Condon globe. (Condon, Gilliam Co., Or.) 189?-1919, 1903-11-26
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ne leaned forward, towards the marquis.
suddenly the latter, aroused by some
OF Rose, turned and beheld her,
and Immediately, after whispering q sin
gle word 10 his companion, advanced TO
meet the young girl. There was an arch
smile on his countenancc as be bent down
TO kiss her.
Rose, my pet" he said. simply, "yon.
der IL Robin; go and meet him." And he
passed her directly. leaving the apart
nent and closing the door behind him.
THAT Robinr Rose, IN her astonish-
megt, could neither speak nor move.
That RobinT' was her inward query.
For, forgetting the warning OF the mar
quis, she had looked for Robin OF the
olden memory, and the change bewilder-
ed her, until recollection came.
Here. indeed, was no sturdy figure, in
its linen blouse, its heavy boots, no large
hat, such as had covered the gardeners
head, and shaded his face from the sun;
no PEASANTS garb, or peasants air; and
yet-it was Robin!
why does he not speaky' said the
young girl. tremblngly to herself.
But suddenly the gentleman raised his
hand, passed II across his brow, and held
II there for an instant; then, laying aside
the writing materials which he held,
turned and advanced to meet her.
A low, glad cry escaped the lips Of
Rose on .beholding that face-Robin's
face. aud then she was silent-she turn
ed pale. What was this change which
she bcheld as he came nearer2 what coun.
tenancc was IL? Did she indeed. behold
Robin himself, Or The cloak dropped
from his shoulders.
"Robin-Louis" she uttered, quivering
with emotion.
well, which is III" With the same
light, heaming, sunshiny smile that she
had met every day for the last two weeks
with the familiar voice and air that
blended in one two characters hitherto
distinct, he came forward, and taking her
hands into the gentle yet firm clasp Of
his own, while he drew her to his breast,
repeated: (which is it, Rose? Doubling
and believing, too? Tell me my name,
mignonne"
"Ah, LOuis-Iouis, tell me what this
meansY" she cried, in an imploring tone.
Then you declare that. | am Louis?n
lie said, laughingly; shut see-see how au-
dacious he has grown" And the young
man, with daring tenderness, pressed his
lips to hers. (Which is it now, Rose?'
1T is--Robin-it is Louis; either, and
both. cannot tell. am bewilderedr'
She covered her face with her hands.
"My ROse-my little, faithful, noble
hearted darling" Louis murmured, low
ingly, and with the softest emotion in his
tones, as he led her to seat. my gen
erous-brave Rose, will you forgive this
long and heavy trial? You have conquer
ed-nobly conquered! You are victorious
love. Look up and speak to me. Let me
see, at least, that Louis has not lost the
heart that Robin won."
She did look up. The sweet face, tinged
with reddest bushes, sparkled with blend
Cd tears and smiles.
you deceived me, Louis. see it now
| understand II all. But you deceived
me most cruelty" she said.
And almost broke my own heart,
Rose, as well as your own. All, If you
new how suffered last night, you would
forgive me"'
And Rose could but do so. The period
of probation was passed. The unhappi-
ness to which each had been subjected,
in its duration, was terminated now.
Louis d'Artois had perfected his scheme,
aud tested it fully, to his own satisfac-
tion. The outward charms of the woman
he loved We're nobly equalled by her
truth, her frmness, her constancy. Meth
er ambition, nor PRIDE nor cupidity, had
tempted her, for one instant. to swerve
from her faith. She had remained true
to the humble lover who had won her
first affection.
Rose, do you love me? viii you take
Louis now?" asked the count, with arch
tenderness.
How. can take Louis? | am prom
ised to Robin" returned she. gravely. 81
came here to meet Robin; he has vanish,
ed and you nre answerable for his disap-
pearance. l refused Louis last night"
NAY, then-I will become a gardener
again, for your sake, love. | will put on
my peasants dress once more and take
my spade. and toll in the garden from
morning till night; while you sit, as You
used to sit, just by the cottage door and
sing to me while you sew. What pret-
ty cottage girl you were, Rose! l believe
l loved you the first time we met"
"And l thought"
"Ah, what, Rose?"
"That you loved Helen" she answered,
blushing.
0IInlav, tbn,, E+tln ,,,o,sn ,,,L,+ 49,,
that thought into thy pretty head?"
1T came there, Louis; | do not know
well how. suspect the idea was very
natural one. She is so beautifulm
my pet, Helen must never hear You
acknowledge that little piece Of innocent
audacity. Helen? All, she would smile
with amusement at the mere mention of
such thing! She would not marry me,
Rose,l do like her very dearly. She
likes me, also, quite as well, believe;
but should as soon contemplate an alli-
ance with queen as with her"
You make me smile, Louis. How mod.
est you are! You mean to say that
Helen"
II mean to say, Rose, that my proud
and lovely cousin will be content to re-
main unwedded all her days rather than
wed with so humble parsonage as my,
self. She is dear cousin, Rose; but
think that, secretly, she is ambitious
Francis Egerton loves her. am sure
but do you not see that she treats him
coldlyF"
81 thought it was so" said Rose, in a
half-musing tone,
"And, speaking Of that same Francis
Egerton, do you know, Rose, that came
near being Jealous of him on the first
evening of my return hitherf He was
continually near you. He seemed chain
ed to your side"
"And YOU to that Of Helen. do You re