The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1883-11-30

~
The seneschal looked grave. WY
II am sorry, then, deeply sorry, to be
the bearer of bad news. Madeleine Re-
maud was murdered last night. in her own
cottage; and circumstances point strongly
10 her husband as the perpctrator Of the
crime" M
at Is an absurdity, any such charge!
Besides, you are accusing Jean Remand OF
a very serious fault-that OF being absent
from duty without leave, and in the pres
ence Of the enemy. However, his captain
is here"
Colonel dAubrctot turned 20 an officer
who sat near him.
..Captain Thibant, was Rensud absent
from the company at any time yesterday
| afternoon or EVENING""
'"No, sir. We were sent out 20 bring in
the wounded, after the skirmish, and II
was quite late and very dark when We re-
turned Renaud anewered at roll-call.
He could not have been absent without
being missed. This gentleman must be
mistaken. Some robberor camp-foliower
has probably entered the cottage, and be-
ing discovered, committed the deed"
.Nevertheless,' said the sencschal.with
| . glance at the officers. 'there is witness
who says that Jean Remand did the muir
der"
"who is thati' asked Colonel d'Aubrc.
| tot.
"His own child"
"Great Heaven was She exclamation
from all the listeners.
"His own child! Whore 10 shei" asked
the colonel, now thoroughly aroused.
''Outside. brought her with me-"
"Gentlemen, we will hear what the child
has TO say. The thing hal imttcr he fully
investigated, on Renaud's sccnaa', do
not believe one word OF it.~
The officers left the ten. fa ihs clear
| space in front, where Marie. holding Adri-
enne in her arms. STOOL gazing Mt the
bright scene. The bivousc fires were blaz.
ing like grea. gems over the surrounding
fields: figures in picturesque dresses and
graceful attitudes. snlivenei the land
scape; sounds OF laughter. mingled with
snstches Of gay songe. foat'''i from the
distant tents. and the quiet seriries pur-
sued their monotonoi,s walk. like white
ghosts coming and going III the silent
night.
The colonel pa,ted A,rienne's golden
curls. 10 reassure her; bat the child
looked about her fearlessly. aud with ca
gerness. AZ il in search ~ seine familiar
object.
well. my child, do you like 70 look at
soliiersf"
"yes. sir. Shall / see l,apat"
.Presen,ly; tell me. IL you remember.
my child. when did yon see papaf'
LAS, night"
"Are you quite sure. Adriennef'
"Oh. yes. Papa came last night to see
mamma aud ms
"You see. sir" said the seneschai, "the
child 10 quite clear in her answers"
''Summon Jean Renaud. He must have
an opportunity TO explain this circum.
stance. Let his company come with him;
and take the child ont OF sight for few
minutes"
Marie stepped into the tent with Adri.
enne, and In few minutes, Remand. called
from his day-dreams. approached the off,
GERS. followed by jacques Latour. Denis
URourke, and number OF other com.
rades, all OF whom. suspecting trouble at
the sight OF the seneschai. were anxious
TO learn what Jean Remand could possibly
have to do with the matter. 60
Colonel d'Aubretot had become grave,
aud his voice had solemn ring in IL rs
he spoke TO Jean Remand. n want to ask
you few questions. Remand. When did
you part from your wiser
1.-TWO months ago. sir: just before
joined the regiment for active service"
Remand answered quickly but the grsv-
ity osthe coloners manner. and the peeu-
liar expression Of the faces watching his,
informed him that he was the object ~
unusual interest.
"Have you seen your wife since then.
RenaudT'
There was pause. terrible in It's effect,
though it lasted huff moment, then
came the steady answers: A
III saw her iast night
Captain Thibaut, this is growing seri-
ous. Will you take down The questions
and answcrsi You say, Renaud, that you
saw your wife las. night. How did you
come to forget your duty Az scldierf"
II did my duty, colonel; the captain
knows that 1 WAS at my post through the
day, and was present at roll-call IN the
evening"
p "But you admit that you absented your.
self without leave" 8#
IL did, just while went home, kissed
my wife and child, and left with Made.
leine sacred trust that had been conided
10 me on the iie!d'
"a sacred trust! Explain yourself"
''On our return. after searching for the
wounded. found man dying on the
field. He asked me to take charge Of
some papers and jewels that he had with
him, and he gave me . purse containing
three hundred gold louis for myself, as n
reward for carrying out his instructions.
Not knowing what might happen TO me
during the coming battle. I judged IL best
to take them home and leave them with
Madeline.r