The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1903-12-19

born peasarC, who had no desires, no as.
pirations, above his condition; II you hao
become the bride of such one, ana LOT
saken us and our love and care for yon'
after we have all been so happy here to-
gether, and cast away from you all that
belongs to you in your present positlon;
had suffered that finer mind, those quick
sensibilities, that loftier, that more ele'
waited and refined nature, to mate Wlth
the coarse, gross, blunt composition OF a
mere tiller of the soil, a rude, uncultlVat-
ed peasant, then, my child, confess tha6
It would have been a bitter, bitter thlnS
to me. It would have been the hardest
blow this heart has borne for many
long year, Roser' And his voice grew
husky, and faltered, and the tears, de-
spite his manhood, gathered in his eyes;
II have learned to love you, my darling,
he said, "with fathers affection. hao
little child once, Rose, and lost heF'
You seem to bring to my mind what she
would have been; you grow more AkO
that ideal daily-hourly! You have taken
her place in my heart; you are dear TO
me, Rose, as she would have been!'
He clasped her tenderly to him; ana
the young girl, most deeply touched oy
his words and manner, wept silently up
on his breast.
"But, my child" he continued, when ha
had become calmer, sit was no clown
whom you promised to wed. You have
been always sensible Of that"
"Oh, yes, monsieur she responded
raising her head and speaking earnestly
seriously. robin was different from
those about him. He was better-more
noble than they. He was" She broke
off in the midst Of her words, blushlnS
and. confused at her own animation.
"Nay, my child, you need have no
shame" said the marquis. kindly; this
young man was, indeed, something more
than those whom one is accustomed to
meet in that class to which he was allied.
confess that your preference for him
is no mystery to me, and l do not at all
disapprove of it."
"Ah, how good you are, monsieur
uttered the young girl, gratefully, az
she pressed his hand to her lips.
"It is no merit to me, Rose, that my
own honest convictions force me to ac-
knowledge his superiority, and the good
sense you have displayed in your choice.
And now," he added, while the old
laughing glance shone in his eyes, Il dare
say you are dying with curiosity to know
how / came into possession of all this
knowledge"
Indeed, sir, it is a matter of curiosity
to me-" she answered, frankly.
"What, then, viii you say, if I assure
| you that Robin himself told to me the
greater part of it ali, and that OWNED
! only a very little bitch, Rose?' he ask
ed.
robin, sir? ali, then you have seen
him!' said Rose, with hardly suppressed
| joy.
II have seen him, my child"
| "And lately?"
"Quite lately" he returned, pleased and
amused at her innocent betrayal of de-
| light.
MAY I ask when it was, monsieur"
at was yesterday; nay-I have seen
him as lately as to-day"
To-day? ah, then, he is very near
she said, in a subdued yet joyful tone
and with her eyes bent to the floor, as
in meditation. Suddenly raising them
she asked: where was it, monsieur"
''Too many questions, Rose" laughed
the marquis-"too many questions.
must keep his whereabouts matter Of
secrecy for a short time"
"Ah, monsieur!'' said Rose, gently, and
with pretty air Of depreciation.
Indeed, my dear child, it will do yor
no harm. Wait till tomorrow, only to-
morrow, and l will tell you where he is
nay, more-you shall see him. You will
grant me until then?'
"Willingly."
"NoW you can easily tell how guessed
at the object of your errand thither to
night
"Since Robin told you all about this,
she said, with slight and charming
blush, you must have had little difficulty
in divining my purpose, when, at you
questioning this morning, acknowledged
that it was to say to you something i'm
mediately connected with myself that
desired to meet you here"
Exactly, Rose" said the marquis
gaily. "Well, my darling, we have mad
our confessions-have we not? and the,
were not such terrible confessions, afte
all. Robin, honestly declare to you,
| tIhSS anu dll pIOuu VI. nave luFlLct
him here tomorrow. But, Rose and b
took her hand in his, ''you must not ex
pect to behold the linen blouse and ser
viceable garments in which you wer
probably wont to see him. Robin is n
longer gardener, and, therefore, 70,
must anticipate quite an alteration in hi
personal appearance"
"How?-no longer a gardener, mon
sieur?" iterated Rose, in some surprise.
''No longer, my child; he was offere
an employment Of an entirely differen
character, which he Immediately accept
ed; it was much more congenial to his tai
ents and capabilities, as we'll as to hi
tastes and desires. He is fast rising i
the world, Rose;" and the good marqui
smiled. 'Ah, he will be great mar
some day! You would scarcely recogniz
him now, I'll warrant. Why, child, thi
rustic lover of yours is as great ger
tleman as there is in France this day
The throne itself smiles upon him.
He said So" said Rose, musingly-
che said sold he not? that he shout
rise to honor and preferments an
wealth? Yet how little imagined tina
it would be so soon!'
'Well, you see, have won my dis
monds, Rose" he said, laughingly, "Yo