The Plymouth weekly Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1860-1869, 1869-02-04

out tnat my seven thousand nVe hundred
francs were gone Thank your stars that
am your godfather as well as your uncle"
he added, in menacing voice. THANK
your stars, say'
Henri sank on chair, and thence look
ed at him, then from him to his father.
At first it seemed as if words would not
pass his white lips. When he spoke at
length, it was to address the notary and
say:
Father, what do you say to thiss"
Monsieur Roussel raised his trembling
hand towards him.
"God forgive you, Henri" he said in
broken voice
Henri leaped up from the chair on
which he was sitting; his blue eyes flashed
like fire, his pale face grew still paler with
wrath, as iron is at its hottest when it is
whitest, and in a voice of thunder he
cried, Father! father what do you
mean 2"
"Do threaten your father after dis
starting up in mingled fear and hate.
Henri gave his stepmother a look of in
dignation and scorn but before he could
open his lips to reply, Charlotte went up
TO the notary, and, laying her hand on his
arm, she said in low, indignant voice,
whilst her ether Outstretched hand
pointed to Henri ROussel, "Uncle, uncle,
do you not see that your son is Innocent"
" Innocent" gasped the notary, staring
round the room; how ?"
" How so look at him and see it. Henri
Roussel is innocent-I tell you he is inno-
cent, she added, her eyes flashing with
generous Indignation, "and that you
ought all to die with shame at having
doubted him"
"Yes, am innocent" sternly said the
young man; "and, what is more, | can
prove it. That money which uncle so
kindly accuses me of having taken from
his desk, already had when l saw him.
| borrowed it on my vineyard above
Verrieres. Ask Farmer Grange, and see
if ne will deny it.
"Then who took my money!" cried
Joseph Roussel, looking very wild.
"That is your business, not mine" bit
terly replied the young man then look
ing round him, he added II have learned
this evening what trust in my honor l
may expect in this house. Let none of
you wonder that shall hencefOrth make
my home among strangers. leave Yer
rieres this very night-now, this moment.
and it will be strange indeed if l ever set
foot in it again"
He looked round the room once more !;
then going straight up to the spot where
Charlotte stood alone, "God bless your
he said with much emotion.
She did not answer. She stood there
before him, passive and like one in
dream. He said no more, butturned away,
and was gone. As the door closed upon
him, as they heard his steps rapidly going
%f- a.
from his amazement, turned an grily on his
brother, GLOW dare you come with your
cock and-bull stories to me?" he cried with
fury. "How dare you accuse my sou of
robbery?"
Monsieur Joseph Roussel slapped his
forehead Then a sudden light seemed to
break upon him.
81 know who did it." he cried-"I
know" and he rushed out Of the house
like one distracted
The notary threw himself down on a
chair, and addressing his wife, said, very
ruefully, Louise, you should have told
me not to believe it-yOu should have told
me"
Madame Roussel raised her pocket
handkerchief to her eyes, and, speaking
from behind it, said, in melancholy voice,
mother"
Charlotte signed to Marie to follow her
out of the room. When they both stood
outside the door, she whispered, "GO and
beg of your brother not to leave the house
tonight"
81 dare not" replied Marie, whose eyes
were red with weeping; " Henri never
minds me-"
"Try, Marie, try" urged Charlotte.
The girl went reluctantly, and very
anxiously. Charlotte waited for her at
the foot of thestaircase Marie soon came
down again; Henri's door was locked, and
he had refused to admit her. Madame
/ Roussel, who now joined them, heard this,
and looked piteously at her niece.
"Do try, Charlotte" she said; do try"
"Ir' said Charlotte, with start.
Yes, do. My poor husband is broken
hearted, but will not say word to keep
him and Henri would not mind me; but
he will at least hear you. If he would
only stay tonight Do try, Charlotte
You can go and sit up stairs, and speak to
him when he is coming down"
She put a light in her niece's hand, and
Charlotte took it like one in a dream
She went up to the room on the first floor
and sat down, leaving the door open
Everything looked very gaunt and dreary
in the pale light of the wax candle, burn
ing quietly on the table. The tall, ledger
like books, the dull iron safe, the stiff
black chairs, were very grim and forbid
ding of aspect; but Charlotte, if she saw
did not heed them. She was listening tC
sounds in the room above-sounds of hur
ried footsteps and moving furniture, which
ended at length in the unlocking OF
door and n step coming down the stair
case Without leaving her chair, or ever
looking round, Charlotte said, in low
voice, "Henril"
She spoke so low that he might no
have heard her but he did. He came IL
at once. He threw the carpet-bag he wa
carrying on the floor; he drew chai
near hers, and. sitting down upon it, h,
took the hand that hung loosely in th
folds of her black dress, and he raised /
to his lips.
"God bless you for your faith in met
he said, in low voice; 81 shall never for
get it-never."
"I trust you are not going" she said
without looking round at him. "You
father, your mother are deeply grieved. y
"Do not believe it." he interrupted, bit
terly; "they never loved me, or they coul
not have thought me guilty so readily
What have ever done to deserve sue
an insult as this?"
"Ahl nothing, nothing, indeed" Char
} lotte could not help saying but the
repent it forgive them" =,
Willingly; but will not live wit
, them. This evening has burned itsel
r into NV very soul. IL has shown me tw