The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1904-01-23
cHAPTDR xIX.-(CJ6ntinued.l

tho harness and rise, and in the darkness
and the storm pursued with all possible
haste the road to the chateau. There
wos no shelter near. The light form OF
Rose was as nothing in the strong armS
of the marquis. Rapidly he bore heA
along, keeping the folds OF mas CLOAK
we'll wrapped about her.
eve are almost at the village" said
Francis Egerton, as he supported hie
companion with a lovers tenderness tnat
met now with no repulse. =.
For Helen Montauban knew nothing OF
n She was saying to herself, rs Rose
dead? Has she escaped me? Am to
ho shared my work at last?" She listen
od for a sigh-a groan, from the lips OF
tbo4 inanimate figure that was borne be-
Sora her. No sound was heard from
them. Already, a strange fever OF JOY
mingled with the shivering excitement
The awe, the horror, which Helen Mon
tauban had felt. She never Needed the
rain that poured over her in sheeted tor"
rents; the wild winds ragged in vain for
her now: they were unheard. She only
longed for light-light, to behold that
childish countenance-to know the truth.
But so near we're they to the farm
houses now that no delay was made; the
6rst one was entered, and Rose placed
unon A couch, while the farmers wives
crowded about, with earnest Kindness
and sympathy, to render assistance. But
at the sight of that pale, quiet face, those
closed eyelids and colorlesB lips, they
were silent; and some whispered among
themselves, "She Is dead!' while others,
with scarce a hope, yet seeking still Tor
one. worked over the lifeless form. And
without stood the marquis and the Count
de Clairville and Francis Egerton by the
FIRE in the great farm kitchen, in dread
silence and suspense.
Helen Montauban and the countess had
entered the chamber where Rose was
laid, and rough yet comfortable garments
were offered them to replace their own
dripping ones The countess was already
making this welcome and really neces-
sary change; but Helen Montauban,
thrusting vhem from her, pressed to the
couch.
"Stand asidew she said to the woman.
And she knelt down there to look at that
palid face, round which the dripping
chestnut curls were lying in shining
masses. Once those white lips parted
Redeemed.
"See-see! she lives-she breathes" ut
tered one of the women. in an eager,
tremulous tone, subdued almost to a
whisper-"she lives!'
1T is a lie!' muttered Helen Montau-
ban, between those beautiful shut teeth.
A moment elapsed. The women gath
cred, with glad, excited, hopeful eyes,
about the couch-those poor, simple, hon
est-hearted peasant women, praying for
that young life, whose slender thread one
among them would SO gladly have seen
broken. And fercely watched that one,
with burning glance, heart that stood
all but still. 1t was no lie!
Slowly those lovely eyes Enclosed, and
rested upon the glad, smiling faces gath
cred about the couch. There was no rec
ignition in them at first; but presently,
meeting the anxious glance Of the good
countess, who bent over her, she sighed
family, and putting her hand to her head,
whispered, 20, yes; I remember-1 re-
member nowW
Helen Montauban was gone. In an ad-
Joining chamber she removed the satu-
rated garments she had worn, and sub
gtituted for them the apparel sent from
the chateau by domestic; then proceed
Ing to the kitchen, Joined her father and
his companions, who had just learned
that Rose had revived. The head of the
marquis was bowed, his face buried in
his hands. The emotion of gratitude he
felt at the bringing back Of that young
life almost overcame him.
The night passed and morning broke,
clear and still above the earth, where SO
lately all had been commotion. The voice
Of the tempest had died away In silence.
Broad and fair the sunlight shone above
the pleasant valley. They bore Rose
with gentleness and care back to the cha
teau. She was quite Ill, almost unable
to move limb from weakness. The in
juries that others had escaped, she had
received; and from being so lcng exposed
to the stern, there was every reason to
believe that serious consequences would
ensue.
And the apprehension was justified.
During the day her indisposition increas-
ed, and at night, feverish and delirious,
she tossed upon her couch, with a wild
brilliancy in those soft eyes, and a
Scorching flush upon her beautiful cheek.
1t was pitiful to hear her wandering
~S' OAN AAobCA " LuS IuCOueTSuL ming
!lngs OF sorrow and joy, in her wild de-
hrium. The marquis looked upon her
once, and then turned away with stream
ing eyes from the room, to secIude him
self In the library, where he passed the
night in watchings. The Count. Frederic
and Francis Egerton remained till dawn
IN the saloon. Every domestic in the
chateau kept vigil during those long and
mournful hours; for not an eye could
close IN slumber. Helen Montauban and
the countess had their post in that sick
chamber, beside the couch Of the sick
girl who recognized neither of them, All
night long she raved, and the flush burn
ed strong and steady on her cheek, and
the lightning's flash was not more bril-
dark eyes. WIN NN'O'
Slowly the leaden night hours waxed
ana waned; and Helen Montauban sat
beside the pillow of Rose, regardless Of
Ss.umber: The countess, sitting by the
are, Still wept and prayed in silence The
UV 49, came to the bedside.
{" lou need rest, mademoiselle," he said
cannot l prevail upon you to retire and
eudCcn few hOura' ranosa 11yhIIa T watch