The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1883-11-16

r1enne, looking up. as her mother closed
the cottage door. and returned to her side
"In Paris, my child, with his regiment
II he were near US, mamma would not feel
SO light-hearted. And now, my baby, let
me put away the necklace, perhaps you
can take little sleep before dinner"
mo. l am not sleepy. j viii sit by the
window; some one may come up the road
with news" W
Madeleine carefully put away the box
and locked tho cupboard. She began to
doubt the wisdom Of having shown the
jewels to her neighbors. Ia few days
every one in the village would know that
she owned , costly necklace, and kept it
Ia the house. She grew nervous, but soon
forgot her fears, and began preparing
dinner for her child and herself.
The soup was smoking on the table, and
the omelet was emitting savory odor of
herbs, when cry from Adrienne drew
her attention to the child.
Kneeling on the window-seat Adrienne's
eyes were fixed on the figure of n man
I coming slowly up the road. For min
| ute Madeleine's heart ceased To beat; the
next she knew that tho figure was not
tall enough for her husbands but he was
dressed in the well known uniform of the
French Guards. and she realized that her
husband was in the vicinity. perhaps had
been injured, and that this man was
bringing her news. With the return Of
power to move came also self-control.
Madeleine left the cottage with Adrienne
holding her skirt, and going TO the gate
awaited the mans approach.
| He was wounded, that She perceived at
once, and his whole appearance showed
that he had been through fierce strug-
10. Madeleine opened the gate ard mo-
toned TO him to enter,
"You belong to tho French Guardsr
she cried. 'Tell me, do you know Jean
Renaud2"
II do, well. He is your husbands Do
not worry; saw him safe aud we'll not
an hour ago. The worst is over for to-
day. What tomorrow will bring, Heaven
knowsl 1 have lost my way, but am
too exhausted to retrace my steps without
resting. You see am slightly hurt"
Come in and take dinner with u.s. said
Madeleine, her kind voice attracting =
peculiarly fixed gaze from pair OF very
blue eyes, protected by long lashes and
the heaviest eyebrows she thought she
had ever seen.
"fes, come and dine with u.s." said Ad-
rienne, in her childish, light voice. papa
wears q coat like thatr'
ayes. and wears it nobly, little one! You
are both too kind, but I'll not forget your
kindness. jacques LatOur never forgets
either kindness or al injury"
The force and the gestures with which
these words were pronounced made Adri
enne start back aud run toward the
house.
"She is easily frightened" said Made
leine, keeping pace with the soldiers slow
steps. "Every member of my husbands
regiment has a claim on my hospitality"
jacques Latour ate as only hungry men
can. Madeleine made coffee for him. and
having satisfied his hunger, she brought
water and linen and batbed and bandaged
his leg.
All the time she was conscious that the
man watched her with an intense interest
which bordered on admiration.
"fou do not belong here" he said, at
last. sYou come from Paris"
"Why, yes; / was born here in Anton,
but have spent part OF nearly every
year in Paris when the countess was
there"
Countess who2"
Countess fAubretot. She is my foster
sister. Is the count with the regimentq"
Yes; and his wife was preparing to
leave Paris when VIC started"
"Then she is coming here to the cha
| teau!" cried Madeleine. clasping her
hands iu her delight. Tomorrow. Adri-
enne, we must go to the chateau and wei
come herr
@Bettcr not leave the house Tomorrow
said jacques Latour. The whole neigh
borhood will be full of soldiers and camp
followers, and you and the little one are
safest here; besides, the countess cannot
have arrived here yet. We came in a
hurry. The king and the dauphin are at
Fonteuoy. and so is our marshal, Heaven
bless hint"
"Just hear. Adriennel His majesty aud
our good dauphini How I would like to
see them"
do not think of such thing until after
to- morrow; and now 1 must get back to
camp. Little one, will you kiss me once
before / goa Perhaps we shall never
meet again; but if we do. shall not for
get this days kindness"
He put out his arms. Adrienne at first
drew back; then. on second thoughts. let
the great soldier kiss her hands and
cheek.
-Should you see Jean, you will tell him
THAI we are well, and send oar love and
blessingr said Madeleine, trying to hide
her tears II wonder-I wonder ne did
not come, it only for a moment"
HE dare not leave now: my being here
is an accident. Farewell, and remember.
should you or Adrienne ever need a
friend. YOU have only 10 call on me. JAG
ques Latoor."
So saying. jacques Iatour adjusted his