The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1903-11-26


its linen blouse, its heavy boots, no large
hat such as had covered the gardeners
head, and shaded his face from the sun
no peasants garb, or peasants air; ana
yeti was Robin
"Why does he not speak?" said the
young girl, tremblingly to herself.
But suddenly the gentleman raised his
hand, passed 1t across his brow, and held
1t there for an Instant then, laying aside
the writing materials which he held,
turned and advanced to meet her.
A low, glad cry escaped the lips OF
Rose on beholding that face-Robin'S
face, and then she was silent-she turn
ed pale. What was this change which |
she beheld as he came nearer? what coun-
tenance was it? Did she indeed behold |
Robin himself, Or The cloak dro23~I |
from his shoulders.
"Robin-Louisp' she uttered, QuiverinS
with emotion.
''Well, which Is itf" With the same
light, beaming, sunshiny smile that she
had met every day for the last two weeks
with the familiar voice and air that
blended In one two characters hitherto
distinct, he came forward, and taking her
hands into the gentle yet firm clasp of
his own, while he drew her to his breast,
repeated (Which is 1t, Rosel Doubling
and believing, too? Tell me my name,
mignonnew
"Ah, Louis-Louis, tell me what this
means? she cried, In an imploring tone.
''Then you declare that | am Louis|
he said, laughingly; "but see-see how au-
dacious he has growny And the young
man, with daring tenderness, pressed his
lips to hers. (Which Is it now, RoseT
at is-Robln-lt is Louis; either, and
both. cannot tell. am bewildered|
She covered her face with her hands.
my Rose-my little, faithful, noble
hearted darlingw Louis murmured, low
lngly, and with the softest emotion In his
tones, as he led her to a seat. my gen
erous-brave Rose, will you forgive this
long and heavy trial7 You have conquer
ed-nobly conquered! You are victorious,
love. Look up and speak to me. Let me
see, at least that Louis has not lost the
heart that Robin won"
She did look up. The sweet face, tinged
with red lest bushes, Sparkled with blend
ed tears and smiles.
"You deceived me, Louis. see 1t now;
understand it all. But you deceived
me most cruellyw she said.
"And almost broke my own heart,
Rose, as well as your own. All, II you
new how suffered last night, you would
| forgive mel!
And Rose could but do so. The period
Of probation was passed. The unhappi-
ness to which each had been subjected,
| in its duration, was terminated now.
Louis d'Artois had perfected his scheme,
and tested It fully, to his own satisfac-
ton. The outward charms Of the woman
he loved were nobly equalled by her
truth, her frmness, her constancy. Meth
er ambition, nor pride, nor cupidity, had
tempted her, for one instant, to swerve
from her faith. She had remained true
to the humble lover who had won her
first affection.
"Rose, do you love mel will you take
Louis now?" asked the count with arch
tenderness.
How can | take Louis7 l am prom.
ised to Robin" returned she, gravely. 81
came here to meet Robin; he has vanish
ed and you are answerable for his disap-
pearance. | refused Louis last night"
"Nay, then-I will become q gardener
again, for your sake, love. will put on
my peasants dress once more and take
my spade, and toll in the garden from
morning till night; while you sit, as you
used to sit, just by the cottage door and
sing to me while you sew. What a pret-
ty cottage girl you were, Rose believe
loved you the first time we met"
"And | thought"
"Ah, what, Rose?"
"That you loved Helen" she answered,
blushing.
"Helen, thou little mouse, what put
that thought into thy pretty head"
at came there, Louis; do not know
well how suspect the idea was a very
natural one. She Is so beautifulw
"My pet Helen must never hear you
acknowledge that little piece of innocent
audacity. Helen2 All, she would smile
with amusement at the mere mention Of
such a thing She would not marry me,
Rose. do like her very dearly. She
likes me, also, quite as well, believe;
but | should as soon contemplate an alli-
ance with queen as with her"
"You make me smile, Louis. How mod
est you are! You mean to say that
Helen"
81 mean to say, Rose, that my proud
and lovely cousin will be content to re-
main unwedded all her days rather than
J wed with so humble a parsonage as my
, self. She is dear cousin, Rose; but
think that, secretly, she is ambitious.
Francis Egerton loves her, l am sure;
but do you not see that she treats him
; coldly?"
II thought it was so" said Rose, in a
half-musing tone.
"And, speaking Of that same Francis
Egerton, do you know, Rose, that 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 archy asked Rose Probably
the latter circumstance was the cause Of
I the former"
He laughed
Perhaps; but think, IL he had never
seen Helen, he would have been yOul
; ; captive. How would you have treated
him. petite?-as you treated me las
nightr
Yes"
!. Il believe It. How fortunate be is
- | endured agony last evening, Roser
: His tone was sad as he said it.
d Agony, Louis?"
< Lest | should gain the very boon
/ seemed so earnestly to crave. But yol
Il were true to Robin. l was more thai
n satisfied with the result Of my trial. An,
9 then. what JOY filed my breast, with tn,
;. ringing echo Of that sorrowful, yet firm
e denial Of my suit! 1t was music to me-
:, why, Louis-Louis! Where are you
l. my boyf' shouted the rich, clear, merr!
% voice Of the Count de CRirville, from tn,
h terrace; and the next moment they hear,
n bis step approaching the library.
Rose sprang up.
!. let me so. Louis" she said.
Is Away, then, my birdr' And he spran
E to side door that opened on a staircss
| leading 10 the cailerv nhaxa ssThfa MS 4