Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1903-12-08
CHAPTER XVI

There was a talk of the approaching
wedding day. The impatience of Louis
had urged its being fixed at an early pc
riod. He asserted that a delay of three
months would be quite sufficient. His
gay and vivacious yet earnest arguments
were half accepted. The marquis was in
clined to favor them, though it was evil
IDENTIFY with sore struggle. 1t was not
until now that he had realized the full
depth of his affection for Rose. She had
become very dear to him. Her gentle
ness and innocence and goodness of heart,
her childlike loveliness, and more than all,
her likeness to one beloved in by-gone
years, endeared her to the heart of this
second father. He shrunk from speak
ing Of the parting, though he could not
deny to Louis the boon so earnestly
sought.
1t could be seen, by a close observer,
that now, while this discussion was going
on, and one and another laying plans
touching the event, Rose herself said lit
tie. merely giving assent to the various
propositions laid before her, and seeming
to take but passive part in the general
action. There was, too, at times, GER
tain gravity, which might as well have
been called actual sadness, in her de-
meanor, and which could not well be ac
counted for. Gradually it became so evil
dent that it occasioned the deepest un-
easiness in the breast of Louis. He en-
deaVored to draw from her the cause of
it. She seemed disinclined to acquaint
him with the origin of this unusual mood
You are i'll, dear Rose?' he asked,
with lovers solicitude.
Il am not i'll, Louis; indeed, you alarm
yourself unnecessarily"
''Then you are unhappy?
Il am not exactly unhappy, either''
One month of the three had passed
away
''There are but two months now, Rose,"
said the happy young man.
r. And Rose, even as she received the kiss
her lover gave so fondly, turned away to
sigh. He observed it with increased un-
easiness.
my dear uncle" he said to the mar
quis, "what can all Rose? l am sure she
is not quite happy, though she refuses
to admit it,
The marquis did not observe the down.
cast mood of the young girl for the first
time now. He had watched it since it's
commencement, and meditated seriously
and with deep concern on the subject.
At length one day he sent for her to come
to him in the library.
"My dear child,'' he said, 81 must know
the reason and the nature of this gloom
which continually rests upon your spirits.
1t is, as you must be aware, a matter of
some anxiety to me. You do not deny
that, if not precisely unhappy, there is
yet some wish to be granted-some desire
to be fulfilled, which could restore to you
your usual serenity?"
81 will not deny it, monsieur" she re-
turned, quietly and sadly.
"And you will not tell me what it is
this wish? Dear Rose, this reserve
pains me extremely. am sure you would
not wish to cause me a moments dis
quiet, and yet you unconsciously give me
the utmost apprehension. You confide
neither in Helen nor Louis; then / en-
treat you to be, at least, frank with me-
Is it anything which l can do to crafty
you, my childY'
Indeed, scarcely think so," answered
Rose; Il do not think any one here could
bring me what WISH 1t is
Rose, 1 think / know what you wish.
have thought Of it more than once-of
the very subject, doubtless, upon which
you are secretly dwelling at this moment.
You have not seen your father in long
time. You are about to take a most inn
portant step, and you wish to see him,
TO tell him of all this. Is it not SO?