The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1883-05-20
CHAPTER XIX.
A RIFT IN THE CLOUD.

RIFT IN THE CLOUD.
The duchess having left her. Valentine
tried in vain to explain, or put away from
her, the all-sbsorbing subject, which
threatened with its torturing suggestions,
TO drive her into insanity. Convinced,
now, Of her fathers guilt, she at the same
time felt her utter inability to act with
decision against him. Again, was 1t her
duty to do iti
The opportunity TO vindicate Jean Re-
maud had been given her, and she had
shrunk from doing it at the expense OF
her own fathers life. She had been so
terrified at the mere contemplation of the
deed, that she had completely put herself
in her fathers power
Valentine did not know where parents
| authority ended. Her father had her
completely at his mercy. Knowing her
suspicious, aware that she held what she
considered sufficient proof of his guilt,
| he had not hesitated to explain her condi.
ton as the result OF an attack Of deliri-
um, and attribute II TO her anxiety for
| Adrenne. II she could not induce him to
leave France, what would become of her
Once having proved to him her weakness,
had she not lost all hope Of attaining her
endi
She was fast in the tolls. She could
fancy the wretched future stretching be.
fore her, period OF dread and remorse
Thoughts Of Adrenne assailed her weak.
ened senses; of Jean Remand as she had
last beheld him, tenderly unclasping AID.
rienne's hands from around his neck. and
going away to his weary, endless toll
The recollection was maddenng. The
mans sad, earnest face rose before her
pleading for justice, for mercy. She
thought OF her fathers facets express.
sion as he had caught at her throat few
hours before, and she shuddered at her
own sudden conviction. ~ do not love
him. 1t is not affection that is controlling
ejit is dread ofthe awful consequences
Of the obloquy that such an action would
cast on the sacred name Of daughter. Oh,
why did find this necklacel Why has
this terrible question been given TO me &c
| deal With who have nothing to guide
me but my conscience, and that cannot
obey. II only loved him, then / could
willingly sacrifice all for his sake! Sacr.
flee Adriennef Leave her father to his
fatei Is there a love strong enough Ia
make such an evil thing possblei Could
do it Never! He must do as l have
said, or will, must speak,
Unable to be quiet, Valentine rose, dis.
missed Marie, and again slowly looked
over the necklace II held magician's
power; for, as she gazed at II, every Incl
dent Of the strange story connected with
II seemed TO be re-enacted before her
eyes. 81.
The twelve years that, with their stir.
ring events and crowding incidents, had
forced poor Renaud and the story Of his
sad fate into dark oblivion, seemed to fade
away, and the soldiers cottage rose before
Valentines excited imagination.
She saw, as in vivid dream, the Incl
dents narrated by the soldier, and added
TO them the one terrible deed enacted by
figure which resembled her father, and
which pursued and struggled with an
other that took the form Of Adrienne. =
Wild with grief, rent by conflicting
emotions, Valentine placed the necklace
In u safe corner Of cabinet, and went in.
70 another room.
No sooner had she relinquished the tell
tale trinket, than she began to tremble
lest IT should again disappear. She went
back, took II from the corner, and re.
placed II in her pocket.
ut must be my charge everywhere and
forever" she said TO herself at will al
ways keep me miserable, and accuse me
OF not doing my duty"
Marie interrupted her despairing re.
Election.
The Marquis dc Calonne was in the
crimson drawing. room, and would like o
few moments conversation with her.
Valentine ehivered and turned pale at
the words, Then the hot blood rushed 10
her cheeks and set her heart beating 40 Il
IL would break its bounds.
Her first impulse wins TO refuse to see
him. Then II seemed 10 her best to meet
him for the last time. $685.
An insane idea Of forcing her father to
, leave In Grange that very night was now
uppermost In her thoughts. IL kept 70.
curing TO her mind as the only resource
, now LEFT him. II influenced her when che
! sent her lover message that sho would
Join him In few minutes. -
| She waited, trying 10 regain something