Condon globe. (Condon, Gilliam Co., Or.) 189?-1919, 1903-12-10

hhce Oh hugni out, as yet he hnd faiiet
to come. The countess and Helen wer'
In their respective apartments. The mar
quls and Louis had gone out, after await
Ing since early morning the arrival OF
the expected visitor, but had promised
TO return shortly. Rose sat alone. count
Ing the moments and striving to find
amusement In watching the scene with
out In the busy street. Every figure that
passed she scanned eagerly; every face
underwent the scrutiny OF her anxious
glance.
Suddenly she was attracted 10 one In
partlcnlar--a figure and countenance and
bearing. like yet unlike those Of her faith
era person who seemed to be seeking
some place In this wilderness OF struc-
lures, consulting. at the same time. a
card which he held In his hand. How
eagerly she bent forward! He crossed
looked up-met her glance. Yes-it was
Hugh Lamonte! But how changed! He
disappeared In the entrance beneath. She
sprang TO unclose the door OF the apart
ment. A familiar step was just without;
II paused, and as the door opened, Roso
beheld him before her.
my dear fatherr' she said, joyfully,
as he clasped her silently in his arms.
You are glad to see me, then, mig
nOnDeT
"Glad?--ah, yes! l have waited till
was ready to cry, papa"
Holding him still by the hand, she led
him In. Rose saw, now, though she would
not seem TO remark 1t, the reason Of his
altered appearance, which had at first
prevented her from recognizing him. For
now, Instead OF the coarse and humble
garb ordinary with him, he was clothed
In the attire Of a gentleman, In garments
OF a fine yet plain material, suiting well
with the undeniably noble and striking
form and natural grace Of the wearer.
The profusion Of hair, formerly roughen-
ing and Disgusting his features, had been
partially removed. and the effect was
no less agreeable than astonishing. No
wonder that Rose had scarcely known
him. You would not have guessed that
this man had ever hewn wood In the
forest, and dwelt, a peasant laborer, In
peasants hut. But Hugh, for reasons
of his own. had chosen to cast of the
character in which he had 50 long appear
ed, in this visit TO Rose. Perhaps he
had endeavored. by this change, to pre-
vent Rose from being obliged to contrast,
with feelings of pain, his apparent pow
erty with the luxury of her position. As
1t was, she wondered silently at the
change, yet, much as she desired to in
quire into his circumstances, a feeling
of restraint or delicacy, prevented her
at first.
They sat there conversing for upward
OF an hour, during which she informed
him of all that had lately taken place
with regard to- herself; of the discovery
made touching the romance in which
Louis and herself had been concerned.
and of her approaching marriage with
him, Hugh listened to her story, smiled
at the romantic part Of it. and was grave
again.
81 knew, Rose" he said, "who Robin
was"
"You knew. papar
"Yes. But | saw that the count was
honorable and sincere in his affection for
you, and permitted him to think his dis
guse safe. l would not have allowed
you to marry a peasant, Rose"
Father, why nOt?'
"You will know one day, my child"
She looked perplexed a moment; then
up into her fathers face, said:
'You heard of my Imprisonment in the
cavern, father?'
"Yes. Jacques told me. All, my child,
how happy am that you escaped! What
do we not owe to the count and to our
faithful JacquesT'
What, indeed?" echoed Rose, warmly.
"But," she resumed, "Gasparde was
killed, papa"
II knew of that, also The wretch will
meet just account"
He said he was not my cousin. How
was that, papa"
He told the truth. He was no rela-
tion, of yours; only | had known him
since he was an innocent, or, at least, an
notwithstanding boy, when you first saw
him in your infancy, and then, you know,
| babe you call each other cousin after
wards"
"But how wicked he was-a brigand
chief! All, IL we had known 1t, papa,
how much more dreadful he would have
seemed! We should never have dared to
have him come into the cottage"
With abruptness Hugh turned the con-
Sersation. 1t touched himself and his
affairs, Rose found that he was living
n quiet retirement in the old city of Ly-
Dns.
"And l am not poor, Rose; do not let
hat trouble you, for l know you will
.hink Of it," he said II am not poor. |
nave enough to support ME to the end of
ny days in comfort and plenty.
"Oh, father, am so gladw she return
ID, her eyes filing with tears. II am so
glad! You do not know how bitter has
been the thought, sometimes, that | was
about to marry a wealthy and titled man,
md leave you, perhaps, in poverty and
want. have a thousand times felt that
was committing a sin-that would
'ather come back to you and share your
ot, humble as 1t was, than wed in splen-
lor and magnifcence and leave you"
''Think no longer, then, of such things,n
Iaid her father, gravely. '"Take the hap
)iness which is offered you, and in which
|, also, shall be happy. | should be i'll at
ease, my child, If you were to descend to
Iour former rude station again. Think
If me always, Rose, as In good circum-
stances; do not compare your station and
nine, and make yourself unhappy be-
,ause do not share the advantages you
,njoy. l do not want them, Rose. l
should spurn them!' He spoke excitedly,
md then, pressing his hand to his brow,
sighed deeply. Then he continued: II be-
ieve you win be happy with the count,
1our future husband. How soon are you
o be married?"
I'm two or three months, papa" an
Iwered Rose, slightly blushing.
"Let me congratulate you now upon