Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1903-10-06

| speak with you.
What if it should be a mistake after
all? But no! The man stopped at this
| quiet, yet peremptory summons, ceased
whistling, and taking off his large hat,
looked Louis in the face, saying, respect
| fully:
II see it is useless, monsieur lie compte.
You are determined to know me-"
Your own fault-your own fault,
| laughed the count, with an air of good
humor. For, in this person, he recog-
nized the one who had appeared to him
| in the forest on the night of that memora-
BILE attack, to warn and arm him against
| the approaching danger of the way. The
face, well marked by the assistance of the
| lightning then, had been carefully remem-
bered since.
| But how is it that you know me SO
well, monsieur" asked the man. Il
| scarcely imagined that you would"
You must be sensible, my good
FRIEND" returned the count, that neither
the place, persons nor occasion were
| those liable to be easily forgotten. A
man seldom meets such a dozen times in
the course of his life. Did not tell you
that l should remember you?"
Just so, monsieur. Still"
"But I do not often forget faces, espe-
cially those met with in times of danger.
Yours l kept for the remembrance of past
deeds, and the score of a future reckon
ing. But you speak as though you had
wished me to forget it.
Il was not over-desirous that you
should remember it." answered the man.
and why not? You are net ssrry for
helping me, I trust?'
mo, monsieur; nor unable or unwilling
either, for that matter, to help yeu again,
If you should need help. And, my faith!
but am afraid you will need aid most
sorely, If things prosper as they hdve be-
gum" he added, in lower and half-mus-
ing tone.
What do you mean" Queried the
count, not little puzzled.
"What do mean, monsieur? Why,
the fact is, it would be hard to tell. How
do know what is to happen? "a
What was that muttering for, then?
What is your name? Tell me that. 1t
cannot harm you"
''It is Jacques Leroux, monsieur"
Jacques Leroux!well, shall remem-
Der now. But come, sit down on this
bank by the roadside moment. I wish
to talk with you
every well, monsieur. Only I warn
you, you must not ask too many Ques-
tions. 1t is enough that I was inclined
to help you that night. You must not
inquire too closely into the why and
wherefore of the secrecy
''Let me ask what L please, jacques.
You are not forced to answer, if you do
not like. In the first place, then, how did
you come to know all about the affair in
which was engaged?'
''That, monsieur, is one of the questions
which l must decline to answer"
why did you conceive so great an in
terest in me-a stranger?
That + cannot tell. unless it was abe-s
cause liked your appearance"
''You had seen me before, then?"
81 had seen you before, monsieur"
"Where-whenw
1T would do you no good to know"
"You are cool, jacques. see shall
gain no satisfaction from you. But, at
least, let me know to what part of the
country you belong, and whether shall
ever see you after this"
ST am not conscious Of belonging any
where in particular, monsieur, though one
may be apt to see me most generally in
this direction. I dare say we shall meet
very often, if you remain at the chateau
up there"
"You spoke of my needing assistance
at future day. Do you think it probable
that I shall?'
81 do not say. One may very often
need help, you know; especially when
one has enemies. The old fable of the
lion and the mouse is as useful to-day as
ever it was"
"Where are MY enemies? Who are
they?'
"You know best, monsieur, whether you
have gained the il1-will Of any one"
you mean-but mol What should you
know concerning that? You
II mean, monsieur, to speak in so many
plain words, that ugly cousin of pretty
Rose Lamonte-Gasparde T should
hardly dare to utter his name aloud, but
l know that he is not within earshot by
long way"
''You do know, then, that he is my en-
emy?"
"As far as jealousy can make hira, mon
sieur. And though he is away now, it
does not follow that he may not harm
you some day. He did not fancy your
treatment Of him the other day. But
now, monsieur, l have fingered here long
enough. l am going to see Hugh La
monte"
'Ahw exclaimed the count; ''then you
know Hugh?'
'.Yes, monsieur. 1 help him sometimes,
in his garden. He wants me this mora
ing"
The young count pursued his way,
thinking, with some curiosity, and not a
little perplexity, of his new acqnaiat-
ance.
THAT accounts for it, he said to him
self. He learned the story from Hugh. |
| suppose, or overheard something. But |
1 wonder how he became acquainted with |
the danger which was awaiting me that
night? However, l suppose 1 must not |
trouble myself about it,
And Jacques pursued his route to the |
dwelling of Hugh Lamonte-of his chief. |
For though Louis had no suspicion Of it |
at present, this man was concerned, |
though in no very important degree, with |
the very gang who had sent out men to |
waylay him in the forest. This was the |
secret of his knowledge respecting their
business.
(1'o be continued.l
ASystem of Saving.
AScum-Mr BNntem t0Jle ma hn OIL I