The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1883-04-25

WIZ JoNbAANhp AAANtlA W man 10 IOut
other than your own brother-in-law,
the Count de Mirabeau."
Count de Saillant became deathly
pale.
"ITal the scoundrelP' he murmured;
"has it come TO thisP You are sure,
marquis2"
"Only too sure, my poor friend"
You recognized him beyond all
doubt"
beyond all doubt; as he stopped to
take the purse the mask fell from his
face, and in the moonlight could not
fail to recognize the young count"
"Did he perceive that you knew
him ?"
Undoubtedly; spoke few threat
ening words to him that must have
convinced him of it."
"What did he do then?"
"He coolly laughed and aimed at me
again with his gun, but l escaped. He
arrived at the castle half hour after
l did, and, hear, has gone at once to
his room"
"You have spoken to no one else of
this ?" asked Saillant.
"No one"
"The villain !" cried the count, be-
side himself with rage. "But he shall
not escape punishment; he shall be at
once apprehended and imprisoned for
life, that no further disgrace may be
brought upon his family"
The marquis merely bowed a silent
approval, adding, compassionately: az
will go back TO the company, my
friend; it is best that no unpleasant
sensation be excited until the matter is
further investigated"
You are right, my good Charras,"
replied the count, "and l will go at
once to the wretched man."
While his guest returned to the salon,
the host endeavored to collect his be-
wildered senses, and repaired to the
apartment of his brother-in-law.
Mirabeau lay sleeping soundly; a
night lamp burned dimly on a table
near his bed.
Roughly and unceremoniously his
visitor shook him by the shoulder,
until, rubbing his eyes dreamily, the
sleeper awoke.
"What on earth do you want?" he
asked. staring at Saillant; "what are
you waking me for at this time of
nightP is the castle on fire or what 2"
"What do 1 want?" repeated the
other, with smothered rage and scorn:
" | want to tell you that you are a
miserable, sneaking, cowardly scoun-
drel. That's what 1 want"
"Well, that's fine compliment, to
be sure" replied Mirabeau, coolly;
Z" are you drunk, Saillant, or do you
think it polite, now, to waken q man
out of the sweetest slumber Just to
speak so rudelyP Why can't you let a
fellow enjoy the sleep of the
righteous?"
And with this he quietly turned
over on his side.
1.-The sleep of the righteous" cried
the count, in uncomfortable wrath.
" How can you pretend to sleep, shame
less fellow that you are? You are the
dastardly rogue that has been haunting
my forest"
"Well, that's true enough 1 am the
man; but is it for little thing like
that that you are making all this un-
timely fuss?"
"a little thing p shrieked Saillant.
"None of that, sir. You think, per-
haps, that your highway robberies will
be regarded as an idle prank; this very
evening you have robbed my friend
.Charras; he has recognized you, and
your shameful story is known, and cries
aloud for punishment"
"Well, for heavens sake, brother,
why couldn't you wait till morning to
confide to me this pleasant informa-
tion?" asked Mirabeau, with undis-
turbed coolness. "It is true 1 have
robbed your friend Charras and the
eight others, but what does that prove
against me?"
And you can ask such an idiotic
question:" cried Saillant. "For my
part, should say that it proves you a
good-for-nOthing scOundrel."
I" | fail to see 1t just in that light,
dear brother" answered the other,
meellly; "but l think your conduct
proves you a sensoless fool. Can you
really pretend to believe that l have
robbed these cowardly mobiles for the
sake of few paltry louis dor. 1t
was simply an experiment; 1 wished to
prove their courage and my own also.
1t is true the experiment was risky
one, but has been thoroughly satisfac-
tory on my side, while proving your
friends miserable towards, who would,
in truth, succumb to the very first
struggle with the canaille."
Taking key from the table near
him, he now presented it to the count,
saying:
"Open my desk there and remove
the second drawer"
Utterly bewildered by Nirabeau's
imperturbable nonchalance, Saillant 81
lently obeyed.
Within the drawer lay nine purses,