Condon globe. (Condon, Gilliam Co., Or.) 189?-1919, 1903-09-10

wood path, and he struck across the field,
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 a light cleaned
out upon the blacknesS around 1t, at some
distance ahead, and remembering that g
small cottage, inhabited, when he was In
this district last, II he remembered right,
by some quiet peasants of the neighbor-
hood, stood somewhere near his present
position, he concluded. that this must be
it. 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 1t 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.
and warm welcome for some one, evi.
dently, 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
a 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 enter2
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 girl
look involuntarily in that direction with
a half sigh and an air of apprehension
solicitude.
perhaps mademOiselle has friends who
are exposed to this storm?' suggested
Louis.
Eyes, 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 fair
hostess drew q 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, and
wondered to himself how a graceful bios.
som like this could ever have sprung NJ
and fourished In peasants home.
The rain and wind beat furiously about
the little cottage, increasing the sense Of
comfort within. and blending Its sound
curiously with his reflections, as Louis
! sat there by the hearth, opposite to his
hostess, and thinking how exquisitelJ
pretty she was, and wondering what hel
father was like, envying him, at one mo
ment, for being the father of so lovely
child, and the next, thinking that, muci
as they might love each other, ne wal
very glad that he was not her father
While she, working busily, kept her littl
wheel whirring, whirring-and now an:
then slightly turning her fair head will
an intent look, as II listening for the foot
steps that did not come, or lifting ne
beautiful eyes to her guests face as n
spoke to her, and answering him In thos'
quiet, pleasant tones that Louis cOul'
not help thinking the sweetest in tn
world, until the wind died away and tn
rain ceased and Louis could not but say
as he looked out from the easement upol
the narrow road that Yound across tn
fields, and among the distant hills. to hi
] uncle's chateau, that 1t was time for hin
to depart.
Have you far to go, monsieur sh
, asked, putting aside her wheel and ris
Ing.
SAcrOss the hills yOndsr; half league