The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1883-11-23

great for words was creeping over the
group They glanced around; the table
was laid, certainly. with plates and utensils
for three, and jeans great mug, out of
which they had often seen him drink his
cider, stood near one plate.
Martin Despard hazarded questions
"Adrienne when did papa Gomez
ut was dark / watched for him all the
afternoon; then mamma cried because he
did not come, and then he came. l knew
he would, because the other man was
here
"The other mani" said several voices.
"Yes; he had some soup and omelet he
was hurt, too, and tired; and then mamma
brought water and linen for his leg, and
then he vert away"
"Who was her, asked Marie Meyer,
recollections of Jeans old jealousies fore
ing themselves on her burning brain.
She began to trace causes and effects, yet
feared to put her thoughts into words.
"What was his namel" she said, seeing
Adrienne's puzzled expression.
IL do not know-he had coat like
papa's"
''Good Heavens! no doubt it was Victor
| Ponson! That is it! Jean was always
jealous of him"
Hush, Marie! do not put words in the
child's mouth. Let us listen to her; no
doubt she knows more" said Martin.
gravely.
Aglae Leroux put her arms around the
little figure. and gently took her on her
knees.
"Tell us. Adrieune, what did mamma
say when she put you to bedr
'She did not; l was with papa; / sat
on his knee. and we had supper
ayes; and then you fell asleep and they
put you to bed, and you heard nothing
morel" said Aglae, soothingly.
eyes, heard the noise, and mamma
calling out. 1t Weakened me. Then I
Knocked and called to mamma to come to
me, and she-she could not Gomez sobbei
Adrienne, as her fright and misery came
back to her.
"Poor little thing! Poor Madeleine!
Oh, this is too telrible!" cried Marie Mey-
er, kneeling by her dead friend. "Oh, my
poor child. how often have 1 told and
warned You Of mems fearful passions"
"Mamma screamed like that; and then
/ went and knocked again, and she said
-" Adrienne stopped as if to recall the
words.
ayes, yes Go on! What did she say?'
"Go to sleep, my child; am with your
father" There was an unconscious imi-
tation in the slow tones.
sand did she speak to you againr
mo, no, cried, but she never spoke,
never came. Oh, where is papal"
A heavy booming of guns seemed to an
swer the niteous cry.
ut will be a mercy if he never comes
back said Martin, with a glance about
the room. my friends, let MS pray that
he may meet u soldiers death this day.
We must do our duty. The Procureu-du-
R0i must be informed of the murder Who
will gol"
Several volunteered to go together and
soon started for Montague. The hours
crept slowly away. The women having
arranged the cottage, and prepared the
body of their unfortunate neighbor for the
grave, sat near it in little groups, and
with suppressed, horror-stricken voices,
| discussed the child's terrible story. To
add to the gloom and mystery of the
scene came the sounds Of musketry and
guns from the distant battle. field, and Adj
rienne's grief, as the moments passed and
her mother did not waken and speak to
her, was sad to witness.
The seneschal from the village Of Mon
tagne arrived at the cottage toward dusk.
Having made rapid survey of the cot
tage, and decided that nothing had been
tempered with, he announced his inten-
ton Of taking Adrienne to the battle. field,
and there confronting the guilty man with
his accuser.
The women were shocked at this pro-
posal, but the officer was obdurate.
ut must be donew he exclaimed. "The
wretch may try to escape"
"Bnt the danger of goingl" said Marie.
There is none now. The victory is
ours. Fontenoy was won to-day, and the
king will at once return to Paris and take
his regiment with him. There is no time
10 be ;ost The man can easily deny it il
the child is not heard while the event is
clear in her mind"
Then will go and carry the little one"
said Marie. she will not feel frightened
il am with her.
Adrienne was quite ready to go and see
her father, and the small party, late as il
was. set out for Fontenoy.
Over the little hills and across The soft
meadows, which Jean had 80 quickly
cleared the previous evening, they slowly
made their way. Sometimes quickening
their steps. and again stopping to rest.
they at last came in sight Of the field, and
were shown the camp Of the regiment to
LII