The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1903-12-24
CHATTER XIX.-fContinued.l


and the storm pursued with all possible
haste the road to the chateau. There
was no shelter near. The light form o.
Rose was as nothing in the strong arms
of the marquis. Rapidly he bore hei
along, keeping the folds of his CLOAK
well wrapped about her. =,
1--WE are almost at the village, saln
Francis Egerton, as he supported ms
companion with lovers tenderness thai
met now with no repulse.
For Helen Montauban knew nothing oil
1t. She was saying to herself, rs Rose
dead? Has she escaped me? Am | to
be spared my work at lastW She listen
ed for a sigh--a groan, from the lips oil
that inanimate figure that was borne be-
fore her. No sound was heard from
them. Already, strange fever OF JOY
mingled with the shivering excitement,
the awe, the horror, which Helen Mon
tauban had felt. She never needed the
rain that poured over her in sheeted tor
rents; the wild winds ragged In vain for
her now; they were unheard. She only
longed for light--light, to behold that
childish countenance-to know the truth.
But so near were they to the farm
houses now that no delay was made; the
first one was entered, and Rose placed
upon a couch, while the farmers wives
crowded about, with earnest kindness
and sympathy, to render assistance. But
at the sight Of that pale, quiet face, those
closed eyelids and colorless lips, they
were silent; and some whispered among
themselves, "She Is deadG' while others,
with scarce hope, yet seeking still for
one, worked over the lifeless form. And
without stood the marquis and the Count
de Clairville and Francis Egerton by the
fire in the great farm kitchen, in dread,
silence and suspense.
Helen Montauban and the countess had
entered the chamber where Rose was
laid, and rough yet comfortable garments
were offered them to replace their own
dripping ones. The countess was already
making this welcome and really neces-
sary change; but Helen Montauban,
thrustng them from her, pressed to the
couch.
"Stand asidew she said to the woman.
Anu sue khtll uoWu lueie W lVVh At IhaI
pallid face, round which the dripping
chestnut curls were lying in shining
masses. Once those white lips parted
reddened.
"See-see. she lives-she breathes" ut
tered one of the women, In an eager,
tremulous tone, subdued almost to
whsper-"she livesw
ut Is a lie" muttered Helen Montau-
ban, between those beautiful shut teeth.
A moment elapsed. The women gath
ered with glad, excited, hopeful eyes,
about the couch-those poor, simple, hon
est-hearted peasant women, praying for
that young life, whose slender thread one
among them would so gladly have seen
broken. And fercely watched that one,
with a burning glance, heart that stood
all but still. 1t was no lie!
Slowly those lovely eyes Enclosed, and
rested upon the glad, smiling faces gath
cred about the couch. There was no rec
ognition In them at first; but presently,
meeting the anxious glance of the good
countess, who bent over her, she sighed
family, and putting her hand to her head,
whispered, 20, yes; remember-I re-
member noww
Helen Montauban was gone In an ad-
Joining chamber she removed the satu-
rated garments she had worn, and sub
stituted for them the apparel sent from
the chateau by a domestic; then proceed
ing to the kitchen, Joined her father and
his companions, who had just learned
that Rose had revived. The head of the
marquis was bowed, his face buried in
his hands. The emotion of gratitude he
felt at the bringing back of that young
life almost oyercame him.
The night passed and morning broke,
clear and still above the earth where so
lately all had been commotion. The voice
of the tempest had died away in silence.
Broad and fair the sunlight shone above
the pleasant valley. They bore Rose
with gentleness and care back to the cha
teau. She was quite i'll, almost unable
to move a limb from weakness. The in
juries that others had escaped, she had
received; and from being so long exposed
to the storm, there was every reason to
believe that serious consequences would
ensue
And the apprehension was justified.
During the day her indisposition increas-
ed, and at night, feverish and delirious.
she tossed upon her couch, with a wild
brilliancy in those soft eyes, and
scorchlng flush upon her beautiful cheek.
1t was pitiful to hear her wandering
words, and listen to the incoherent ming
lingS ~ corpovy and iav In -. ,..tl
lirium. The marquis looked upon her
once, and then turned away with stream
ing eyes from the room, to seelude him
self in the library, where he passed the
night in watchings. The Count Frederic
and Francis Egerton remained till dawn
in the saloon. Every domestic In the
chateau kept vigil during those long and |
hours; for not an eve could |
Hose in slumber. Helen Montauban and |
The countess had their post in that sick
beside the couch Of the sick |
girl, who recognized neither of them. All |
night long she raved, and the flush burn |
ed strong and steady on her cheek. and |
the lightning's fash was not more brill |
liant than the fire scintillating from those
dark eyes.
Slowly the leaden night hours waxed |
and wanedi and Helen Montauban sat
beside the pillow of Rose, regardless of |
slumber. The countess, sitting by the
hre, still wept and prayed in silence. The |
doctor came to the bedside.
You need rest, mademoiselle, he said;
cannot l prevail upon you to retire and |
snatch a few hours repose while watch |
herer The fatigue and exposure Of last
night, though no present III effects are |
felt from them, may be productive of
evil consequences, il your nerves continue
thus overtaxed."
Your pardon" returned Helen, In cold |
and quiet tones, "but | anticipate no un-
pleasant results from our adventure of
last night; and you must be conscious
that, even If such were not the case, l |
should find it impossible to sleep now. / |
must remain here"
"Ah-wellg' sighed the good old man:
IF you are fully determined on this, it |
must be so; and trust all win be we'll"
He sat down by the bed, leaned his /
head on bis hand and fixed a thoughtful
Ind sorrowful glance upon the feverish
turned towards him on the
pillow. Rose looked at him with her
Wild, bright. piteous gaze.
"Wherp i s,uis 80 sha oaAad. uxrh,-s