The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1904-01-07
CHAPTER XyJu.-(Continued.)

Hotel de Claryille. Here the kind-heart-
ed Count Frederic and his amable wife
congratulated themselves upon having
gathered together so happy family par
ty: and no pains were spared 10 con-
tribute to the enjoyment of each. Rose
had never been in Paris before; its splen-
doris and gaeties were novel and pleasing
to her. But every enjoyment had its
chief source from the presence OF Louis:
nothing was complete if he were not at
her side to share in her pleasure: and 1t
charmed him to perceive this.
You shall dwell here some day, my
Rose" he said to her, with his own
bright smile that the young girl loved so
well.
And she smiled in return while Helen
Montauban turned away, with dark
CLEAN in her eyes-a darker frown on
that splendid brow.
Some day. How little" said the
naughty woman, mentally, "how little do
they dream that the will of another is
to exercise authority then! They count
confidently on their future-upon the fate
that is awaiting them. All. if they knew
what it is to be-that fate.
Now that Paris was gained, she was
nearer to her purpose, and the fierce inn
patience she had felt subsidized as she
approached to the contamination of that
purpose. Not because she quailed, or
shrank from it, but that now she was
able to contemplate it more nearly-to
look upon her revenge as almost accom-
plished, and she was content to wait yet
longer.
"Helen, you are ill, | think" said Fran
els Egerton in alarm
She had been sitting in the same atti-
tude for full hour, with her head rest
ing on her hand, and those dark. calm
eyes fixed on the floor. But her lips were
very pale, and her face marble white.
You are i'll, Helen" he repeated, gent
ly, bending over to attract her attention,
and laying his hand on hers. But the icy
GOODNESS of that hand chilled and startled
him.
You are not quite right. my lord she
answered: "for | am not i'll exactly and
yet | am not well. | have merely Sc
we're headache" And she pressed her
hand to her brow.
"A headaches that all? Nay, you
are feverish for now your cheeks are
burning. Let me ask your father to send
for PHYSICIAN You may, perhaps,
have taken the fever which is prevailing
In the city Dear Helen, be advisedr'
! "Francis, | command you to remain
where you are" said MademoiSelle Mon
tauban, imperatively. Il have assured
you that | am not i'll, and do not wish
either to attract attention or to interfere
with the enjoyment of others. Since you
are so anxious, shall endeavor to rest
awhile in my own apartment, and may
regain my usual spirits by evening, in
which case will rejoin the family. Pre-
sent my excuses to them, if you please"
She left him and assembled to her cham
Der.
Night came. The rest of the family
were to attend the opera Helen Mon
tauban assigned severe headache as
her reason for not accompanying them,
and remained at home. From the case
ment of her room she looked down and
saw the carriage roll away from the
gates.
An hour afterwards there emerged
from the hotel a youth, wearing broad
hat slouchcd over his eyes and a cloak,
which he drew about him, half concealing
his face with its folds. He looked back
with a hurried. nervous glance as he
gained the portal mo one has seen me-"
he muttered, land the rest is sutiic iently
easy" At rapid pace he FASTENED on.
1t was dark; but the lamps in the streets
poured flood of light along his way as
IL proceeded, AID crowds of pedestrians
passed him and the way was thronged
with carriages aud vehicles of every de-
scription. He only drew his hat further
over his eyes, arranged the folds of the
cloak 50 as more fully to hide his fea-
lures. and hurried along. passing from
one street to another, aud never looking
at single face in all the josting multi
tude about him.
At length. in retired street. he reach
ed the door of building. half shop, half
dwelling; at this door he knocked. A
domestic appeared. bearing light, which
she held up to survey the features of
the youth but he shrunk further back
into the shadow. and gathered the folds
of the cloak more closely about hits face
rs he asked, in low and somewhat
hoarse voice:
is the alchemist at home?'
He is, monsieur viii you come in q
The youth entered, the woman looking
at him with half-curious glance for an
instant; but then muttering TO herself.
'Well-well, | need not trouble my head;
he IS not the first mask that has come
hither. she added aloud: This way,
monsieur; you will find my master in
here" and led the way through the room
into which he had entered from the street
TO back one, opening from the first.
Here was an old man. bent half double,
seated at table, and engaged in porting
over rich and curious volume of an
rque appearance. About the apartment
were arranged i'm different nlacas yar;