The Rutland County herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1852-1855, 1853-04-23

I As soon as Arthur saw that he was out
Of sight. be turned his horses steps. and
I gallopcd hard toward the charcoal-burn.
! er's hut
When Madeleine returned 10 the hut
and began making a fire. she told her
mother what had passed. aud showed
her the gold piece. They were used 10
this Kind Of treatment, and the mother
did not feel il much now. The seom Of
fificen years had made her dcspise the
world. But Madeleine seemed hurt.
81 do not care" she exclaimed aloud
at last, for what young Monsieur Du-
bois said but ! am vexed that the good
looking stranger should have said that
was not woman J"
You are not a woman but an an
gel" exclaimed Arthur solemnly; he
had approached on foot and had heard
n portion Of their conversation.
The mother and daughter stood still
in dumb amazement.
You seem surprised, madam" said
the young man, addressing the mother;
"you will be still more SO when | add
that have returned with the deliberate
intention of imploring you 10 give me
your daughters hand in marriage /; not
now, instantly, but when you know me
better"
Monsieur" exclaimed the mother
Indignantly. " this is too much. Co.
The felons daughter is still too good for
insult"
Madam" replied Arthur respect
fully, "perhaps your astonishment will
cease when | add that your husband is
innocent, and that | have come sixteen
thousand miles TO prove it,"
You are-speaking-seriously,
gasped the poor woman.
"On my soul and conscience" said
Arthur solemnly.
"Oh joy. OH" shrieked the girl,
clasping the stranger round the neck
the savior has come at last"
Be calm, my dear young lady, and
| will tell you my story in few words.
You will then understand my motives in
coming here. ! scarcely expected to
find you at Solenthal but at last deter
mined to try. l came yesterday night
and soon heard Of your heroic resig-
nation and courage. BE seated, dear
girl, and listen to tidings that will be
joyful indeed TO your flal heart"
Madeleine blushing. her color going
and coming, obeyed, and seated herself
on log near the young stranger.
81 am a young Frenchman, and
about seven years ago ! emigrated to
Peru in search of fortune. ] started as
lawyer, and found business plentiful
enough. knew many Frenchmen in
the place, but merchant of the name of
Gailard was my most intimate friend.
lie was twice my age, grave, even sat
urnine; but he had quaint ways, was
very charitable, and liked him. Be
sides, the others were married, had fam
lilies, and he was alone. We used to
meet Of AN eveningat cafe, play piqnet,
drink sherbet, and then walk home to-
geiher. He was rich, and lived in great
style, but not in any way up to his in-
come. People wondered he never mar
ried; but he said he had been married,
and was inclined not to try the expert
ment again. He looked with alarm at
the prospect Of my settling in life, and
did all he could to preserve unto him
self one bachelor friend.
"About year ago he fell i'll, and the
Doctor at once intimated TO him that he
would not recover. Apart from disease
il was general breakup of nature.
When he found there was no hope,
lie sent for me.
"Versan," said he, listen to a dying
man. and interrupt me not. You see on
/ this bed an assassin, thief, murder
er. Fourteen years ago, sitting in an
hotel, saw two men dining, one Of
whom hal just received sixteen or sew
enieen thousand francs. A dreadful
1 thought came into my head. ! was not
poor, but | was wicked / followed
these two men. They walked on their
way 10 Solenihal together. dared not
attack both, and once or twice thought
of giving up my fearful design But
at the house of one De Pierrepont they
parted, and my victim Dubois advanced
alone
II was monster enough TO think that
Heaven gave him up 10 me. ! bound
ed after him ! gave myselfno time for
Thought, stabbed lin in the neck
killed him took his money and fled
/ spare you my thoughts, and my fifteen
years Of suffering. ] fled my country,
became merchant - rich - respected;
bot have never bad one happy mo-
ment. Not only had ] murdered him
but iicrreponi Was suspected, and sen-
fenced for my crime, only not to death,
because the jury he,iiaied. THUS ruin
ed an honest man, and sent his family
10 beg their bread"
~lie paused. Ispoke not too absorb
ed in my horror.
~De Nersan listen 10 me, my friend
Do not turn against me. ] have leil
you mv sole heir"
Never will -"
"IIark you musi and you will
Take nay properly. and think when you
enjoy it with pity on its goiliy present
owner. and will make publie eonfes-
sion, pay the heirs of Dubois their l6 900