The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1904-01-14
CHAPTER Xxx.

1t was nearly morning when the cure
| came to the chateau to request an inter
| view with the marquis. He told him that
| Hugh Lamonte was at the village inn
and dying. The marquis, astonished and
affected at this sudden announcement, in
the midst Of his joy for the safety of
Rose prepared Immediately to visit him;
and the physician, NJ. Merry, satisfied
| that the most favorable change had TAX
en- place in his patients case, left her
| In the care of Mademoiselle Montauban
| and the countess and accompanied the
| marquis.
| In a few moments the party arrived
| at the auberge. Maurice met them with
| a nominous countenance.
How is he-is there any change? ask
ed the cure, anxiously.
None monsieur" answered the man.
"He raves still; but he talks of some gull
ty deed to be atoned for--some secret to
be confessed. l can make nothing sat
isfactory, though, out of what he says,
he wanders So"
The three assembled to the chamber
above, where lay the dying man. The
marquis started as he beheld him, stretch
ed out upon the couch, with his wild, I'M
shorn and emaciated countenance, and
coarse, rough garments, which. he had
not suffered to be removed, presenting a
spectacle so wretched. The kind-hearted
old man could scarcely refrain from she'd
ding tears as he gazed upon the wreck
Of that one proud form.
rs this indeed Hugh Lamonte?" he
exclaimed, advancing towards the couch.
"Who calls Hugh LAmonte? shouted
the sick man, sternly; "who calls him
the outcast-the robber? Who calls him.
| say? And who are your fixing his
wild, cleaning eyes upon the countenance
Of the marquis. "Ah, Armande MOntau
ban, l know you'll know you"' he ut
tered, fercely, trying to spring upright,
yet failing from very weakness. Don't
come near me, or | shall murder you.
Where is Guidette ?-where is she? You
have hidden her from me! You have
welded her; and she was mine-mine!
You stole her from me. l will have your
blood"'
He sank back, exhausted, with white
lips.
Cookbook" monsieur" uttered the
cure, springing to the side of the mar
quis-'look, M. Merry, the marquis is
faintingv'
his friend attracted the physicians atten-
ton. CONSERVATION and alarm were Wis
ible in his features.
Let us carry him out into another
rcom-quick!' he said, excitedly.
Together they bore him to an adjoining
apartment, and there commenced the
application Of restoratves. But come
moments elapsed ere he betrayed signs Of
returning consciousness. Then he reviv-
ed slowly, and for some time gazed fixed
ly upon the face of Nj. Merry. Then a
low moan escaped his lips.
"Gustave, / have seen my brother!' he
uttered
your brother?' echoed NJ. Merry, in
astonished excitement.
1T Is true! 1t is Henri who lies there
my brother Henri. Let me go to him."
my dear friend, be calm, command
you," urged the physician, gently.
II am calm; but l must 60 instantly. Ii
he should die-ah, save him, l entreat
YOU"
Weak and trembling as he was, he
made them assist him to re-enter the 9TH
err apartment. They advanced towards
the couch; there was a different sight
there now. From the height Of delirium
Hugh Lamonte was suddenly sinking into
a stupor. His eyes were almost closed.
Only faint, unintelligible murmurs broke
from his lips at times. He did not see
them approach. The cure and M. Merry
cast glances at each other. The marquis
comprehended them.
"You think he is dying. then?' he ask
ed. "Ah, save him. Gustave! We were
enemies Once-he and |. Let him live,
that We may once more embrace one an
otherv'
BE calm, my dear friend" entreated
the physician again, land listen to the
truth. No power on earth can save him
now; he is sinking fast. But maintain
your energies; he may revive before
death, with the possession Of his full rea-
son.
"Ah. Henri murmured the marquis,
with indescribable emotion-''my brother!
that l should recognize you thus, after
all these years! See-see, Gustavev' and
he lifted the matted hair from the tenn
| Piles of the unconscious man-'see where
struck him once! l knew the mark.
Our father told me he would bear it to
the grave-that scar"
How" said NJ. Merry, in a low voice,
''can this be your brother?-this man,
who, for twelve years, has dwelt within
half a league of you, and who has only
been known as peasant?'
"Ah. I recognize him but too wellw
answered the marquis, sadly; lit is he
know him now through the disguise that
has served him so long And did you
not hear his words? He said l stole
| Guidette from him. Alas! it is but too
| true, though l was innocent Of wrong.
Henri-my brother-speak to me! say