Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1903-10-13
CHAPTER VI.

CHAPTER VI.
A month passed. Louis had intended
to leave the chateau at the expiration Of
a month. 1t went by, but still he fingered;
and, as he had no pressing business else
where, he said to himself that the sum-
mer might wear away as well here as in
places where he might not like so well to
stay. So he was in no hurry to depart.
Time passed very pleasantly at the
chateau. A great portion of his days was
passed indoors, in the society of his un-
Gle and his beautiful cousin Helen; and
the remainder was spent in the open air,
in the pursuit of his favorite amuse-
ments. Louis was as fond of sketching
as ever, and nearly every morning he
might have been seen rowing about the
neighborhood in search of food for his
pencil, as we have already seen him, re-
turning at noon, to display to Mademoi-
selle Montauban the result of his labor;
though, on the first occasion Of this kind,
it must be allowed that the exhibition of
his sketches was subjected to some slight
reserve, the picture Of Rose and her
dwelling being withheld. For what rea-
son, however, he himself, perhaps, scarce
ly knew at the time.
He had seen Rose two or three times
since that visit, both at the chateau and
at the cottage, where he had met her
father also. The admiration of Louis
for our pretty heroine certainly was by
no means on the decrease; while Hugh
Lamonte was an enigma to him. The pc
culiarity of this mans appearance and
manners was a matter Of no little per-
plexity to him as to others. The gravity
and reserve of Hugh were SO many sub
jects of mystery. But it was mystery
not likely soon to be solved. Nobody
knew anything concerning him previous
to the time of his coming to occupy his
present abode. His former place of res
idence was unknown. Conjecture had
done her best, and the mystery remained
a mystery still.
Louis often spoke with his uncle on
this subject. The good marquis could
only shake his head in perple1ity.
"Hs is q strange man, that is all l
can say, my dear boy" said he; "and
yet there is something about him which
attracts me. That lofty sternness which
he sometimes wears strikes one most
strangely. I never observe it without
thinking Of"
'Of what, monsieur" asked Louis.
"Of my-of Henri-your uncle, my boy.
We Quarreled once, he and I, and he
wore just that look and manner after
ward. You never saw him, Louis" And
the good marquis sighed.
What was the reason Of the quarrel,
uncleY' asked Louis.
''It is long story. 1 cannot tell you
now" was the answer; 'but, some day,
perhaps, I will relate it to you."
It was no uncommon thing now for
Louis to encounter Jacques Leroux now,
in his usual strolls about the neighbor-
hood. They often met; and the young
count, feeling an interest in this rough,
but evidently honest-hearted fellow, who
had taken pains to render him a service,
spent many an hour in conversation with
him while reclining on the banks Of the
valley stream, engaged in angling, OF
roaming over wood and hill, with his be-
loved portfolio, for Louis was an unwear-
led artist.
And all this time Gasparde was away
Hugh and Jacques alone knew where
for the former, Hugh Lamonte, uneasy
at a neighborhod SO little to be desired
had dispatched him to manage the affairs
of that portion of the horde engaged in
xthe contraband trade, well reasoning that
being as far distant as the coast itself
he had nothing unpleasant to apprehend
from him. Gasparde, as may be guessed
had been no little dissatisfied with this
arrangement, and resolved to return, Sc
cretly, as soon as an opportunity pre-
sented itself.
1t was one day when Louis had beer
rambling about during the, whole morn
ing that, wearied out, he threw himsel1
beneath the shadow Of tree to rest, il
? the midst of small grove half way be
tween the chateau and the cottage. HI
had book with him, and opening it, soo1
became deeply engaged in it's perusal
Perhaps he might have, passed half al
hour thus. At the end of that time, how
ever, he closed it, and taking up hi!
gun, which he had thrown on the tur1
beside him, he took his way towards thu
road, which was not many steps distant
But he had hardly reached it, ere bul
let whistled through the air, struck hi!
left arm, ploughing up the flesh as i
went, and continuing it's course till i
lodged in the trunk of a large tree by tn,
roadside.
1t had evidently proceeded from som,
place very near the spot which he hat
left; but he had no time to look for tn,
source of the compliment, for the warn
blood already poured down his arm, sat
urating completely the sleeve which GOV
cred it. Fastening on, he sat down b,
the trunk of the tree which had receiv
ed the bullet, and taking his handkerchie
out, folded it into q bandage. At tina
moment, raising his eyes, he behelt
Jacques Leroux coming along the roat
from the village. He called to him, ant
the man ran up.
whats the matter now, Monsieu
Louis?' he asked, in some surprise
.Shot in the arm? Winged like a will
fowl! Why, what" He glanced a
the gun that the count had again lait
down, and Louis recognized the impress
sion which he entertained.
.'Well, my good fellow" he said, light
", despite the slight faintness he fel
from the loss of blood, "you do not thinl
/ would commit intentional suicide-d
you? and if did, should certainly Sc
lect a surer spot than this. But 1 an
glad you are here. This one-handed worl
is rather awkward. Just fasten the band
age about it tightly, if you please-so
That is it. Be sure the knot is fast"
And during this time Louis had con
cluded, since Jacques had drawn his owl
inferences, to let him keep them, and tel
him nothing concerning the actual stat
of the matter; for thought had sud
denly occurred to him, as he endeavoret
to account for the case himself, whicl
made him resolve to trust his own dex
terity in finding out the truth, and keel