Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1903-09-22
CHAPTER III.-(Continued1

it was unfastened from within, and pret-
ty Rose Lamonte opened it wide, utter
ing a joyful exclamation as she met the
newcomer.
Dear father!' she cried, gladly, "why
did you not come before? Twas begin
ming to be alarmed" And she threw her
arms about his neck.
Take care,'' he said, kissing her gent
ly; you will get wet; my clothes are
none of tn dryest l came home as soon
as I could, for the rain.
Poor papa. yes-you are quite wet
1t is a pity!' And with her hand in his
she was drawing him in, when her glance
fell, for the first time, on the figure of
the man behind him. She half started,
and a slight frown was visible upon her
pretty face. but she quickly dispelled it,
and, nodding carelessly, said: Good
evening, Gasparde." @
The man closed the door, and then fol-
lowing them, seated himself Oh a wooden
bench by the hearth; while Hugh La
monte, putting off his heavy hobnailed
shoes, took them in his hand, and cross
ed the kitchen floor carefully, saying,
with a slight gesture, to Gasparde, as he
passed through the door on the other side
of the apartment: ''Wait awhile, Gas
parde-wait awhile, and / will be with
you again"
Rose put away her wheel, swept up a
few dead ashes lying on the hearth, and
then busted herself about her fathers
supper, without once speaking to or in
any way noticing the guest. He, how
ever, eyed her from time to time, as she
moved about the room, with a glance
which she evidently felt, rather than saw,
to be fixed upon her, and which she as
apparently studied to avoid. After some
ten minutes of utter silence, finding that
she was determined not to speak, he
opened the conversation on his own re-
-sponsibility.
well, Rose, you are silent tonight.
You are i'll, perhapsT'
'.No-I am not ill.," she answered, cold
ly.
''You are not glad, then, to see me p he
continued.
Il did not say so,'' she replied, without
looking at him. -
you will say nothing, Rose, that is
pleasant and kind. Come, you might give
me a friendly word when have walked
such long way tonight"
II did not give you the trouble, if it
is a trouble
81 came partly for the sake of being
.you," said Gasparde.
The pretty lip of Rose slightly curled
Her father need company!-a stout, bold,
sturdy peasant, who was afraid of moth
ing human, and who, she very well
knew, passed through the forest every
time he went to market, and often re-
turned after nightfall, too. "a probable
story thought the young girl. ''He only
says it for the sake of appearing amia
ble.''
''And so," she said, aloud, glancing, at
the same time, at the strange adorn-
-ments which he wore at his waist-"and
$50, as my father was not able to take
care of himself" She paused a mo-
ment. He had not seen the quick glance
which she cast at his belt as she spoke,
and standing an instant with her eyes
fixed on his face, in silence, she sudden
ly said: .What are your pistols for?"
He started, and put his hand to them,
remembering with CONSERVATION that he
had forgotten to conceal them before en-
tering. Recovering himself, however, he
answered, putting on careless look:
80, these are arms that I brought on
purpose tonight; for you know it is
much later hour than the one at which
your father usually returns, and they
would be good for both of us to have, as
we were coming through the forest, in
case of danger
Rose gave a shrug, too slight for him
to notice. As she did not once attempt
to break the pause which he allowed to
follow his words, by offering him the
least encouragement to proceed, he mus
tered audacity without.
81 have been thinking for long time"
he went on, that it is very lonely living
without a wife, and as | am an honest
fellow, likely to make my way in the
world, though, perhaps, am not so hand
some u man as a pretty maiden might
choose, yet l know, cousin, that you are
too sensible a girl to refuse a good hus-
band on that account, and will, perhaps,
think reasonably of the affair. Will you
marry me, Rose"
''No, Gasparde, will not" she replied:
"and l wonder you ever presumed to
think of such a thing
30, you are jesting, cousin-you are
jesting, surely" he said; "do but consid-
er the matter. Come, l will make you a
good husband, as l said before, though
think it hardly ought to be repeated"
Hardly, indeed" she returned, slight
ingly, twisting his last words to suit her
own fancy. "But for all that, Gasparde,
never Will marry you, ana you need not
ask me again"
And, quite wearied with his pertinacity
indeed, with the very sound of his
voice-she went out and shut herself in
her own room till he should be gone. She
had but just retired when Hugh Lamonte
re-entered, bearing small basket, which
he gave to Gasparde.
These are the things" he said. "But,
Gasparde-those pistols in your beltY'
and his glance rested upon them uneasily;
1--WE forgot them. Did Rose notice
them ?'
"Yes; but I smoothed it all. She thinks,
suppose, am great coward. made
up a grand story of being afraid in the
forest. Well, no matter. All the better
isn't it, captainY'
She is as well not to know"
"Well, I am going, captain. Shall you
be at the rendezvous tomorrow nightw
flush! do not speak loud. cannot
tell. It is probable, though. Good night"
And he closed and barred the door be-
hind Gasparde. And returning to the
kitchen, he sank into seat, with bitter
sigh.
20, for your sake, my poor, innocent
child" he murmured, II would forsake