The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1903-11-05
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

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So this is your business, comradeT and
he smiled grimly at Jacques. "Well, It's
all the same to me, since l shall myself
escape from this place and be able to
live like an honest man"
SO saying, he led the way from the cell,
advanced a short distance along the gal
lery, and pausing before an arched door
IN the wall, said, as he unlocked and
threw it open:
"The only other prisoner we have is in
here, monsieur"
/ And Louis, leaving the others outside,
entered. This cell, Ike that Of Jacques,
was lighted by brazen lamp, suspended
from the ceiling. Directly beneath this
lamp stood Rose, slightly bending for
ward, with her hands clasped, and an
eager, inQuiring expression of counte-
nance, as she beheld some one entering,
and heard the words Of the guard. But
she shrank back at first, with low cry,
as the disguised count met her view. She
did not recognize him.
'Rose, do not fear; it is I!' he said.
"You, Louis ?-ah, Louis! | know you
noww and weeping, amid her smiles, she
sprang forward to the arms outstretched
to receive her.
The young man trembled with emotion
with feelings that were unutterable, as
he held the light form Of Rose In his EN-
brace.
Rose, | have come to make you free"
he said, tenderly, supporting her to the
door. "Come with me, dear child!'
ITO set me freel Let US hasten, Louis.
But where Is he-that wicked Gas
pardeT
"Gasparde is absent, Rose, and we
must escape ere his return. | will tell
you all when you are once in safety"
Jacques stood at the door, unable to
suppress his delight on seeing Rose
again, an durgIng them to hasten. Raj
monde said, briefly:
"You had better use all the speed you
can, you can scarcely get away from
here too SOON"
Thanks, my friend; and here is your
reward" returned Louis, at the same
time placing In the mans hand we'll
filed purse. And now, Jacques, let US
be gone"
They reached the front of the cave.
Stretched on a heap of skins, by a glow
ing fire, lay the guard, smoking short
stemmed pipe and meditating,
"Michel, come with me" said Raj
monde, briefly.
The man rose, indolently, and obeyed.
The cool, damp wind blew across their
faces as they gained the entrance. An
involuntary exclamation of thanksgiving
escaped from the lips of Rose and Louis.
I'VE are free-freep' uttered Rose,
with sweet and thrilling solemnity; and
pausing an instant, she bowed her head
upon her clasped hands.
They parted, Jacques joining the count
and Rose, to accompany them to the cha
teau. Louis pushed on, still supporting
tenderly the young girl at his side. A
few moments passed, and they were max
ing good progress, when suddenly their
attention was attracted by sound Of
voices at some distance to the right and
the family discerned forms of persons
moving through the trees. Jacques paus-
ed and listened.
Ely, monseur-ny! the men are re-
turningP' whispered he, suddenly.
"Rosew murmured Louis, in alarm, II
must save you, at leastP'
"Hasten-hasten onP' urged Jacques;
there is a hollow tree just beyond here
where Mademoselle Rose can conceal
herself"
They pressed forward silently, but they
were perceived.
"Yonder-yonder! the third tree on the
rightv' whispered Jacques. frantically;
hide her. or she is lost!
There were shouts behind; the brigands,
eight or ten Of them, sent back by Gas
parde, were approaching; they discerned
the fugtives dimly in the gathering dark
ness, and their suspicious were reused.
They commenced a pursuit. But they
pursued only the count and Jacques; for
Louis had gently placed the form Of the
half-fainting girl within the hollow tree,
and instantly took an opposite direction
to lead their pursuers away from the
spot. The ruse succeeded; the brigands
passed the tree.
With an irrepressible cry of victorious
joy, Louis hastened on, with Jacques;
their evident desire to escape increased
the suspicious OF the approaching party,
who now pressed close upon them. On
ON, still, they went; further and further,
nearer to the edge of the forest. But
the brigands gained on them. Shots were
fired, too, but they missed their aim.
Monsieur Louis, we shall be takenw
uttered Jacques, as he made last effort
for life. 1,
And answering not word. the count,
turning, fred at one of the men, who had
almost laid his hand on the shoulder of
Jacques. The brigand fell. A shout Of
vengeance was raised by the pursuers,
and they rushed forward with mad haste
my good fellow, fight is no longer of
use. We must yield. But she is safer
said Louis
He turned to deliver himself up; he
heard a cry Of savage Joy, felt heavy
blow, and then lost all consciousness.
|
When the young count recovered his
faculties he found himself lying on the
stone floor Of one of the cavern cells,
lamp swinging from the roof. How long
he had been here he was unable to guess;
but the scenes through which he had
passed relative to the rescue OF Rose
flashed 50 instantly and vivldly upon
his recollection as to persuade him that
no very great portion of time had elapsed
since their occurrence. The flight, the
concealment Of Rose, the moment Of cap
ture-all these were before him. He
wondered only that the brigands, enraged
as they were at the injury to their COM
rade, had not torn him limb from limb
His csptors had taken care to secure
him beyond the possibility OF escape; for
they had fettered him, hand and foot,
and to these fetters was attached a heavy
chain, the other end Of which was fast
ened to huge ring In the wall. He was
in captivity. but that captivity was sweet,
since he had. as he hoped. ensured the
safety of Rose. Yet he thought Of her
with the deepest anxiety. still. He cal
culated the chances Of her finding the
way from the forest. or, perhaps. she had
tainted in that narrow place Of refuge,
and remained insensible amid the nox-
iOus damps OF night, aud with slimp rep