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

fused her. A feeling of faintness stole
over her; she put her hand to her brow;
all was strange bewilderment about her.
Still his eyes were fixed upon her; still
he watched eagerly. But over his lips
stole the palor of death; his fine brow
grew cold and white as marble itself,
and on it stood the very dew of agony.
"You yield, thenp' he said, in voice
choked with emotion.
'sYieldW She rose slowly from her
seat; she unclasped his fingers from hers
with despairing strength. "Ah, mol You
mistake! love him; will be true to
him. y - s Z 8
Louis stood with one hand supporting
himself by the table, the other pressed
hard against his side, and his face avert
ed, SO that she did not see its expression.
He did not speak; but the hand resting
upon the table was withdrawn in q mo-
ment and it trembled.
Louis, l have hurt-wounded you:
have been too harsh! Will you not for
give me-" Rose said, gently, and in q
tone that quivered with agitation. She
drew near to him, and laid her hand i'm
ploringly upon his arm. "You can but
see that my promise must be kept, and it
break it. All, it is sacred, Louis! help
me to keep it So"
There was no reply. But he turned
towards her; he held out his arms; he
gathered her to his breast and held her
there, while his lips were pressed calmly,
silently, tenderly to hers. Then releasing
her, he went out from her presence. The
door closed behind him. A step is heard
without-that of the marquis.
well, my Rose, you are waiting for
me-" he said, cheerily, as he approached
her; "and have been waiting some time,
am afraid, too. What shall say for
myself, eh?" and he seated himself be-
side her. But, what ails you, my childT'
he added, with evident concern; ''you are
iHr
Mono! am bot Ill, sir; but am I'M
happy" returned Rose, lifting her beau
tiful eyes, swimming with tears, to his
earnest face.
Unhappy? you are young for that,
Rose. Some girlish within it is, I'll war
rant me-nothing more, and you are max
ing yourself extremely miserable about
it." And he stroked her bright hair gent
ly, as he spoke these words in an emily
ening tone.
at Is no within, sir" answered Rose,
sadly. II have been doing wrong all this
time" She could proceed no further
for her tears.
"Doing wrong, poor little mouse? and
to make a confessionY' smiled the good
old man, kindly. 'Why, Rose, l think,
then, that must grant absolution before
hand, and refuse to listen to your story.
I won't hear any tales against my little
girl"
"Ah, monsieur, you treat it lightly! You
do not know how-how-"
IL don't know, l suppose you would
say, how serious an affair it isis that it,
little Rose, ehT'
eyes, monsieur" answered the young
GIL.
Exactly. Well, then, suppose 1 try
to guess?"
you could mot guess! Monsieur you
| must read this" Aad she drew from hel
! pocket letter. which she was about to
give him; but he put it away, smilingly
with his hand.
"You will not allow me to guess, Rose
| then will not look at your letter. / am
! harder than stone, my bird. And now
Rose, don't interrupt me, for, as TOLD
| A
"a wedding dress shall it be, petite?"
His good-natured, comical manner and
lively tone, together with a certain sig
nificance which he threw into his last
words caused her first to smile, and then
to blush, despite her sorrow and agita
ton. He waited an instant, and then
| went on:
"What-silence? then you consent
Rose ?-well, a wedding dress it shall be
then. AS 1 said, will wager wedding
dress, lace, jewels and ALL"
II shall want neither lace nor jewels
monsieur" said Rose, half sadly.
| "Do not interrupt me, my child
Against-let me see-againss q pair O.
diamond buckles. You see l mean t.
make you pay well, Rose-that shall
guess rightly"
81 do not understand you, monsieur,
said the young girl, wondering, perplexet
and diverted at his manner.
"You don't? what pity" There wal
mischief in his eyes, that brought thu
smile to hers. "What pityP' he repeat
ed. "Well, at all events, l will com
mence, and probably, by the time l shall
have finished, you will comprehend m!
meaning more fully. In the first place
| then, there is certain young girl-yol
see I mention no names, Rose-a certain
young girl, say, who has lover. Yo,
are listening, presume, my childT
II am listening, monsieur"
Good! This young girl, then, is be
trothed. Very well; that Is not at all t,
be wondered at, as young girls very FIRE
quentiy find themselves in this position
She is betrothed to poor young MAN.
workman; we will say he is-a gardener
Well, these two-the girl and her lover
cannot marry yet, because they are b.
no means in suitable circumstances; TO
she Is quite as poor as he. All, the!
must be content to waltz
He paused, and regarded her with
curious smile. She looked up, her eye
sparkling with fresh-streaming tears.
"Ah, monsieur! you are telling M
my"
The good marquis kissed her.
II am telling you about two peopl
whom I once knew, my child. will pro
coed. Our young gardener, we will say
goes away; and the girl, who meets witt
some slight change Of circumstances dur
ing his absence, continues to remembe
L NJ =