The Kendrick gazette. [volume] (Kendrick, Idaho) 1892-1968, 1908-03-20
The Roupell Mystery

to stand by her. 1t would be but poor
return on your part for all her kindness
TO you if you didn't; but in wronging
me she has wronged you as we'll. In
opposing our union, she not only wrecks
my happiness, but yours"
He was quieter presently. In the soft
enng influence of Harriet Weldon's pres
ence his evil genius seemed to desert him.
The angry expression of his features re-
laxed. They sat side by side and began
to talk. Still pleading with him, Harriet
Weldon strove TO persuade her lover to
| abandon his intention of Immediately
| leaving France.
Il have given you all my heart" she
said, tearfully. land now you are going
away, pe"haps forever-but bark, what
sound is ;hat?"
She lea ned out Of the window and list
ened intently for moment. The sound
of wheels on the carriage drive was dis
tinctly audible. She rushed to the man
| tlepiecc where little clock stood ticking
away The precious moments.
| 1T is lon; East twelve" she cxclaim-
ed. That's their carriage we hear.
| They've come back from the opera. o.
| Charlie. go, go. beg you, while you can
| get away"
Van Lith turned at once to go. For
a moment only he held her to his breast.
Into that brief interval of time were COM
pressed hundred different emotions.
which stirred him as he had not been
stirred for many day.
Il cannot. yet | must leave you," he
cried
He bowed his head little and kissed
her twice upon the lips. She trembed
violently, but thrust him away from her.
repeating in tones of entreaty:
BE careful o, 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 chink in the cur
tains, he saw a 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 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
| ba hot LODI
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 refined and cul
tured American lady. The nose was thir
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 hel
eyes flashed proudly, as she looked upor
her splendid home.
Emily, my dear, l have left my shaw
. in the carriage. Will you please hant
. it to me? Monsieur Chabot, your ARM
! The younger lady at once sprang light
ly into the carriage, and returning will
: the shawl wrapped it closely about he
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 sttin:
up? l hope there's some supper ready
n for I'm hungry as | 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 NAL,
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, tina
/ there's a light in Harriets room?
o thought she was going to bed. If he
u headache was no worse than that. sh
p might as we'll have accompanied us thi
:. evening. When l was a young girl. Mon
II nieur Chahot. it would have taken some
thing more than headache to keep IN
n away from the OPERA
y NJ. Chabot smiled, and showed hi
Y white teeth pleasantly.
Madame can still teach us inexperi
= ,nced people how to enjoy life" he re
II marked, calamity. ut remained for tn
United States to send to France anothe
p" Sinon D'Enclos to prove that charmin
d women never grow old"
e, Really, Monsieur Chabot. l am over
It whelmed. For simplicity and natural
II ness in compliment. my dear Emily, lie
It me recommend this fatterer."
d Nine. Roupelrs favorte pastime wa
t.. to make NJ. Chabot believe that his eS
IS aggerated praises of her as a great lad
struck home. One of her sayings wa:
v Il like Monsieur Chabot. He is such
,e sincere humbug" but she must have reall
a. been little moved on this occasion, 70
t her smooth white fingers on the French
ID mans coat sleeve frightened their pressur
and her face lightened wonderfully.
n Harriet, sheltered by the window cul
er tains. looked at Van Lith, who groun
Is mis- teeth so furiously that, notwithstant
A. ing the gravity of the situation, the gil
st could not forbear laughing. Nine. Ro,
pel below was still smiling at the French
a mans complipant