Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1903-12-08
The tears quietly escaped from the

plueSS-iny poor IaIner.
"And it was very natural, dear Rose,
that you should not. Neither did l for
get him; but 1 hardly knew where he
could be found"
II knew that, monsieur" she rejoined,
"and it was partly on that account that
have been silent all this while
And the good marquis could easily COM
prehend the restraint that had also been
instrumental in preventing her from Civ
ing utterance to the wish she had so long
and sorrowfully cherished. Much as she
loved them all, she had shrunk from re-
minding them, in their seeming forget
fulness, that while her future was occu-
pying them continually, that her father,
poor and homeless and forgotten, might
be glad to clasp his only child once more
in his arms and breathe fathers bless
ing over her.
They had not quite forgotten it, how
ever; and now that her desire was made
known. the marquis and Louis were
equally anxious to seek for him. Though
nothing absolute was known concerning
his whereabouts, there was some reason
for believing that he had gone to Lyons,
and faint hope of finding him there.
Accordingly, the matter was taken into
consideration.
1t was about this time that the Count
and Countess de Clairville, with Lord Eg-
erton, had arranged to continue their
route to Paris, and as they had been en-
deavoring to persuade their host and his
family to accompany them and spend the
time with them there until their return,
before the union of Rose and Louis, it
was decided to adopt the proposed plan
and remain some days at Lyons on the
way, in order, if possible, to hear some
thing concerning Hugh Lamonte.
This course having been fixed upon,
preparations were Immediately commenc
ed for the journey. The Countess do
Clairville could not suppress her joy at
this arrangement. Rose began to re-
cover the gentle vivacity and animation
natural to her; and Louis. charmed at
observing the change, was the happiest
of men.
Nor was Lord Egerton the one least
satisfied Of the party. He had looked for
ward to his departure from Helen's pres
ence with feelings of the utmost pain.
He had been restless-disquieted. Moth
ing but the anticipation Of his return
thither had relieved his dissa tisfaction.
His pleasure, then, in the prospect of
the approaching journey was as intense
as his discomfort had formerly been.
And how was it with Helen Montau-
ban? It was well known that she was
pleased with this arrangement. She had
expressed her satisfaction more than once
in alluding to it, and took an active part
in the preparations making for the oc
casion. But there was no one in all that
party-not even Rose sLamonte herself,
seeking tidings of her father-who took
SO deep an interest in the thoughts Of
this journey. For Helen Montauban had
q purpose-the bare skeleton of plan as
yet-over which she had been brooking
in secrecy and silence through many a
day past. Her desire, her thirst for re-
yenge. was fierce and unquenchable.
Long had she been meditating upon the
mode of it's fulfllment; but her hands
had been in a measure bound; the neces-
sary facilities for action were difficult
to be attained. Now, however, means of
forwarding her wretched scheme were
at hand; the approaching journey opened
to her ways and means that she only too
eagerly snatched at. With calm and un-
impassioned deliberation which but as
sured a more terrible consummation of
her hateful design, she meditated upon
the new assistance afforded her now; she
looked forward to the method to be
adopted, and CAREFUL made her calcu-
Enthusiastically and coolly. She had
no fear-no hesitation. Hers were strong
passions-strong and fiery, and deep and,
deadly as we'll. Love and hate had equal
violence when reused in her breast; the
love was forgotten now; the hate was
uppermost; it was meat and drink to
her; it had turned her heart to steel.
oil
banished. The fends themselves could
plot no more mercilessly than this wom-
an, when vengeance had once become her
object.
A smoldering fire lay in those proud,
dark eyes, as she left the old chateau on
the morning of the departure for Lyons.
She leaned forward from the carriage
window as they wound slowly along the
road leading northward, and looked upon
the dark pile that rose against the blue,
serene air of the declining autumn
"See,' said Louis, gaily, "Helen is tax
ing a sentimental farewell of home'
NAY. cousin, L was thinking of our
RETURN" answered she.
''Then why be thinking already said
the marquis, "of our return? Indeed. L
am half inclined, Helen, to believe that
you really regret leaving the chateau"
$50 soon?-why, that scarcely augurs
favorably for the enjoyment of your trip
to the gay capital, Helen! l had an inn
preston that you anticipated great deal
of pleasure during our sojourn there"
80 she does-so she does, am sure"
joined in Rose, as she took the hand of
Mademoiselle Montauban affectionately
in hers. 1--WE shall both enjoy ourselves
shall we not dear Helen?
Undoubtedly" was the reply; ''how
can it be otherwise?' and she smiled.
Monsieur" returned Mademoiselle
Montauban, ''this journey is, of all things
in the world, one of those which l most
desire"
She leaned back in the carriage and
said no more. Gradually they entered
upon the road skirting the forest, and
then the chateau and it's neighborhood
was lost to view.
(To be continued)
T4E~ nosG