Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1903-02-24
eyes, Goupart; / remember very WELL"
ga b those were hanny times I4OuiSep,

"Yes-yes. And yet, in all, they were
no happier than we find them here now,
for my father was not happy there"
Il know-I know. And, after all, what
is happiness, but the offspring Of con-
| tent? Those were happy hours there in
the old garden at Clermont, and | have
| seen some happy ones here"
"O-and We'll see a great many more. "
81 hope SOL believe so. But tell me,
Louise, do you remember how we used
to laugh and talk there, in that old gaF-
den, and in the old chateau, and how
you used to plague and pester me?"
"Yes. | remember very well. And
how well you used to bear it!'
"And do you remember how you used
to pinch my cheek, and box my ears?"
"Yes."
"And why was it? Why did you do
those things?"
Because you used to pes
ter me-"
How did I poster you? Come-now
tell me-" And as Goupart thus spoke,
he reached out and took the fair girls
hand.
But she made no reply. Her eyes were
bent upon the ground, and the warm.
rich blood mounted to her cheeks and
temples.
''If you will not tell me, may l tell
you? whispered the young man, tremu-
lously.
"But l may have forgotten what you
mean," said Louise, casting a furtive
glance up into her companions face, but
dropping her eyes again when she found
how eagerly his gaze was fastened upon
her. "You used to Rester me in many
ways"
''Yet | can remember Of but one. Shall
speak it?'
"CertainlF you may speak,"
sThen twas for calling you my little
wife that you used to do these things.
And more, too: you used to assure me
that when you became my wife in earn
est, you should be strong enough to pinch
and box me as l deserved. Don't you
remember?'
"But-but was child then" MUIR
INJURED Louise, trembling.
"Ay-and we were both children. You
were then a laughing, buoyant girl of
ten, and l a wild youth of seventeen.
Those were times when the heart hid
none of it's emotions. All, Louise, many
a time since then have ] looked back
upon those hours, and tried to anaiyze
the emotions that moved me then. 1t
seemed strange that l should have then
taken an image upon my heart that the
hand of time could never efface-and7
that, too, the image Of q mere child. But
do you remember when the painter, Vivtr
ami, came to the old chateau, and hired
him to paint your miniature on ivoryT
"Yes," murmured Louise, now looking
up.
St. Denis opened his vest and from
beneath it he drew a golden locket that
opened by means of spring. He press
ed it, and the case separated, revealing
sweet face-a childlike countenance,
yet full of soul and life. The golden
hair hung in wild profusion ABOUT the
dimpled checks, and a beaming smile
dwelt in the deep blue eyes, and upon
the parting lips.
''Do you know whom that was taken
forT' Goupart whispered.
20, yes-'tis me; it's mine. ! remem-
Der 1t well. 0, how like Louis it looksv'
Because it looks even now like you:
But listen, Louise. Seven years-yes,
eight years--I have owned this sweet |
transcript, and not for one moment, DUR |
ing all that time, has it left my possess
sion. Never have my eyes closed to
sleep but it has rested upon my bosom.
and never a waking hour but have worn |
1t next my heart. Think you l have
forgotten the sweet love of my boyhood ?'
Gradually the fair girls head sank upon
her companions bosom, and when she
looked UP again, her eyes were filled with
tears.
ITO be continued)