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


sud the storm pursued with all possible
haste the road to the chateau. There
was no shelter near The light form OF
Rose was as nothing in the strong arms
of the marquis. Rapidly he bore hei
along. keeping the folds of his cloak
well wrapped about her.
I'VE are almost at the village, salu
Francis Egerton, as he supported his
companion with lovers tenderness 'ha'
met now with no repulse.
For Helen Montauban knew nothing OF
it. She was saying to herselt, Is rose
dead? Has she escaped me! Am 10
be spared my work at LAST she iis'eh.
ed for a sgh-a groan. from the Ups Oh
that inanmate figure that was borne De
fore her. No sound was heard from
them Already. 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 Tor
her now; they were unheard. She only
longed for light-light, to behold that
childish conference.-the know the truth.
But so near were they to the farm
houses now that no delay was made; the
first one was entered, and Rose placed
upon a couch while the farmers wives
crowded about, with earnest klndness
and sympathy. to render assistance. But
at the sight of that pale, quiet race, those
closed eyeids and cOlorless lips, they
were silent; and some whispered among
themselves, "She is dead.' while others
with scarce hope, yet seeking still for
one, worked over the lifeess form. Ana
without stood the marquis and the count
de Clairvile and Francis Egerton by the
fire i'm the great farm kitchen, in dread,
silence and suspense.
Helen Montauban and the countess hau
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 them 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
whsper-"she lives!
"It is a lier' 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 a burning glance. heart that stood
oil 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. 80, yes; | remember re-
member nOw!'
Helen Montauban was gone. In an ad-
joining chamber she removed the satu-
rated garments she had worn, and sub
stituted 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 a limb from weakness. The in
juries that others had escaped. she had
received; and from being so long exposed
to the storm. 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 wild
brilliancy in those soft eyes, and a
scorching flush upon her beautiful cheek.
1t was pitiful to hear her wandering
words, and listen to the incoherent ming
lings OF sorrow and joy. in her wild de-
lirium. The marquis looked upon her
once, and then turned away with stream
ing eyes from the room, to seclude 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 eve 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