Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1903-09-29
! The COntrabandiSt;;
T One Life'S Secret!
CHAPTER Iv.-(Continued.)

she had brought the first of the rare
white roses which had opened in the
warm sunshine on her favorite tree. She
was continuing her way, when shadow
fell across the sunlit path, and startled
her. Raising her head, she beheld her
cousin Gasparde.
"Good morning, Mademoiselle Rose"
he said.
Carelessly and briefly she returned his
salutation, and was hurrying on to es-
cape from his unwelcome presence, when
he laid his hand on her arm.
"Stop a moment, Cousin Rose; / wanr
to ask you a question. / came over to
the cottage a moment ago, and found
neither your father nor yourself at home.
l wanted to see him on business. l
caught sight of you coming along the road
here, and so hurried on to overtake you
to ask you where he is"
HE is at the house of neighbor An
tome, / believe" answered Rose, coldly;
lat least, he said he was going there. But
let me go, if you please, Gasparde," and
she slipped her arm away from his hand,
whose lightest touch was disagreeable
to her-"let me go; am in a great hurry.
/ am going to the chateau"
30, are your he said, coldly; 'then l
will accompany you as far as neigrbor
AntOine's, where may meet your faith
er. 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 a long while.
Rose was in dread lest the subject of dis
cussion which had arisen between them
the night before should be renewed. But
he kept on, whistling and meditating by
turns, without recurring to it; and hop
ing, 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.
t'They say the Count d'Artois has ar
rived at the chateau" he remarked.
Rose was silent, though she saw some
rejoinder was expected.
81 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 a
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
parde's 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 ?''
for he was determined, by direct ques-
ton, to make her speak to him.
II think you are very wicked and very
disagreeable,' she answered plainly, 'in
pulling other peoples characters to
pieces, and a gossip who NEEDLES with
other peoples affairs. Fie 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 vexation caused by her sharp reproof; !;
"hut coming from such pretty lips, new
er could take them for earnest in the
world. Do you know, Cousin Rose, 1
have heard it said that woman ever
treats worst the man she best likes; so
l take your hard handling for so many
compliments, and feel quite fattered by
them"
Rose grew little paler; but she neith-
er looked at nor answered him. And still
she hurried on, glad that she was SO near
the end of her walk, for she had almost
reached the ascent TO the chateau.
"Well, COUSIN" said Gasparde, 81 hope
you have thought better of the offer
which / made to you last night"
''No, nor ever shall" she answered, res
olutely, though with a slight tremulous-
ness Of tone.
''That is a great pity; for am resolv-
ed to have you, at all events, my dear,
so you need not be shy. And now,
there is another question still, Rose 1
suppose you haven't seen this rascally
young count of whom we have been
speaking"
There was sneer in his tone. His
evil glance, in a sidelong direction, scam
ned the young girls countenance.
80, you won't tell, eh p he said. 'I
suppose if I should ask a closer question,
I might get you to talk. Was he at the
cottage last night, or this morning?'
ST will not tell you," she uttered, trem-
bling in every limb with fear and indig-
nation. And she attempted to spring up
the path; but he seized her hand and
prevented her.
''Not SO fast, my dear. I must keep
you q little longer. Listen, now. I
know he was there, although you have
been very careful not to tell me; for the
tracks of q horses feet and q gentle
mans boots are in the soil outside, the
latter belonging to the count, / am pref
ty sure. l have his measure. But he
won't come there again, mind thati Now,
my pretty cousin, you may give me
kiss"
"Gasparde, let me go!" she cried, in
terror and disgust, as he held her hand.
80, you won't give me one, will you?
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; 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