Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1903-12-01
nemberr, archlx asked Rose. ~probabIy

memberT' archly asked REESE. Probably
the latter circumstance was the cause Of
the former
He laughed.
Perhaps; but think, if he had never
seen Helen, he would have been your
captive. How would you have treated
him, petite?-as you treated me last
nightT
Yes
81 believe it. How fortunate he is!
endured agony last evening, Rsse!
His tone was sad as he said it.
Agony, LOUISE"
LEST / should gain the very boon
seemed 10 earnestly to crave. But you
| were true to Robin. l was more than
satisfied with the result of my trial. And
then, what joy filled my breast, with the
ringing echo Of that sorrowful, yet firm
denial Of my suit! 1t was music to me-"
why, Louis-Louis! Where are you,
| my boy?" shouted the rich, clear, merry
voice Of the Count de Clairville, from the
terrace; and the next moment they heard
his step approaching the library.
Rose sprang up.
"Let me go, Louis" she said.
away, then, my bird!' And he sprang
to a side door that opened on a staircase
| Rose. Our mischievous friend, l strongly
suspect, knows all about this business Of
| ours and is inclined to tease me little"
And the door closed behind Rose just
as the summons of the count was heard
at the opposite entrance.
1t required some hours of retirement
and silence in the solitude Of her own
chamber to restore to Rose anything like
her usual tranquility. The excitement of
the. last four-and-twenty hours had their
effect on her, and every nerve was thrill
ing to the tension produced by 1t. Quiet
| was impossible; so she fastened her door,
and walked the floor to work off in some
degree the restless agitation she felt.
When she had succeeded in wearying
herself with the exercise she sat down,
and leaning back among the cushions,
laughingly and resolutely shut her eyes,
| with the determination to sleep. This
was a difficult matter, however. Her
mind was not quite composed yet. Rose,
after she had bathed her face, had her
hair re-arranged and made some altera-
tions in her dress and descended to the
saloon.
Louis was gone to the village. The
| marquis and his friend, Count Frederic,
| walking together on the terrace, were en-
gagged in conversation. The Countess
Marie, in one corner, read quietly from
a favorite book. Helen Montauban
worked at her embroidery and
wore brighter and better pleased ex-
els Egerton was away She beckoned
Rose Immediately to her side.
"Truant! where have you beenY she
up,ilip polu Cba fbo
girl sit by her and stroked her bright
hair.
"In my chamber, Helea,' answered
Rose, laying her pretty head against the
| shoulder Of her companion, with happy
and loving confidence.
"a penance of solitude and reflection,
my fair sister? What sin have you COM
| mitted ?''
"No sin-no penance was mine. I was
restless. I went to become calm and
| quiet"
"And succeeded, I think. But what
ails you, Rose? What is i'm your eyes
your face? Some reflex from underlying
emotions emotions. You have had
| good news"
"No-yes! All, do not ask meat least,
not now!' laughed the young girl. "Come
| to my chamber to-night-will you, Helen :?
or, I will come to yours; it does not mat
ter which; and then I will tell you what
1 cannot-dare not tell you now, here, in
this broad daylight, with eyes and ears
all about us. Yes-ah, yes, Heleni I am
gladv' She laid her face on Helen's
breast and clasped her arms about her.
A strange expression fitted for a mo-
ment over the countenance of Mademoi-
selle Montauban. It filed her dark eyes
with a glance Of quick and searching
meaning, as they rested fixedly on Rose.
But it was only for an instant; for Rose
lifted her head again, and those sweep
| ing, jetty eyelashes yelled every CLEAN Of
| the awakened spirit.
(To be continued)