The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1904-01-21
CHAPTER XXI.

lamps casting a subdued glow about Tue
apartment, yet so disposed as to leave III
shadow the curtained couch and Its SUM
bering occupant. For Rose was sleeping
calmly, so calmly, so quietly, that YOU
might almost have thought her dead nc
breath that hoated from those paie ups
was scarcely perceptible, though reguihi'
so much had illness reduced her strength
She slept. nor dreamed of danger.
For the first time to-day the invailu
was left alone. But suddenly the uoo,
near the head of the couch was opeheu
noselessly, and with slow and steaithy
caution, from without. tail' ish'
robed, ghost-lke form glided In WITHOUT
a sound-ghost-like except for the 'arse'
brilliant dark eyes that cleaned more
wildly than ever tonight and the GRIM
son spot of excitement burning on either
cheek, while all the rest Of that race was
ashy white. 1t was Helen Montauban!
What more fitting time was there for ner
work of evil to be accomplished! None
could witness her now: none were near
this place. And the tiny flask cleaned
in the softened light as she drew 1T from
her bosom.
One hand, holding the VIAL was stretch
stand by the bedside. Courage. ana the
work is done. Yet that guilty hand shook
with fear, as, drop by drop, the poison
was poured into the cup. And Helen
Montauban glanced fearfully towards the
door by which she had entered; for it al
most seemed. to her miserable, horror
struck fancy, that some one must pe
watching her.
Id hnr n
CHASTITY smile at her own nervousness, she
silently mingled the poison with the night
drink Of Rose; then, as noiselessly as sue
had entered returned to her own room
across the gallery. 1t was done! What
had she to fear now? Who would ever
dream. when the hour of death came,
that such agency as this had been en-
plOyed? Closing the door. she paced her
chamber restlessly. with both hands
clasped tightly against her heart, whose
violent throbbings seemed to hll with
clamOrous sound this awful midnight ST.
lence. Listening in almost intolerable
suspense. and pacing her apartment she
waited for some signal from the opposite
chamber.
A whole hour passed. Then there was
a sOund-a light step-in the gallery. IL
was the Countess de Clairville. return
Ing to the bedside of Rose. Helen Mon
tauban could endure this suspense no
longer. She must see, with her own eyes,
the conclusion of this tragedy. Emerg-
ing from her apartment. therefore. she
Joined the countess, as she entered the
opposite door.
"Ah, my dear, is that you? Then you
have been asleep alsOT said the countess,
smiling. But 1t is rather chilly tonight
do you not think so?"
"Yes-it is cold" uttered Helen Mon
tauban, hoarsely-"it Is cold!' and she
shivered.
She drew near the fire and crouched
shudderingly over the broad blaze. The
Countess de Clarville went to the couch
of Rose and bent over it for an instant.
"The dear child is asleep, think" she
said, presently, returning to the hearth
"How refreshing-how delightful it is for
one to see her once more enjoying so gen
tie slumber! Poor little Rose! she must
be well nigh worn out with this fatigu-
ing illness. l wonder" the lady contin-
ued, seating herself by the hearth, oppo-
site MademOiselle MOntauban-"l won
der how her father is down at the vii
lage? They thought he was dying this
morning when the marquis went down.
What a sad thing 1t would have been II
the father and daughter had both died.!
She spoke in subdued whispers.
Mademoiselle Montauban bent lower
over the blaze, warming her hands.
And peculiar, too" she returned, in
a low tone. But we cannot be too care
full of her, even now: for NJ. Merry says
that, in her present feeble state. the least
excitement or alarm might be fatal to
her. dread that. l think. suppose any
thing should happen. after all our re-
joicing? We must be so cautious. The
least thing. you know-the least thing
might kill herr
She shook as she uttered these words;
her eyes were wild and strange. Those
delicate, slender hands touched the
flames, as she held them out, but she
never knew it, A species of insanity was
upon her. The protracted contemplation
of this terrible deed. strong as were her
nerves, had begun almost to tell upon
her reason.
II wonder if Hugh Lamonte is still liv-
ingT continued the countess. 1T Is a
pity that he could not be brought here;
but Jean Morel said they had declared
Il impossible to move him with safety.
Besides, it would be dangerous to Rose,
perhaps. il he were in her vicinity, for
she would be more likely to gain some
knowledge of his situation. Yet what a
sorrowful thing il is that they cannot bid
each other adieu"
At that moment the door near the head
OF the couch was opened. Both the coun-
tess and Helen turned to see who en-
tho nhuSioion
He paused by the bedside an instant. bent
over Rose and listened. Her respiration
was calm and regular, though almost i'm
perceptible. After regarding her a mo-
ment, he advanced silently towards the
lnarth A chill strunL tb..o...-I -