The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1903-11-26
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CHAPTER XIV.

from her couch at dawn, ana her near
beat faster, and her cheeks flushed WIN
q deepersred, and her sweet hazel eyes
sparkled with happy excitement as sns
sat before her mirror. The oiue-eyeu
Finette was In raptures.
Rose had hardly thought, during the
absence of Robin, that she could ne 30
deeply excited by the news OF MS antici,
pated return; but she was too oVerJoyeu
to remain quiet single moment. Al
breakfast, it was impossible for her 70
eat; and the remarks everywhere mace
concerning the sudden Improvement IN
her appearance, as well as on her SUD
den and contradictory loss Of appetite
increased the tinge of crimson that al
ready glowed in her young cheek.
One thing detracted from her other
wise perfect happiness. Louis had ex-
cused himself from appearing. She had
scarcely seen him the night before, after
leaving the library, and then he had Deen
unusually quiet, communlng with MIN
self during the entire evening; ana ne
was absent this morning. She longed 70
see him-to hear him speak, that she
might know he was not offended with
her; for she remembered the interview
between them; and might not the abrupt
ness-the violence, perhaps, OF her man
ner, unconscious though It was, have
wounded him? Yes; despite the tender
ness Of that silent parting, How her
pulse qulckened at the remembrance OF
his embrace! She could but sigh.
II wonder at what time | shall see
Robin2 soiloquized the young girl.
"Will monsieur lie marquis call me into
the library, | wonder? Or will the meet
ing take place here among all these peo-
pie? Where is RobinT was her next
restless inQuiry-an inquiry which she
had started a thousand times, and as
matter Of course, in vain, since the pre-
vious evening; "snd where is i that mon
sleur lie marquis has seen him so often OF
lateT
Her queries were interrupted by observ-
ing suddenly that the marquis was about
to leave the apartment.
"Ah he has not said a word to me-.
meditated Rose. HE tantalizes me. VIII
he not come back and speak-only three
words? Will he not even look at me,
that may understand-that | may know
whether Robin is coming soOn|
But he neither spoke, turned nor gave
her a single glance. Yet there was some
thing, despite his evident care, which be-
trayed in his countenance the sympathy
he felt with Rose. He went out. The
Count de Clairville talked, aside, with his
wife. Helen Montaubnn, at a distant
window, sat calmly at her embroidery
Lord Egerton bent over her, and spoke
from time to time, some words, which, il
their effect had been noted, might have
been seen, ever and anon, to be followed
by a deeper mantling Of color In the fall
cheek Of the lady, though she scarcely
seemed pleased, either. Anon the younl
man toysd and trifed with the gorgeous
silks that lay in a tangled mass Of rain
bow bloom In the tiny basket by Helen'I
side; and then his glance rested on he
face with an expression difficult to be de
fined, though at times it was clearly on
of unhappiness and disappointment.
But Rose, albeit she glanced towards
the pair more than once, hardly took not
Of these things. She could only thinl
of the marquis, Of Robin, and of the an
ticipated meeting. She was restless-un
easy. From one employment to anothe
she turned, without being able to settl
her attention undoubtedly upon any In
dividual thing. Suddenly mademoisell
called, gently:
"Rose, come hither a moment"
The young girl advanced towards tn
window.
"You wish to speak with me, Helen7 ?
she asked.
II have been telling Lord Egerton o
some favorite books of his which are Il
the library" returned Mademoiselle Mon
tauban, carelessly. "Will you have tn
kindness, Rose, to help him find them
He will tell you their titles"
"Cruel Helenw murmured Francis Eg
erton, reDroachfully, as he glanced at be
quiet face before turning away.
mot So my lord" she answered, in tn
same Tone without lifting her eyes.
At that instant domestic entered, an
coming directly to Rose, informed he
that monsieur le marquis desired to Sc
her Immediately in the library.
The young girls heart bounded violent
".
II am going now" she answered; an
yet she paused.
Francis Egerton glanced back at He
en-, with an air, half Of triumph, half @
sorrow, which said plainly. "You Sc
your unkind artiice TO repel me avail
you nothing. Why will you persist /
this conduct-this treatment Of me?"
Mademolselle Montauban saw the looE
and read 1t easily; but she never ono
changed countenance, and her eyes wer
Instantly fixed on her embroidery agaiI
Lord Egerton turned to Rose:
''You are going, mademoiselle?"
"Yes--now." She gathered courage
she would not look up In her companion
face, but hastily proceeded to meet tn
marquis.
Francis accompanied her as far as tn
library door, and then leaving her, return
cd directly to Helen.
But Rose, even though her hand reste
upon the fastening OF the door, had, {
first, scarcely the courage to pass in. 81
hesitated and trembled, but finally, laugl
ing at herself for a little coward, 81
quietly entered. The marquis stood
the further end of the apartment,
company with a gentleman-a strange
and both had their faces turned from Il
door. They had not heard her come 4
She paused an instant longer, and locke
about her No other person was In Il
room. Robin, then. was not here. 81
had half expected, she hardly knew VIII
to see him at this moment, and she sig
ed. The marquis still continued his CO
versation with the stranger. This pc
son, who was richly yet plainly attir,
In a suit of deep black, with a short eloI
of sable velvet dropping from his shot
ders. held In one hand a pen and a smi
portfolio Of papers: the other rested I
the table beside him, supporting him.
he leaned forward towards the marqu
Suddenly the latter. aroused by sor
movement Of Rose, turned and beheld h
and Immediately, after whispering q 81
gle word to his companion. advanced
meet the young girl There was an ar
smile on his countenance as he bent dov
to kiss her.
Rose. my pet" he said, simply, ''yo
der is Robin; 80 and meet him." And
passed her directly. leaving the aps
ment and closing the &Oor behind him.