The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1903-09-03

wood pain, ana ne SIruck across the neluI
his way still illumined by the electric
flashes that played over the black sky.
The rain was falling faster and more vio-
lently, when suddenly light cleaned
out upon the blackness around it, at some
distance ahead, and remembering that
small cottage, inhabited, when he was in
this district last, If he remembered right,
by some quiet peasants Of the neighbor-
hood, stood somewhere near his present
position, he concluded that this must be
1t. Putting the spurs to his beast again.
therefore, he pressed on, and in a few
moments reached its friendly shelter, just
as the rain came pouring down in abso-
lutte torrents.
Fastening Roland in an old shed that
adjoined this cottage at one end, Louis
knocked on the door with the handle Of
his whip. The next moment it was open
ed wide, and before him, shading her eyes
with her hand, with her pretty and petite
figure clearly defined against the glow
ing background of a well-lighted apart
ment beyond, stood young girl, evident
" not more than sixteen years Of age.
There was an earnest smile on her face,
and a warm welcome for some one, evi-
IDENTIFY, upon her lips; but the beautiful
features changed their sweet, expectant
look to one of startled surprise as the
light from the apartment behind shone
upon the strange face of our young hero.
"Your pardon, mademoiselle," said
Louis; 'but the storm has overtaken me,
and | am forced to ask for shelter here
little while until its present violence
abates."
The young girl stepped back, saying,
with gentle and graceful courtesy as she
did so:
"Will monsieur be pleased to enter?
He is very welcome"
And closing the door again as he came
in, she conducted him into a large and
comfortable room and exceedingly neat
looking withal. There was no person ex.
cept themselves there.
A sharp gust of wind and rain beat
against the easement, and he saw the gir
look involuntariIy in that direction with
a half sigh and an air of apprehension
solicitude.
perhaps mademoiselle has friends who
are exposed to this stormY' suggested
Louis.
"Yes, monsieur, my father, who has
been absent all day. He should have re
turned much earlier than this, but, doubt
less, he will come home soon. He went
to the market this morning. am sorry
he is not here to welcome you."
A little silence ensued, when the fail
hostess drew a spinning wheel towards
her, and, sitting down by the hearth, be
gan to work quietly but industriously
now and then looking up from her EN-
ployment to respond to some observation
of her guest; while Louis, on his part
studied at leisure her sweet and some
what thoughtful countenance, followed
with pleased interest, the glancing mo
tion of those snowy little hands, an,
wondered to himself how a graceful bios
som like this could ever have sprung Vi
and iourished in a peasants home.
The rain and wind beat furiously abou
, the little cottage, increasing the sense o
comfort within. and blending its SCUM
, curiously with his reflections, as Loui
sat there by the hearth, opposite to hi
hostess, and thinking how exquisitel
pretty abe was. and wondering what he
, father was like, envying him, at one mC
ment, for being the father Of so lovely
child. and the next, thinking that, muc
1 as they might love each other, he wa
very glad that he was not her fathei
: While she, working busily, kept her littl
: wheel whirring. whirring-and now an
A then slightly turning her fair head wit
an intent look. as II listening for the foo
!. steps that did not come, or lifting he
beautiful eyes TO her guests face as b
/. spoke to her, and answering him In thos
. quiet. pleasant tones that Louis coul
not help thinking the sweetest in th
a world, until the wind died away and th
; rain ceased, and Louis could not but sal
:. as he looked out from the easement upo
j the narrow road that wound across II
. fields, and among the distant hills, TO b
uncle's chateau, that it was time for hii
/ to depart.
, Have you far to 80, monsieur 81
e asked. putting aside her wheel and ri
= ing, -.------ -
= Across the hills yOaasr; half leagu