Condon globe. (Condon, Gilliam Co., Or.) 189?-1919, 1903-12-24
CHAPTER xlx.-tcontIaued.l

/ VAIN attempts 10 Tree themselves IEpHl
the harness aud rise. and In the darkness
aud the storm pursued with all possible
haste the road 20 the chateau. There
was no shelter near The light form Of
Rose was as nothing In the strong arms
OF the marquis. Rapidly he bore hei'
along keeping the folds OF bis cloak
well wrapped about her.
I'VE are almost at the village" said
Francis Egerton. as he supported bis
companion with a lovers tenderness that
met row with no repulAe.
For Helen Montauban knew nothing OF
II. She was saying to herpelf, lis Rose
deadf Has she escaped met Am | to
be spared my work at lastT She listen
cd for slgh--a groan, from the lips Of
that inanlmate figure that was borne be-
fore her. No sound was heard from
them. Already, strange fever Of JOY
mingled with the shiyerIng excitement,
the awe, the horror. which Helen Mon
tauban had felt. She never needed the
rain that poured over her In sheeted tor
rents: tho wild winds ragged In vain for
her now; they were unheard. She only
longed for light-light, to behold that
NUuuitHAUNt"Ap hh1" Wv hseNAs'
But no near were they TO the farm
houses now that no delay was made; the
hrAt one was entered, and Rose placed
upon a couch, while the farmers wives
crowded about, with earnest Kindness
aud sympathy, 20 render assistance. But
at the sight OF that pale, quiet face, those
closed eyelids and colorless lips, they
were silent; and some whispered among
Themselves, "She Is deadw while others.
with scarce hope, yet seeking still for
one, worked over the lifeless form. And
without stood the marquis and the Count
de ClaIryille and FFancis Bgerton by the
fire In the great farm kitchen, In dread,
silence and suspense.
Helen Montauban and the countess had
entered the chamber where Rose was
laid. and rough yet comfortable garments
were offered them TO replace their own
dripping ones. The countess was already
making this welcome and really neces-
sary change; but Helen Montauban,
thrustlng them from her, pressed to the
couch
"Stand Rsidew she said to the woman.
And Aha kn0if h0wn there fn lnnk ai that
pallld face, round which the dripping
chestnut curls were lying In shining
masses. Once those white lips parted
reddened.
""See-seel she llves-she breathes! ut
tered one OF the women. In an eager,
tremulous tone, subdued almost to a
whisper-"she livesw
'.It IL lIep muttercd Helen Montau-
ban, between those beautiful shut teeth.
A moment elapsed. The women gath
cred, with glad, excited, hopeful eyes.
about the couch-those poor, simple. hon
st-hearted peasant women, praying for
that young life, whose slender thread one
among them would so gladly have seen
broken. And hercely watched that one,
with burning glance, heart that stood
all but still. 1t was no lie!
Slowly those lovely eyes Enclosed, and
rested upon the glad, smiling faces gath
cred about the couch. There was nc rec
cgnition In them at first; but presently,
meeting the anxious glance of the good
countess, who bent over her, she sighed
family, and putting her hand to her head,
whispered, 10, yes; remember--I re-
member nowV
Helen Montauban was gone. In an ad-
Joining chamber sho removed the satu-
rated garments she had worn, and sub
stituted for them the apparel sent from
the chateau by domestic: then proceed
ing to the kitchen, Joined her father and
his companions, who had just learned
that Rose had revived. The head Of the
marquis was bowed, his face buried In
his hands. The emotion Of gratitude he
felt at the bringing back Of that young
life almost overcame him.
The night passed aud morning broke,
clear and still above the'earth, where so
lately all had been commotion. The voice
OF the tempest had died away In silence.
Broad and fair the sunlight shone above
the pleasant valley. They bore Rose
with gentleness and care back to the cha
teau. She was quite III, almost unable.
to move a limb from weakness. The in
iuries that others had escaped, she had
received; and from being so long exposed
to the. STERN, there was every reason to
believe that serious consequences would
ensue. y |f
And the apprehension was justified.
| During the day her indisposition increas-
ed, and at night, feyerish and delirious,
| SHE lOSHSu upullk uGL NuuNha NAlu u WAAu
brilliancy In those soft eyes, and a
scorching flush upon her beautiful cheek.
1t was pitlful to hear her wandering
words, and listen to the incoherent ming
lings of sorrow and joy, in her wild de-
lirium. The marquis looked upon her
once, and then turned away with stream
| ing eyes from the room, to seclude him
self In the library, where he passed the
night In watchings. The Count Frederic
land Francis Egerton remained till dawn
In the saloon. Every domestic in the
chateau kept vigil during those. long and
mournful hours; for not an eye could
close in slhmber. Helen Montauban and
the countess had their post In that sick
chamber, beside the couch of the sick
girl, who recognized neither Of them. All
night long she raved, and the flush burn
ed strong and steady on her cheek, and
the lightning's flash was not more bril-
liant than the FIRE scintillating from those
dark eyes.
Slowly the leaden night hours waxed
and waned; and Helen Montauban sat
beside the pillow of Rose, regardless. Of
slumber. The countess, sitting by the
fire, still wept and prayed in silence The
doctor came to the bedside.
"You need rest, mademolselle, he said;
"cannot ! prevail upon you to retire and
snatch few hours repose while watch
hereI The fatigue and exposure of last
night, though no present Ill effects are
felt from them, may be productive Of
evil consequences, II your nerves continue
thus overtaxed."
Your pardon" returned Helen, in cold