Condon globe. (Condon, Gilliam Co., Or.) 189?-1919, 1903-11-26
CHAPTER XIV.


from her couch at dawn, and her heart
beat faster. and her cheeks flushed with
deeper red. and her sweet hazel eyes
sparkled with happy excitement as she
sat before her mirror The blue.eyed
Finetto was In rapiures.
Rose had hardly thought, during the
absence OF Robin. that she could be so
deeply excited by the news OF his antici-
pated return; hut she was too oyerJoyed
20 remain quiet q single moment. Al
breakfast, 1t was impossible for her 10
| eat; and the remarks everywhere made
! concerning the sudden Improvement In
her appearance. MS well as on her sud
den and contradictory loss OF appetite,
increased the tinge Of crimson that al
ready glowed In her young cheek.
One thing dctracted from her other
wise perfect happiness. Louis had ex'
cuSed himself from appearing. She had
scarcely seen him the night before. after
leaving the library, and then he had been
unusually quiet, commnning with him
self during the entire evening; aud he
was absent this morning. She ionged to
see him--to hear him speak, that she
might know he was not offended with
her: for she remembered the interview
between them; and might not the abrupt
ness-the violence, perhaps, OF her man.
ner. unconscious though IL was, have
wounded him? Yes; despite the tender.
ness OF that silent parting How her
pulse auickened at the remembrance OF
his embraced She could but sigh.
/ .,vl, hhn
| Ruhing" soliloquized the young girl
"Will monsieur lc marquis call me into
the library. wonder? Or will the meet
ing take place here. among all these peo.
pie? Where Is Robin?" was her next
restless inquiry-an inquiry which she
had started a thousand times, and as a
matter Of course, in vain, since the pre-.
vious evening; "and where Is II that mon,
sicur le marquis has seen him so often OF
| lnteT
Her queries were interrupted by observ'
ing suddenly that the marquis was about
to leave the apartment.
"Ah, he has not said word TO me-"
meaitated Rose. "He tantalizcs me. VIII
he not come back and speak-only three
words? VIII he not even look at me
that may understand--that ! may know
whether Robin is coming soony
But he neither spoke. turned nor gave
her single glance. Yet there was some.
thing. despite his evident care, which be-
| trayed In his countenance the sympathy
he felt with Rose. He went out. The
Count de Clairville talked. aside, with his
wife. Helen Montauhan, at n distant
window. sat calmly at her embroidery
Lord Egerton bent over her. and spoke
| from time 10 time, some words, which, II
their effect had been noted, might have
been seen. ever and anon, to be followed
by deeper mantling OF color in the faiI
cheek of the lady, though she scarcely
seemed pleased, either. Anon the youns
man toyed and trilled with the gorgcou.
silks that lay In tangled mass of rain
bow bloom In the tiny basket by Helen's
side; and then his glance rested on hel
face with an expression difficult to be de.
fined. though at times 1t was clearly one
OF unhappiness and disappointment.
But Rose. albeit she glanced towards
the pair more than once hardly took note
OF these things. She could only think
OF the marquis, OF Robin, and OF the an
I lticipated meeting She was restless-un
easy. From one employment to another
Tshe turned, without being able TO settle
her attention undoubtedly upon any in
dividuai thing. Suddenly mademoiScllt
called, gently:
Rose, come hither a moment!'
The young girl advanced towards the
window.
"You wish to speak with me, Helen?'
she asked.
II have been telling Lord Egerton Of
some favorite books of his which are il
the library" returned Mademoiselle Mon
| tauhan, carelessly. "Will you have tht
kindness, Rose, to help him find them
He will tell you their titles"
"Cruel Helenv murmured Francis Egg
erton, reproachfully, as he glanced at hel
quiet face before turning away.
mot so, my lord" she answered in tn,
same tone. without lifting her eyes.
At that instant domestic entered, ant
coming directly to Rose, informed he
| that monsieur le marquis desired to Sc,
| her Immediately in the library.
The young girls heart bounded violent
ly.
II am going now," she answered; ant
yet she paused.
Francis Egerton glanced back at Hell
en-, with an air, half of triumph, half o.
sorrow, which said plainly. You Sc,
your unkind artifce TO repel me avail,
you nothing Why will you persist il
this conduct-this treatment of me?"
/ TopHoUhon ,a,, A. JaaI.
and read 1t easily; but she never one,
changed countenance, and her eyes wert
instantly fixed on her embroidery again
Lord Egerton turned to Rose:
"You are going, mademoiselleW
"Yes-now." She gathered courage
she would not look up in her companion
face, but hastily proceeded to meet thu
marquis.
Francis accompanied her as far as tn,
library door, and then leaving her, return
ed directly to Helen.
But Rose, even though her hand restet
upon the fastening of the door, had, a
first, scarcely the courage to pass in. Sh
hesitated and trembled, but finally, laugh
ing at herself for little coward, sh
quietly entered. The marquis stood q
the further end of the apartment, il
company with gentleman-a stranger
and both had their faces turned from tn
door. They had not heard her come in
She paused aninstant longer, and locke,
about her. No other person was In tn
room, Robin, then, was not here. Sh
had half expected she hardly knew why
| to see him at this moment, and she sigh
| ed, The marquis still continued his con
versation with the stranger, This per
son, who was richly yet plainly attire
In snit OF deen black. with a short cloal