The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1903-10-15

Why, then, | must take it"
Must you? There are two words to
that bargain, my man,
1t was a light form that sprang out of
the thicket by the wayside; a resolute
voice that uttered these words: a grace
full arm with iron force that laid the ras-
cal, at one stroke, PROSTATE on the earth.
And Gasparde, lying at the feet of his
assailant was almost insane with rage.
He had seen that form, heard that voice,
felt the weight of that arm, to his cost
before.
And Count Louis stood there quietly,
as Gasparde rose again to his feet, shak-
ing his clenched hand with muttered
menaces, and seemingly inclined to re-
turn the attack.
Come, you want some more, my fine
fellow, think" said the gentleman. IF
that is the case, l can finish you as well
now as any time. You deserve a sound
thrashing, and | am quite willing to adj
minister it. Are you ready to receive it,"
The man gave a vengeful glance, an
other warning with that clenched hand,
and, turning, walked rapidly down the
ascent, without uttering a word.
The count looked after him an instant,
and then joined Rose, who, with blended
fear and interest, had watched this brief
scene.
"Ah, monsieur, 1 thank you very
much!' she said, gratefully, as he add
vanced towards her.
and I am very glad that l happened
to be near" he returned, with frank
smile, ito chastiSe the insOlent fellow.
Why, he was over-bold, Rose! Who is
he?"
"A worthless cousin of mine mon
sieur," replied Rose, "who has under
taken to annoy me occasionally of late.
l hope his well-deserved punishment will
teach him better manners for the fu-
ture"
Il hope so; but it will be best to be-
ware of him now. You must keep, as
much as possible, out of his way"
THAT | have always done, monsieur.
But he has never been so daring before"
Il think heard him mention me, Rose.
What did he say?" asked the young
count.
Rose Lamonte blushed slightly, as she
replied.
'He said that you should never come
to the cottage again"
"Ah, yes; | heard it; remember now.
And he knew of my visit by the foot
prints? He must have been watching
me closely Yet, where could he have
seen me? / only completed the journey
from Lyons last night"
The good marquis was standing on the
terrace steps as they went up.
Good morning, my child" he said,
kindly to Rose. "Out so early with your
roses?'
She smiled.
Yes, monsieur; and they are very fine
ones. See!"
Yes, indeed. And you have brought
a rare supply of them. But, after ALL
you will carry back more than you bring.
Your walk has done you good, | see;"
and he smilingly stroked her danask
cheek, to which the exercise. and little
excitement together, had indeed brought
the sweetest of roses.
Coloring still more deeply, our heroine
with laughing eyes, ran up the steps, and
disappeared within the entrance of the
chateau.
The young count related to his uncle
the incident which had occurred during
his mornings ramble. The good marquis
listened with interested attention, and
strongly evinced sympathy.
THE rascal" he said, Indignantly, as
he heard of Gasparde's rudeness. Il am
glad you gave him a suitable correction.
That fellow marry Rose!'
1T is to be supposed that her father
will resent his insoence.'
90 neutrality-suspicious. Louis.
He is a stern man, that Hugh Lamonte,
and will teach Gasparde his business af-
ter this. He is a strange, stern man, ST.
lent and reserved, and almost hermit,
as one might say. He seldom leaves
home; works in his little garden, and tills
the thrifty patch of soil adjoining it from
morning Till night, or cuts in the forest
the wood which is to serve for his win
ter's fuel, and often load to carry to
the town on market days, with the pro-
duce from his land, as may not be requir-
ed for his own use. He has, think, no
enemies; vet he seems disinclined to court
the friendship of any, though the few
neighbors about him, among the farm
houses, are kindly disposed toward him,
and every one of them loves little Rose.
He is apart from them-a distant charac-
ter
"And peculiar one, from your descrip-
ton"
Precisely. He lives a peasants life,
and wears a peasants garb, and yet he
can assume-ay, and he does, at times,
the bearing of a very king. The humility
of his position is. belied by the spirit and
demeanor of the man. He is uncommuni-
cative, distant, almost naughty, toward
all others to his child, he is the tender
est, most affectionate of parents"
you interest me. uncle. How long
have you known this man"
HE came into the neighborhood some