The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1883-12-21

imaginative and timid! That will never
do. Why, you will not have time TO miss
me. Henri will he here every day; and
. what with listening to him when here
and dreaming of him when absent, your
thoughts will he entirely occupied. or
course, you will go to the duchess for adj
vice. IL anything troubles you; but really
know Of nothing to happen, except q
few lovers quarrels and the usual tender
explanations and blissful reconciliations."
"Come, Valentine, the chanonesse thinks
you are as foolish as l am. See, those
poor men are coming toward the gaze,
and O'Rourke ia opening it.
Adrienne was of. followed by Valentine.
Arm in arm. standing on the green slope,
they watched the weary galley-slav as
they came in under thu great shade trees
and threw themselves 90 the cool, vel
vet grass. The soldiers, however, re-
manned on guard, and paced to and fro,
their monotonous walk extending inside
the park gates.
Adrienne drew Valentine still nearer.
The sunleams penetrating the arching
branches fell on their slender figures,
lighting up their earnest, cad features,
and throwing soft shadows on the SHIN
mering satin of their long trains.
'They do not notice us, poor men, they
are so tired" said Adriennc, drawing out
her purse. But, ut the ring Of the metal,
several Of the men started from the
ground and held out great brown hands,
mis- shapen and hard with ceaseless toll.
The girls dropped the pieces of money
on the broad palms, and received the
mems grateful mods and muttered thanks
with sympathetic looks. Adrienne had
reached convict who had lain down a
stool holding out the coin, but he did not
even raise his head TO look at her. or APP
pear conscious of her kind chances.
His face bronzed with the sun, and half
covered with short, black heard, hal
nothing repulsive or hard in its express
sion; the large, handsome features were
stamped with misery that was in itself
o mute appeal for human interest and
charity. As he lay, supporting his head
on his arm, his eyes fixed or the ground.
he seemed to be absorbed in painful
thoughts.
Adriennc felt an attraction in this man,
who did not even care to look ut her.
"Will you not take some money!" she
asked.
"What do want with it. IL cannot buy
freedom or relief from SORROW"
But you may want something"
"No. nothing. The food get is good
enough. So long as it is stepped in tears
it is all alike bitter. all the same"
"Dut you could keep it,
mo. no; money given to me does me
no good. 1t brings curse; why do you
press it upon me!'
He turned rs he spoke, and raising his
eyes. looked steadily in Adrienne's face. as
If to reproach her.
The purse fell from Adrienne's hands.
and, with n low cry. she tOttered and
would have fallen hut for Valentine, who.
hearing her voice. was in time to catch
her and support her.
"Adrcpnc. What is the matter with you?
You tremble SO; you are as white as
ghost"
Adrienne's startled eyes were fixed on
the convict. who had sunk back in his
OH, lsilesS attitude.
'Oh. Valentine. il is he! The man who
comes to me in my dreams; the man
whose eyes cannot forget. 1t is the
voice. tho very voice, that has 50 often
spoken to me"
"Adrienne. you are excited. You must
come away and calm yourself"
For the moment Valentines strong will
prevailed. She put her arm around Adri-
enne. and they returned Go the house.
The terrace was deserted. Adrienne sat
down near the work table and hiG her
face IN hcr la,r!,,
RIO b, IOur,Uff-,li