The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1883-11-23
C 0 N D E NI m E D ::
The Story of a Galley Slave.
Adapted from the popular play, "a CELE.
DRAFTED CASE"
% r.,

YES; IL belonged To the Count de Nor
nasse. Iou will keep it. Madeleine, as a
souvenir; one Of these days it may prove
useful to us. Now, these packages, in
"-'---'' J! - O.; ~ duties fa. Ia YOU
20 carry On, nst reach the Countess
Nalentlhe de MOriIasse at ArIas. where
she lives with her aunt. canoncss. You
see these are all papers. title.deeds to es-
tates ami in this caSket-see! Jean pressed
spring, the lid orened, and Madeleine
gave sigh of admiration at the brilliancy
ana size OF the diamonds thus disclosed.
"They were her mothers Jewels. This
signet-ring of the counts will put with
them. And now, Madeleine, where is the
safest place TO hide them2 AS soon as
possible after tomorrow they must reach
their proper owner. do not like the re-
sponsibility of keeping them, even for a
few days"
Il suppose the safest place will be in
the Swiss box with my necklace. 1t is
large enough to hold all of Them
"Well, get it; and now you shall hear
all about them"
While Madeleine unlocked the cupboard
and took out her treasured box, Jean des-
cribed his finding of the wounded count,
and their long interview. While talking,
he held Madeleine's necklace to the lamp,
letting the rays fall on the dazzling gems,
to admire them, and then he carefully az
ranged the jewels and papers beside it on
the velvet.
mo one dreams of what this cottage
contains, Madeleine, or you would scarce
ly be safe in it when am away"
"Alas! Jean, only this morning Adri-
enne asked for the necklace before some
Of our neighbors, and was silly and vain
enough to let them see it."
"Who were theyY'
"Marie Meyer, Aglae Leroux, Annette
Despard, and Victorine Gabeille. OF course
they are all honest, but
"But they are gossips, and may talk.
Well, Madeleine, cheer up. We will find
safer place for the gems and gold, and
you can tell our neighbors so; and now,
my own darling, must leave you.'
Madeleine threw her arms around him,
unable to utter word, and for some min
utes only her sobs broke the stiffness.
"You will unman me, darling, if you
give way like this, and l need all my
courage now," he whispered, keeping
back his own tears, while his arms held
her as in wise. Madeleine! Madeleine!
/ must go. Surely, surely, you would not
have your husband called coward"
The agony in his voice reused her. She
lifted her head from his breast, and I'M
clasped her arms from his neck.
''One minute" she whispered. "Go and
kiss Adrienne, while put away the box"
Madeleine placed the box in the cup
board and locked the door, and put the
keys in her deep, inside pocket. Going
into the next room, she saw Jean kneel-
ing by the bedside, his gaze fixed on Adj
rienne's upturned sleeping face. Her lit
tie mouth was smiling. Perhaps she
dreamed of him. Jean kissed the droop-
ing eyelids and waxen cheeks, his hot
binding tears no longer to be kept back,
and then he rushed from the room. Mad
eleine closed the door after her. and softly
drew the heavy wooden bolt into its sock
ct, thus guarding against Adrienne leav-
ing the room should she awaken. That
done, the mother gave way to the wife,
and she followed Jean out on the lawn,
caught up with him at the gate. and. put
ting her arm in his, they set out toward
Anton.
"Just to the top of the hill, Jean. We
have often walked it together, when you
were sure to be back in a few hours"
Well, as you will. Should it be our last
walk together, Madeleine, at least it shall
be happy one"
He tried TO impart to her some of his
own courage and renewed cheerfulness,
but Madeleine had never felt SO utterly
respondent.
1t was lovely night; the stars gilt
tered above the still landscape and the
white cottages standing out from the
background of dense forests. The per-
fumes from the blossoming orchards and
hedges were waited in the sweet fresh
air; no sign of the hostile armies, who
only awaited dawn to begin their terrible
work, was visible where Jean and Made
leine finally parted. with last passionate
embrace-he to speed away, afraid to
glance behind him, while Madeleine, sink
ing on rock, gave way to the pent-up
grief and despair so long hidden and con-
trolled.
She sat thus until jeans tall figure dis
appeared in q piece of wood through
which his way led, and then, with an eff
fort, rose and turned her face homeward.
She stopped at the gate to secure the
latch, and coming up the little path, stood
for a second for last look at the peace
full, starry sky, at the dewy, tremulous
May blossoms, and a lingering glance in
the direction Of Fontenoy.
"God protect my poor Jean, tomorrow"
she murmured. How shall live through
it, sitting at home with folded hands! All!
well, am not the only poor woman fret
ting this night for to-morrow's woe. Adj
rienne will wake and miss me. Poor baby
Adrienne! how little she dreams what is
hanging over us; and she is so fond Of
her father! If anything should happen
TO him, I think the child would der
So saying, Madeleine opened the heavy