The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1903-12-17

well how. | suspect the idea was very
natural one. She is so beautiful!'
my pet Helen must never hear yon
acknowledge that little piece Of innocent
| audacity Helen? All, she would smile
with amusement at the mere mention of
| such thing! She would not marry me,
Rose. l do like her very dearly. She
| likes me, also, quite as well, l believe;
but should as soon contemplate an ALI
ance with a queen as with her..
"You make me smile, Louis. How mod
est you are You mean to say that
! Helen"
Il mean to say, Rose, that my proud
| and lovely cousin will be content to re-
main unwedded all her days rather than
wed with so humble a parsonage as my
self. She is dear cousin, Rose; but L
think that, secretly, she is ambitious.
| Francis Egerton loves her, l am sure;
| but do you not see that she treats him
.oldly?
II thought it was So" said Rose, in
half-musing tone.
And, speaking of that same Francis
| Egerton, do you know, Rose, that l came
near being jealous of him on the first
evening of my return hither? He was
continually near you. He seemed chain
ed to your side"
And you to that of Helen, do you re-
MEMBER archly asked Rose. Probably
the latter circumstance was the cause of
the former"
He laughed.
Perhaps; but think, If he had never
seen Helen, he would have been your
captive. How would you have treated
him, petite PAS you treated me last
night?"
Yes"
81 believe it. How fortunate he is!
l endured agony last evening, Rose"
His tone was sad as he said it.
agony, LOUISE
Lest l should gain the very boon l
seemed so earnestly to crave. But you
were true to Robin. / was more than
satisfied with the result Of my trial. And
then, what joy filled my breast, with the
ringing echo Of that sorrowful, yet firm
denial Of my suit! 1t was music to me-"
why, Louis-Louis Where are you,
my boy?" shouted the rich, clear, merry
voice of the Count de Clairville from the
terrace; and the next moment they heard
his step approaching the library.
Rose sprang up.
Let me go, Louis" she said.
Away, then, my birdv' And he sprang
to a side door that opened on staircase
leading to the gallery above. This way,
Rose. Our mischievous friend, strongly
suspect, knows all about this business of
ours, and is inclined to tease me little"
And the door closed behind Rose just
as the summons of the count was heard
at the opposite entrance.
1t required some hours Of retirement
and silence in the solitude Of her own
chamber to restore to Rose anything like
her usual tranquility. The excitement of
the last four-and-twenty hours had their
effect ON her, and every nerve was thrill
ing to the tension produced by it. Quiet
was impossible; so she fastened her door,
and walked the floor to work off in some
degree the restless agitation she felt.
When she had succeeded in wearying
herself with the exercise she sat down,
and leaning back among the cushions,
laughingly and resolutely shut her eyes,
with the determination to sleep. This
was a difficult matter, however. Her
mind was not quite composed yet Rose,
after she had bathed her face, had her
hair re-arranged and made some altera-
tons in her dress and descended to the
saloon.
Louis was gone to the village. The
marquis and his friend, Count Frederic,
walking together ON the terrace, were en-
gagged in conversation. The Countess
Marie, in one corner, read quietly from
favorite book. Helen Montauban
worked at her embroidery and
wore a brighter and better pleased ex-
preston than in the morning; for Fran
els Egerton was away. She beckOned
Rose Immediately to her side.
"Truant! where have you BEEN" she
| said, smilingly, as she made the young
| girl sit by her and stroked her bright
| hair.
I'm my chamber, Helen" answered
Rose, laying her pretty head against the
| shoulder of her companion, with happy
| and loving confidence.
"A penance of solitude and reflection,
my fair sister? What sin have you COM
mitted?''
mo sin-no penance was mine. / was
restless. l went to become calm and
quiet"
| "And succeeded, / think. But what
ails you, Rose? What is in your eyes
your face? Some reflex from underlying
emotions-glad emotions. You have had
| good newsY"
Moves! All, do not ask meat least,
not now!' laughed the young girl. Come
to my chamber to-night-will you, Helen?
or, will come to yours; it does not mat
ter which, and then will tell you what
cannot-dare not tell you now, here, in
this broad daylight, with eyes and ears
| oil ahout rs Yes-ah yes Heleni / am
gladI She laid her face on Helen's