The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1903-12-03
CHAPTER XVI

wedding day. The lmpatience of Louis
had urged its being fixed at an early pc
riod, He asserted that a delay Of three
months would be quite sufficient. His
gay and vivacious yet earnest arguments
were half accepted. The marquis was in
clined to favor them, though 1t was evil
IDENTIFY with a sore struggle. 1t was not
until now that he had realized the full
depth OF his affection for Rose. She had
become very dear 10 him. Her gentle
ness and innocence and goodness Of heart,
her childlike loyeliness, and more than all,
her likeness to one beloved In by-gone
years, endeared her to the heart Of this
second father. He shrunk from speak
ing Of the parting, though he could not
deny to Louis the boon so earnestly
sought.
1t could be seen, by close observer,
that now, while this discussion was going
on, and one and another laying plans
touching the event, Rose herself said lit
tie, merely giving assent to the various
propositions laid before her, and seeming
to take but passive part in the general
aNtibhs huhg ibUs NJ NllnCb, a CCI-
tain gravity, which might as we'll have
been called actual sadness, in her de-
mesnor, and which could not we'll be ac-
counted for. Gradually 1t became so evil
dent that 1t occasloned the deepest un-
easiness In the breast of Louis. He en-
deavored to draw from her the cause Of
1t. She seemed disnclined to acquaint
him NTH tba arisyIa nF 10
You are III, dear RoseT" he asked,
with a lovers sOlictude.
II am not Ill, Louis; indeed, you alarm
yourself unnecessarily"
Then you are unhappy
II am not exactly unhappy, either"
One month of the three had passed
awaE.
There are but two months now, Rose"
said the happy young man.
And Rose, even as she received the kiss
her lover gave so fondly, turned away to
sigh. He observed it with increased un-
easiness.
my dear uncle" he said to the mar
quis, what can all Rose? am sure she
is not quite happy, though she refuses
to admit It,"
The marquis did not observe the down
cast mood of the young girl for the first
time now. He had watched it since its
commencement, and meditated seriously
and with deep concern on the subject.
At length one day'he sent for her to come
to him In the library.
MY dear child he said, 81 must know
the reason and the nature Of this gloom
which continually rests upon your spirits.
1t is, as you must be aware, a matter Of
some anxiety to NE. You do not deny
that, IL not precisely unhappy, there is
yet some wish to be granted-some desire
to be fulfilled, which could restore to you
your usual serenityf"
Il will not deny 1t, monsieur" she re-
turned, quietly and sadly.
"And you will not tell me what 1t Is
this wish? Dear Rose, this reserve
pains me extremely. am sure you would
not wish to cause me a moments dis
quiet, ana yet you uuconsciously give me
the utmost apprehension. You confide
neither in Helen nor Louis; then | en-
treat you to be, at least, frank with me.
Is 1t anything which can do to crafty
you, my childr"
Indeed, | scarcely think SO" answered
Rose; II do not think any one here could
bring me what wish. 1t is"
Rose, | think ! know what you wish.
| have thought Of It more than once-ot
the very subject doubtless, upon which
you are secretly dwelling at this moment.
You have not seen your father In a long
time. You are about to take a most inn
portant step, and you wish to see him,
to tell him Of all this. Is It not so?"
The tears quietly escaped from the
young girls downcast eyes.
ut is true, monsieur | wished to see
him. | could not forget him in my hap
piness-my poor fatherr'
And 1t was very natural, dear Rose,
that you should not. Neither did for.
get him; but | hardly knew where he
could be found"
Il knew that, monsieur" she reioined.
and 1t was partly on that account that
have been silent all this while"
Aud the good marquis could easily COM
prehend the restraint that had also been
instrumental in preventing her from Civ
ing utterance to the wish she had so long
and s0rrOwfully cherished. Much as she
loved them all, she had shrunk from re-
them. in their seeming forget
fulness, that while her future was occu-
pying them continually. that her father.
poor and homeless and forgotten, might
be glad to clasp his only child once more
in his arms and breathe a fathers bless
ing over her.
They had not quite forgotten II, how
ever; and now that her desire was made
known, the marquis and Louis were
equally anxious to seek for him. Though
nothing absolute was known concerning
his whereabouts, there was some reason
for believing that be had gone to Lyons.
and a faint hope Of finding him there.
Accordingly, the matter was taken into
1t was about this time that the Count