Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1903-10-20

CORVALLIS, b
confident In his sincerity, was almost
sorry that her father treated him SO un-
graciously. She had some curiosity to
know what could be his business with her
father; but that was impossible. They
remained in the garden for some time
perhaps half an hour; then both re-enter-
ed, Hugh saying to his companion:
"Well-well; come again tomorrow,
and, meanwhile, will think about it. !"
''That will do" returned Gasparde.
And as he crossed the room to the oppo-
site door, he nodded to Rose, saying, re-
spectfully: "Good morning, cousin"
Good morning. Gasparde," she re-
sponded, as he went out.
When Hugh had shut the door and
come back into the room, Rose could not
but see that he was more thoughtful and
gloomy than before. All day he preserv-
ed the same moody air; and Rose was
unhappy, alike in being unable to divine
the cause of his increased perplexity and
trouble, or to alleviate it. He had not
yet made any allusion to the object Of the
marquis recent visit; but she knew that
he was thinking of it continually. She
knew, however, that she should only an
noy him by seeming to notice his mystic
rious detection, and so she became silent:
In the afternoon, Robin came as usual,
after his days work was done, and Rose
even persuaded herself that he, too, seem
ed somewhat serious. He weat out into
the garden with her father, ana thence to
the field; and she could see them standing
there, as if talking together, for long
time. They did not work as usual. At
length, however. they left their post and
came slowly up through the garden. They
were conversing still.
what is it about, I wonder" asked
the young girl, mentally.
The two entered. Robin did not speak; /;
but Hugh advanced straight to Rose.
Rose he said, gently, "here is our
good neighbor Robin, who wishes to mar
ry you. What do you say to itT'
Wishes to marry me?' iterated the
young girl, faltering and blushing.
Exactly. Is it not sufficiently plain"
Rose was silent, her eyes cast down to
the floor, and her fair cheek reddening
still deeper. The tears fast gathered In
her eyes. Robin wished to marry her.
Hugh turned away, and, with folded
arnS, paced the fooH hoDln came 10
her side.
Dear Rose" he said, softly, taking
her hand, "your father has told you what
I have asked him. 1t is true that wish
to marry you, if you are willing. I did
not think you disliked me. Will you show
me that you do not?
She did not answer, but sat with her
eyes still cast down, and her hand in his.
- ~,
"that | am asking a great deal. came
here only few weeks ago, and I was
stranger. I came seeking for work, and
found it. [ am poor, and have yet no
home of my own, but that trust to have
some day. I love you, Rose, and ask
you if you will promise to marry me
when I am rich enough to buy a little
farm of my own"
"But-my father!" she hesitated, rails
ing her eyes sorrowfully, as she thought
of his loneliness. sNo-no; cannot leave
himr'
Rose" said Hugh, turning to her, "the
future is not in your hands. Do not think
of me. II you love Robin sufHciently well
to marry him, answer him at once. All
will be well.''
'sThen will marry you, Robin" she
said in a low tone.
''You will forget that am poor, and a
stranger?'
ST do not need to forget it,, her
answer. And her glance of timid, afz
fectionate confidence was raised to his.
He bent forward with thrill Of mex
pressible delight, and pressed his lips to
those Of the blushing girl.
"And you will never break your prom
ise, though you should meet with trial
and temptation and dangerT'
''No; never-never, Robin; But why
do you fea>and what?'
II cannot tell you, Rose. But it will
be long time before we can marry, per-
haps; for I will not ask you to share my
lot with me until I have risen higher
far higher than I am now. And no one
knows what may happen in that time. 1t
will be long time," he continued, after
while; "but 1 shall be patient; for I
want to rise to something better than l
am now, Rose. You are too good to mar
ry a farmer, or a gardener. For your
sake, 1 shall strive to render myself
something higher than either"
''You need not be better than you are,
Robin" said the girl, gently.
''But l mean to become more worthy
of you, nevertheless" was his rejoinder.
And now Hugh Lamonte turned to
them
'Since this is done,' he. said, 81 give
you both my blessing. Rose, my child"
and he laid his hand solemnly on her fair
head. .be true to Robin until he comes
to claim you, and you will be rewarded" !"
There was moment of deep silence.
The young lover bent down, and tenderly
kissed his betrothed bride, from whose
gentle eyes the tears stole down.
And through the opposite easement
glared and cleaned a pair Of 6endish
eyes upon that little group. The brig
and-lover, Gasparde, had heard every
word-witnessed every look and action
within. They did not see him; they did
not hear the bitter curses Kissed through
his shut teeth, nor mark the clenched
hand that menaced them.
(To be continued.)