Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1907-07-25
G r a n v i | | e

her twice upon the lips. She trembIed
violently, but thrust him away from her,
repeating in tones of entreaty:
BE careful. 0, do be careful ~
He was himself once more He placed
the half-fainting form of the girl upon
the sofa, and hurried away. He was
about to commence his descent from the
window. and had already swung the old
fashioned, diamond-paned sash half way
open, when Harriet, in whose agitated
mind the fear of discovery overcame all
feminine weakness, rushed forward, and,
catching hold of his arm, exclaimed:
You are too late! Come back. Be
quick, or you will be seen"
Van Lith had just time to close the
window when, through a chink in the cur
tains, he saw hooded barouche, drawn
by two powerful horses, sweep rapidly
around the bend of the avenue and draw
up at the main entrance of the chateau.
From the vehicle there alighted a gentle
man of about thirty years of age. With
great show of attention he first assist
ed a young lady, evidently still in her
teens, to descend. He then with much
solicitude placed his nattily gloved hand
at the disposal of the third occupant of
the carriage, a grayhaired lady, evident
ly we'll advanced in years, for she leaned
heavily upon the shoulders of both her
companions. She shivered slightly as she
stood upon the gravel path in the moon
light, notwithstanding that the night was
warm.
There were traces yet of extreme beau
ty in this woman's features, who, as
Sarah Graham, had once been the toast Of
the club rooms in fashionable New York
1t was still the face of a refined and cul-
tured American lady. The nose was thin
and aquiline, and an expression at once
| naughty, yet kindly withal, sat upon the
mobile, nervous lips. Jewels flashed
upon her still firm neck and her little
wrists. She held herself erect and her
| eyes flashed proudly, as she looked upon
her splendid home.
Emily, my dear, have left my shawl
in the carriage. Will you please hand
| it to me? Monsieur Chabot, your arm"
| The younger lady at once sprang light
! " into the carriage, and returning with
| the shawl, wrapped it closely about her
aunt. There was an inexpressible ten
| derness in the action.
How thoughtless of me, dear. You
might have taken cold. Don't ring, Mon
sieur Chabot. l have a latch key. All,
here is Pierre. Pierre, are you sitting
up? / hope there's some supper ready,
for I'm hungry as 1 can be. Come, aunt
let's go in
But something seemed to have attract
ed Nine. Roupell's attention. She with
drew her hand from the arm of her male
escort, and adjusting her monocle
dainty toy of gold and ivory, gazed stead
| lily at the upper windows of the chateau.
isn't it rather strange, my dear, that
there's a light in Harriet's room?
| thought she was going to bed. If her
| headache was no worse than that, she
might as we'll have accompanied us this
evening. When l was young girl, Mon
sieur Chabot, it would have taken some
thing more than a headache to keep me
| away from the OPERA"
NJ. Chabot smiled, and showed his
white teeth pleasantly.
Madame can still teach us inexperi-
enced people how to enjoy life" he re-
| marked, calamity. 1T remained for the
| United States to send to France another
| Ninon D'Enelos, to prove that charming
women never grow old"
Really, Monsieur Chabst, I am over
whelmed. For simplicity and natural
ness in compliment, my dear Emily, let
me recommend this fatterer."
Nine. Roupell's favorite pastime was
| to make NJ. Chabot believe that his ex-
aggerated praises of her as a great lady
struck home. One of her sayings was,
Il like Monsieur Chabot He is such
sincere humbug," but she must have really
! been a little moved on this occasion, for
her smooth, white fingers on the French
mans coat sleeve frightened their pressure
and her face lightened wonderfully.
Harriet, sheltered by the window cur
tains, looked at Van Lith, who ground
his teeth so furiously that, notwithstand-
! ing the gravity of the situation, the girl
could not forbear laughing. Nine Rou-
| peIl below was still smiling at the French
mans compliment.
Let US go inside she said, at last
| mo doubt we shall find some supper
somewhere. Poor Harriet. l trust she
is not sick. l will go right upstairs and
| see how she is.
That's comforting tidings, anyway"
| thought Van Lith, who had again eau
| tiously opened the window, and to whom,
as he peered through the curtains, every
word uttered by the party below was dis
tinctly audible. Look here, Harriet,
what on earth am l to do? Madame
Roupeli is coming to see how you are.
In minute she will be here"
Harriet'S cheeks blanched for a mo-
ment, for from her station near the door
of the chamber she could already hear
Nine Roupell's footsteps ascending the
stairs.
Come here" she cried to Van Lith,
frantically. There is no one sleeping in
your old room. Run across the hall
quickly, and hide yourself there until L
call you. | will lock you In, so my
aunt will have to go the other way. You
must return through her sitting room to
the corridor. You can do it easily, for
she is sound sleeper"
Van Lith did as he was directed. Har-
riet had barely time to turn the key on
him, return to her chamber, seat herself
and snatch up a book, when her aunt's
| footsteps were heard in the corridor. and
a moment later the old lady entered the
apartment.
Awake yet, my dear child? Can't you
sleep? Oh! You are thinking of that
young scamp, I'm afraid. Well.
wouldn't if 1 were you. He isn't worth
it. Besides, if you don't 90 to bed earlier
where will the roses go to?"
She stopped and kissed her niece ten
derry on both cheeks. and then went to
| the window.
Il mustn't keep the horses out all
! night. Jean! Jean
The coachman turned on the box and
| looked up at the window.
You can so to the stables. Monsieur
| Chabot will not return to the city to-
night"
Mime. Roupell closed the window again
and came back to where her niece was
sitting.
Monsieur Chabot sleeps here to-
night?" inquired Harriet, in a tone of
| apparent unconcern. while her heart was
really beating violently. Where will
you put him, sunty?"
Cant he have Monsieur Van Lth's
old room, dear?'
Not very well. But the chamber off