The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1904-01-02
CHAPTER XVI

There was talk of the approaching
wedding day. The impotence of Louis
had urged it's being fixed at an early pc
riod. He asserted that delay of three
months would be quite sufficient His
gay and vivacious yet earnest arguments
were half accepted. The marquis was in
ciined to favor them, though it was evil
IDENTIFY with sore struggle 1t was not
until now that he had realized the full
depth Of his affection for Rose. She had
become very dear to him. Her gentle
ness and innocence and goodness of heart,
her childlike loVellness, and more than all,
her likeness to one beloved in by-gone
years. endeared her to the heart of this
second father He shrunk from speak
ing of the parting, though he could not
deny to Louis the boon so earnestly
sought.
1t could be seen, by a close observer,
that now, while this discussion was going
on and one and another laying plans
touching the event, Rose herself said lit
tle merely giving assent to the various
propositions laid before her, and seeming
to take but passive part in the general
action. There was. too, at times, a GER
tain gravity, which might as well have
been called actual sadness, in her de-
mranof, and which could not we'll be ac-
counted for. Gradually 1t became so evil
dent that it occasioned the deepest I'M
eastnSsS in the breast of Louis. He en-
deaVored to draw from her the cause Of
it. She seemed disinclined to acouaint
him with the origin Of this unusual mood.
You are i'll, dear Rose? he asked,
with lovers solictude.
Il am not i'll, Louis; indeed, you alarm
yourself unnecessarily"
Then you are unhappy"
Il am not exactly unhappy, either"
One month of the three had passad
away.
There are but two months now, Rose"
said the happy young man.
And Rose, even as she received the kiss
her lover gave so fondly, turned awav to
sigh. He observed it with increased nm
easinesS.
My dear uncle" he said to the mar
quis, what can all Rose? | am sure she
Is not quite happy, though she refuses
to admit it."
The marquis did not observe the down.
cast mood of the young girl for the first
time now. He had watched it since Ire
commencement, and meditated seriouslv
and with deep concern on the subject
AT length one day he sent for her to come
to him in the library.
My dear child" he said, 81 must know
the reason and the nature of this gloom
which continually rests upon your spirits.
1t Is, as you must be aware, a matter of
some anxiety to me. You do not denv
that If not precisely unhappy, there is
yet some wish to be granted-some desire
to be fulfilled, which could restore to Won
your usual serenity?"
i will not deny it, monsieur" she re-
turned, quietly and sadly.
And you will not tell me what II is
this wish? Dear Rose, this reserve
pains me extremely. am sure you would
not wish to cause me a moments dis.
quiet and yet you unconsciously give me
the utmost apprehension. You confide
neither IN Helen nor Louis; then | en-
treat you to be, at least, frank with ma
Is it anything which / can do to gratifv
you, my child?"
indeed, l scarcely think So" answered
NoSe' 1 do not think any one here could
bring me what l wish. 1t is"
hose, think l know what YOU wish
l nave thought OF it more than onca-of
| the very subject, doubtless, upon which
you are secretly dwelling at this momapt
You have not seen your father in q loro,
time. You are about to take a most inn.
poItant step, and you wish to see him.
" tel MN OF all this. Is it not so?''