that
II the case, we shall hardly see you again
till night fall, You will find no lack Of
amusement. ~ you may declare yourself,
II you have not forgotten your former
visits hither; though they have been few
enough, confess"
20, | know there Is no neighb0rhood
more beautiful than this In the country"
responded Louis. But an for extending
my wanderlngs 10 the borders OF the
night, that would not be quite to my
fancy. | shall be back here before noon.
tide"
'That Is well And pray. Louis" she
added, with impressible earnestness--
pray do not go too deep into the forest.
Remember your adventure there not sew
en- days since"
Lightly he touched his lips 10 her fair
hand, and, turning, descended the sloping
path that wound irregularly down the
height.
A slight blush rose 10 her beautiful
check, as her glance followed, for an In.
stants space, the handsome figure OF the
young count; and il deepened when he
looked back, and seeing her still stand.
Ing there, waved his hand TO her. Hast.
lily she left the spot. and re-entering the
chateau, seated herself In the saloon by
window, at her embroidery. Here, put
ting the drapery aside.e she could observe
the recedlng figure OF her cousin while
pursuing. with slow and thoughtful fin-
gers, her fayorite employment, until
Louis had disappeared from sight, aud
there was no outward attraction to break
the r0se-hued thread Of meditation that
wove itself 10 and out among the cluster
ing buds AMI leaves expundtug into IRE
HAA0NN ava Ad3&MAt bNNAGAs II uE ttNttIulN WAS
In the library among his books. lost 10
the exterior world, and wrapt In learned
lore. Helen had no companion save her
own meditations; but they were sufficient
entertainment for one like her.
Louis continued to follow the main road
leading from the chateau past the vii
lage, and onward to where II reached the
forest, branching on into two distinct
paths, one of which wound on through
the forest. and the other skirted II to the
left. His mornings work was before
him. Turning his attention 10 the beau
ties OF the quiet scenery about him, Louis
paused now and then along the path, to
add some charming sketch to the collee-
tion OF fine drawings In his book. remem-
bering his cousins peculiar taste, and Sc
lecting such points as he knew would best
please her And wandering slowly still,
he came at last within sight OF the little
dwelling Of his pretty friend Rose.
Then Louis thought OF the wish which
he had expressed to her. The cottage
was at distance yet: he wished to gain
4 more distinct view OF 1t. Perhaps no
should discover Rose herself seated at the
door, and his scene already laid out for
him.
He fastened forward. The turn in the
path Was soon reached, and the half-hid-
den cottage was In full sight now; and
yes, there sat Rose at the door, working
with her needle. He paused a moment
20 contemplate the scene. This little
cottage, or farm house. so rude and plain
In exterior, yet discovered to him through
that open doorway, where the morning
sun shOne In so softly, one Of the prettiest
pictures In the world. Rose was looking
so lovely that Louis hastened to com
mence his sketch. Yet nearer view
was needed; and, silently as possible, he
moved forward, so as to trace her fea-
lures distinctly, and at the same time to
avoid disturbing her. Rapidly, and with
grace and vividness of touch that did
justice to Its present subject, Louis work
ed, It was the loveliest picture he had
attempted that day, and he enjoyed It.
Not many minutes was he In completing
II, and then he. advanced with quiet
step up the pathway to the door.
Hut Rose Lamonte was as busy with
her thoughts as with her needle, and she
did not hear the'appEoachihg footstep. 1t
was not until the shadow Of the young
mans form fell across the sill that she
was aroused from her reverle. She looked
up then, and started with some slight sur.
prise on beholding the count Immedi-
ately recovering herself, however, she
welcomed him with smile and hastened
to offer him seat.
He accepted 1t. and sat down near her.
He had met Rose but twice before; vet It
was in such circumstances that the awk
wardness and constraint of first acQuaint-
ance was In measure unknown to them,
and It was the easiest thing in the world
to fall into conversation now. He almost
forgot that their acquaintance was Of 60
recent date. indeed
Where Is your father, Rose, this morn
lngi" he asked, at frst. II hoped to see
him,yE ~
II am sorry he Is not here, monsieur" !"
returned the young girl. "But be went
to the forest, something more than an
hour ago, to gather roots for me, and
do not know how soon he will come back.
/ suppose that monsieur 10 marquis and
Mademoselle Helen are well to-dayf"
sQuite well, Rose. You have not been
up to the chateau since last week,
thinkT
mo. l do not think / have stayed
away from there for 80 many days to-
gether in all the years since we came
here. 1t seems a strange thing to In
quire after them," said Rose, looking up.
'Afy uncle and Helen were mentioning
It yesterday rejoined Louis. "They in
tend sending for you tomorrow"