The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1903-10-29

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! lect surer spot than this. But l am
glad you are here This one-handed work
is rather awkward. Just fasten the band
age about it tightly, if you please-so.
| That is it. Be sure the knot is fast"
And during this time Louis had con-
cuded, since Jacques had drawn his own
differences, to let him keep them, and tell
him nothing concerning the actual state
of the matter; for a thought had sud-
denly occurred to him, as he endeavored
| to account for the case himself, which
made him resolve to trust his own dex-
| terity in finding out the truth, and keep
silent on the subject until them. For
whoever had fired this shot at him was
an enemy, since he could not bring him
| self to believe the deed unintentional.
And what enemy had he besides Gas
| parde?
Louis passed several days in deep reiec-
ton. A double object occupied his at
| tention, which was, in part, the discov
cry of the present whereabouts of Gas
parde, whom he believed to be in the
| neighborhood without the knowledge of
Hugh Lamonte: the other point the read
er will presently understand
A lf-perfected scheme was in pro-
gress of completion. For time, as we
have said. he meditated on this, and
finally laid it out to his own satisfac-
| ton.
BY this time his arm was almost en-
| tirely healed. He had remained within
doors for some days; but now resumed his
usual out-ofdoor amusements, taking
| good care, however, to avoid every place
wherein a foe might lie concealed.
Some careless inquiries which he made
of Rose and her father, assured him that,
even if Gasparde were in the neighbor-
hood, they were unconscious of it. He
resolved to set a watch, however. to as
certain the amount of correctness in his
suspicious.
One day. very shortly after the occur
rences above recorded Louis received let
ters from Lyons which seemed to inter
est him very deeply. Business of some
Importance he announced, OBLIGED him to
leave the chateau sooner than he had in
tended. The good marquis expressed the
utmost concern and regret at hearing
this.
why, my dear Louis" said he, 81
counted on keeping you for months yet.
Why will you go? Surely you can sub
nit to your agent, or avOcet, all affairs
of business for the present"
MY dear uncle the case is impera-
tive" answered the count.
Then, as soon as this affair is trans
acted, you will return to us? | will hear
of no refusal"
Il promise you, monsieur, 1 will re-
turn"
Helen Montauban had waited silently
for the decision. She made no attempt to
urge Louis to prolong his stay. She did
not even express regret at the an
nouncement of his intended departure on
the following day; but a closer observer
might have seen the emotion which she
felt And she received the parting kiss
of her handsome cousin with smile
my dear Helen" he said, frankly, talk
ing her hands in his, tell me that you
are sorry to bid me adieu, or shall not
believe it,
Il do regret your departure, Louis" she
answered, in a low, clear tone; but why
should 1 display it? You say your bust
ness is imperative, and would not detain
you. Besides. you are to return"
"Yes-I shall return" he echoed.
"Adieu, sweet cousin.''
Louis" said the marquis, as he ac-
court, "you must mind and come back
as soon as possible. If the plan which
mentioned the other day succeeds, Rose
will be an inmate of the chateau before
winter. Poor little Rose! one cannot but
| wish to see her in such circumstances as
seem more befitting her. Helen needs
friend and companion, too, and both
will be benefited. If Hugh Lamonte will
70 with har hn oh
The first thing that put this plan into my
| thoughts was the prosecutions of that fell
| low Gasparde. I wished to remove her
from his way. To be sure, he is not here
at present but then there is no knowing
how soon he may return. l shall talk
with Hugh shall talk with him; and
Helen will use her influence, too, l know,
for she likes Rose. So when you return,
you may, perhaps, find another cousin,
| Louis"
"Your plan is an excellent one, my dear
uncle" returned the young man, "and
| l wish you all success. Depend upon it,
the endeavors which you and my cousin
make, for the benefit of Rose, will not be
! thrown away"
The gate of the court closed; the guest
! was gone.
Slowly rode master and man down the
valley to the little inn by the roadside,
and here Louis dismounted. Immediate
ly, as he did so, there came from an
inner room young man, who, appearing
at the door, made a respectful Obeisance
to Louis, saying:
"Ah! monsieur; you see l am pune
tual"
"Good"' answered the count. How
long have you been here?"
Three hours fully, think"
"That is well. | see you do not forget