The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1903-09-24

with gentle and graceful courtesy as she
did so:
"Will monsieur be pleased to enter?
He is very welcome"
And closing the door again as he came
in. she conducted him into a large and
comfortable room and exceedingly neat
looking withal. There was no person ex-
cept themselves there.
A sharp gust of wind and rain beat
against the easement, and he saw the girl
look involuntarily in that direction with
a half sigh and an air Of apprehension
solicitude.
perhaps mademoiselle has friends who
are exposed to this storm" suggested
Louis.
"Yes, monsieur, my father, who has
been absent all day. He should have re-
turned much earlier than this, but, doubt
less, he will come home soon. He went
to the market this morning. l am sorry
he is not here to welcome you"
A little silence ensued, when the fair
hostess drew spinning wheel towards
her. and, sitting down by the hearth, be-
gan to work quietly but industriously,
ployment to respond to some observation
of her guest; while Louis, on his part,
studied at leisure her sweet and some
what thoughtful countenance, followed,
with pleased interest, the glanclng mo-
ton of those snowy little hands, and
wondered to himself how graceful bios
som like this could ever have sprung up
and fourished in peasants home.
The rain and wind beat furiously about
the little cottage, increasing the sense of
comfort within, and blending it's sound
curiously with his reflections, as Louis
sat there by the hearth, opposite to his
hostess, and thinking how exQuisitely
pretty she was, and wondering what her
father was like, envying him, at one mo-
ment for being the father of so lovely
child, and the next, thinking that, much
as they might love each other, he was
very glad that he was not her father.
While she, working busily, kept her littlt
wheel whirring, whirring-and now and
then slightly turning her fair head with
an intent look, as if listening for the foot
steps that did not come, or lifting her
beautiful eyes to her guests face as he
spoke to her, and answering him in those
ouiet. pleasant tones that Louis could
not help thinking the sweetest in the
world, until the wind died away and the
rain ceased, and Louis could not but say,
as he looked out from the easement upon
the narrow road that wound across the
fields, and among the distant hills, to his
uncle's chateau, that it was time for him
to depart.
Have you far to go, monsieur?' she
asked, putting aside her wheel and rls-
ing.
ACROSS the hills yonder; half league,
perhaps" Louis answered; las far as
the Chateau de Montauban. You know
the old chateau?"
eyes, indeedv' she replied, with a pref
ty smile, and slight blush. Il go there
every day to carry flowers to Mademoi-
selle Helen. And l think you are
she hesitated, and blushed more deeply,
while her glance wavered and fell before
that of Louis. The poor child was asham-
ed of having half guessed who he was.
81 am Louis d'Artois. the cousin Of
Mademoiselle Helen" he supplied. "And
now, mayH not know to whom am in
debted for the hospitality l have receiv-
ed. that 1 may, at least, return thanks
for it?'
my name is Rose Lamonte, monsieur"
"Indeed!" he said, kindly. Il have
heard my cousin speak of you, then, as
well as her father. You and l are not
quite strangers after all, Rose. l am
much obliged to you for your kindness to
me tonight. l shall not soon forget it. y
Goodnight, monsieur" she returned,
quietly.
The moon shone one moment full upon
the gentle face and pretty figure OF his
cottage hostess as he took one last glance,
and then he had closed the. door. The
landscape was peaceful and, withal, beau
tiful, as he glanced over it; field, wood
and hill lay calm and quiet all around.
The air was still, and the silvery beams
| of the moon shone fair upon the scene,
while some light cloud, at intervals,
| crossed her sweet face, and reflected
passing shadow upon the quiet earth be-
| low. How different this scene from that
| of two hours before! Louis could hardly
realize the violent contest he had had, as
he rode along in the silence now.
| Go be continued
The Sea Lawyers Speech.