Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1908-03-21
The RoupelI Mystery
CHAPTER |.
A II S t y n


tinged the housetops with fiery glow
and FURNISHED the waters of the Seine
with a golden, mellow light. The small
suburb of Villeneuve, distant from the
French capital but fourteen miles, shared
this generous halo of brilliant coloring.
1t lacked just fifteen minutes of eleven
O'Clock when the moon, which was nearly
at the full, rose with slow and majestic
motion above the horizon. and hung sus-
pended between earth and heaven like
huge silver lamp. The great trees which
almost surrounded the chateau Villeneuve
cast across the smooth and velvety lawns
their deep shadows. From the chateau
itself, the light of solitary lamp, pal
Ing to few mere twinking rays, shone
ftfully. Ii came from a window in the
left wing of the building Remote from
the great metropolis, the hush of pro
found peace was here upon everything,
save when stirred by the soft breeze from
the south, the leafy branches of tenderest
green rustled and moved gently to and
fro.
In the deep shade of an enormous oak
which seemed to keep watch and ward
over the sleeping inmates, stood young
man named Charles Van Lith, to whom
every familiar object but conjured up to
his ardent Imagination the interior of
that family illuminated apartment. This
silent watcher continued to gaze for some
moments in the direction of the chateau
His deneanor was that of one undecided
as to what course TO pursue. Twice he
stepped from the shadow of the tree and
placed his foot upon the gravel walk, and
as many times retraced his footsteps.
At length he issued forth more boldly,
though not without caution, to prevent
the crunchng of his shoes upon the
gravel, and stood beneath the window.
Picking up two or three small pebbles,
he threw them against the glass. His
heart beat somewhat faster than its wont
as, after the third essay girl of abou,
nineteen years of age. who had been read
ing by the light of the lamp. left her
seat and opening the swinging easement,
looked out upon the night.
who is thereT she asked, in tone
which indicated some alarm, but singu-
larly sweet aud musical
Its Its Charles" replied the young
fellow don't be frightened. must see
you, if only for a moment. l am going
away. l am leaving France. return
to America tomorrow"
"Oh, nonsense" exclaimed the girl.
"You are saying this just to try me-"
II am not, upon my word. Harriet"
answered Van Lith. my passage is al
ready taken. | sail from Havre to-mor-
row afternoon"
why did you not let me know
earlier" she asked.
II was afraid to write You know
your aunt strictly forbade it. But, Har-
riet, can't get in, if only for few
momentsY"
81 really don't see how you can"
Harriet Weldon began, when the faint re-
monstrance died away upon her lips.
Selling the strong stem Of thick vine
which ran near the window, and assisted
by the trellis work, the young athlete be-
low commenced an ascent which to an
older man would have proved an impossi-
bic feat. In few moments his hand was
on the window sill and the next instant
he had leaped lightly into the chamber.
Harriet, the first raptures of their meet
Ing over, begged him to be gone but he,
sitting beside her on the low window seat.
urged his plea for further time so elo-
quently that she yielded, and could not
find 1t in her heart to dismiss him at
once. The lovers too. had a hundred
condolences to interchange. Harriet told
Van Lith how. since his quarrel with her
aunt, the prosecutions of a certain NJ.
Chabot had become well-nigh intolerable.
She was afraid, moreover that Nine.
Roupell favored his suit.
And now you are going to America,
Charles, and there will be no one to
stand between us. l am sure the man
has not even the excuse of loving me. 1t
is my dowry he is after. He is. no doubt.
aware that Madame ROupell has made
will in favor of Emily and myself"
Charles Van Lith could only clench his
fist in impotent rage. To the house where
he had once been an honored and vel
come guest he now had to come like
thief in the night to seek a farewell in
terview with the only being on earth who
yet loved and trusted him. In his mind
there was burning sense of Injustice
The cold and severe tones in which Nine
Roupell had dismissed him seemed still
ringing in his ears.
do not CO." pleaded Harriet. 81 am
certain that III VIII not be long before nv
aunt viii relent; that. after all. she really
thinks great deal of you: stay, and
will myself go to her on the first oppor-
tunity which offers and plead your
cause"
You are more hopeful than am"
replied Van Lith, bitterly. IF l had
been treated with any show of Justice
why, | would not care But your aunt
is prejudiced against me. am well
aware that Monsieur Chabot has sought
TO undermine her confidence in me. and
he has succeeded. 1 tell you, Harriet.
when | think of all these things 1t makes
me a desperate man."
He had been pacing the floor restlessly
with long, impatient strides. His face
was flushed with anger. With the mem
DRY of Nine. Roupell's merciless treat
ment aroused anew within him, he could
hardly restrain himself.
''She is worse than unjust" he con-
tinued; "she has deliberately opened her
ears to these tales of Chabot's and as