The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1903-10-24
The COntrabandiSt;|
One Life's Secret!
cuApTER Iv.-(ContinuedD

Tho loved them, too. This morning
a an had brought the first OF the rare
sIs roses which had opened in the
WV" nrn sunshine on her favorite tree. She
MS,'' Continuing her way, when a. shadow
t.u across the sunlit path, and startled
, rar Raising her head, she beheld her
cousin Gasparde. ;,
'O Wood morning, Mademoiselle Rose"
he said. IT,
~ carelessly and briefly she returned his
..Imtotion, and was hurrying on to es-
cane from his unwelcome presence when
ba laid his hand on her arm.
"Ston A moment, Cousin Rose; want
), osk YOU a question. came over to
tho cottage a moment ago, and found
naitbpr YOUR father nor yourself at home.
7 wanted to see him on business.
oougbt sight of you coming along the road
hore, and SO hurried on to oyertake you
70 ask you where he is"
"He is at the house of neighbor An
toine | believe" answered Rose, coldly;
aot least, he said he was going there. But
lat me 20, if you please, Gasparde," and
she slipped her arm away from his hand,
whose highest touch was disagreeable
N ber-"Iet me co. am in a great hurry.
I am going to the chateau"
20, are you?" he said, coldly; "then l
will accompany you as far as neigrbor
Aptoines, where l may meet your faith
or One always likes company on so
lonely a road as this"
He walked on by her side, whistling
some gay air from time to time; but he
did not speak again for long while.
Rose was In dread lest the subject of dis
cusson which had arisen between them
the night before should be renewed. But
be kept on, whistling and meditating by
turns, without recurring to it; and hop
ina, as they went on, that he did not
mean to trouble her with it again, she
began to feel somewhat relieved.
At length, however, he stopped whist
ling and glanced down at his compan-
ions face.
"They say the Count d'Artois has ar
rived at the chateau" he remarked.
Rose was silent, though she saw some
rejoinder was expected.
u suppose there will be gay doings
there now" he went on, seeing that she
did not mean to speak; "for the count
Is gay man, and not a very good one,
either" he added, maliciously, though
he knew nothing whatever Of the counts
character. People tell that he Is q
great spendthrift."
Yet Rose was silent, though her cheeks
grew hotter. 1t was nothing to her what
character the gentleman might bear;
for was she not almost an utter stranger
to him? But she had seen him, and con-
ceiVed good opinion Of him, and she
was ashamed and indignant at Gas
paroles mischievous, ill-natured remarks.
Report says, too," continued Gas
parde, that he is about to marry his
beautiful cousin, Mademoiselle Helen.
The contract was made years ago. What
do you think of all that, Cousin Rose 2"
for he was determined, by direct ques-
tlOn to make her speak to him.
Il think you are very wicked and very
disagreeable,' she answered plainly, 'in
pulling other peoples characters to
Pleces, and gossip who NEEDLES with
other peoples affairs. File on you, Gas
parde! | am ashamed of you;" and she
hurried on.
Hard words-hard words, Mademoi-
selle," said Gasparde, speaking in care
less tone, and biting his lips to conceal
the Ve1ation caused by her sharp reproof;
nut coming from such pretty lips, l new
er could take them for earnest in the
world. Do you know, Cousin Rose, l
nave heard it said that a woman ever
treats worst the man she best likes; SO
take your hard handling for so many
compliments, and feel quite hattered by
them"
nose grew a little paler; but she neith-
CT looked at nor answered him. And still
sne hurried on, glad that she was so near
Tue END of her walk, for she had almost
reached the ascent to the chateau.
WE'LL cousin" said Gasparde, IL hope
you nave thought better OF the offer
which l made to you last night"
NO, nor ever SHALL" she answered, res
Olutely, though with slight tremulous-
ness Of tone.
mat is great pity; for I am resolv-
eu TO have you, at all events, my dear,
90 you need not be shy. And now,
tneFe is another question still, Rose. l
suppose you haven't seen this rascalIy
Young count Of whom we have been
speakingY
mere was sneer in his tone. His
evi, glance in a sidelong direction, scan
He ~ the young girls countenance.
" you won't tell, eh?" he said. 81
suppose II should ask closer question,
=. hllsnt get you to talk. Was he at the
sV ~ last night, or this morningY'
IL Will not tell you," she uttered, trem-
Unns IN every limb with fear and indig-
nation. And she attempted to spring IN
O PAIN; but he seized her hand and
prevented her.
MOI 50 fast, my dear. l must keep
iOu little longer. Listen, now. |
h hnO" ne was there, although you have
"soI very careful not to tell ME: for the
r m"CAS or a horses feet and a gentle
inta u boots are in the soil outside, the
~ CT belonging to the count, am pref
Sou sure l have his measure. But he
NJ" mUu I come there again, mind that! Now,
tis, pretty cousin, you may give me a
torr n"Sparde, let me go! she cried, in
~ ~ ana disgust, as he held her hand.
WV ~! you won't give me one, will you
~ ~ men, | must take it."
that SS yonT There are two words to
T. bargain, my manp'
tbo wa was light form that sprang out of