The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1903-12-17

quietly entered. The marquis stood at
the further end of the apartment, in
company with a gentleman-a stranger.
and both had their faces turned from the
door. They had not heard her come in.
She paused an instant longer, and looked
about her. No other person was in the
room. Robin, then, was not here. She
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 attired
in a suit of deep black, with a short cloak
of sable velvet dropping from his shout
ders, held in one hand a pen and small
portfolio of papers; the other rested on
the table beside him., supporting him, as
he leaned forward towards the marquis.
Suddenly the latter, aroused by some
movement of Rose, turned and beheld her,
and Immediately, after whispering a sin
gle word to his companion, advanced to
meet the young girl. There was an arch
smile on his countenance as he bent down
to kiss her.
Rose, my pet" he said, simply, 'yon
der is Robin: go and meet him." And he
passed her directly. leaving the apart
ment and closing the door behind him.
THAT Robin?' Rose, in her astonish-
ment, could neither speak nor move.
THAT Robin 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
-.
hat, such as had covered the gardener
head, and shaded his face from the sun;
no peasants garb, or PEASANTS air; and
yeti was Robin.
why does he not speak?" said the
young girl, tremblingly to herself.
But suddenly the gentleman raised his
hand, passed it across his brow, and held
it there for an instant; then laying aside
the writing materials which he held,
turned and advanced tQrpeet her.
A low, glad cry escaped the lips Of
Rose on beholding that face-Robin's
face and then she was silent-she turn
ed pale. What was this change which
she beheld as he came nearer? what coun-
tenance was it? Did she indeed behold
Robin himself, Or The cloak dropped
from his shoulders.
"Robin-Louis!" she uttered, quivering
with emotion.
well, which is itT With the same
light, beaming, sunshny 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
10 no 10 lie ar
repeated: (Which is it, Rose? Doubling
and believing, too? Tell me my name,
mignonne!
"Ah, LoWs-Louis, tell me what this
means?" she cried in an imploring tone.
Then you declare that l am LOUISE"
he said, laughingly: "but 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 bewildered!'
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 a seat. my gen
erous-brave Rose, will you forgive this
long and heavy trial?N 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
ed tears and smiles.
you deceived me, Louis. / see it now
I understand it all. But you deceived
me most cruelty" she said.
"And almost broke my own heart
Rose, as well as your own. All. IL you
new how l 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 it's duration, was terminated now
Louis d'Artois had perfected his scheme
and tested it fully, to his own satisfac
ton. The outward charms of the woman
he loved were nobly equalled by hei
truth. her firmness, her constancy. Meth
| err ambition, nor pride. nor cupidity, hat
| tempted her, for one instant, to swervt
from her faith. She had remained true
to the humble lover who had won hel
first affection.
'Rose. do you love me? will you take
Louis now?" asked the count, with arcl
tenderness.
"How can I take Louis? l am prom
sed to Robin" returned she, gravely So
came here to meet Robin: he has vanish
ed and you are answerable for his disap
pearance. / refused Louis last night"
NAY, then-I will become a gardene
again, for your sake, love. I will put oil
4