The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1883-05-06


l promise Adrienpei That 4 would work
with her in finding clvw to her fathers
innocence. Shall put this away. hide 1t,
forget itf--this, the soldiers last hope
let Adrienns die, Of .. broken hearth
Neverl ! will keep my promise. come
what will will know the TRUTH"
The sound Of a heavy door opening and
shutting brought Valentine back to the
interests Of the moment. t"
Trembling, pale. and wild eyed with
the contemplation Of her own thoughts,
she turned and saw the duchess.
The duchess had entered by the garden
door. She was in full court dress, a VIC
let velvet train over white satin petit.
coat, rich lace and magnificent diamonds
completing the costume.
Attic sight OF her form. Valentine. who
a moment before had wished for her pres
ence, slipped the necklace into the deep
side.pocket Of her dress. and tried in vain
to recover her composure.
The duchess met her with outstretohed
hands. Valentine could not meet her
eyes. %
"Gooi. morning, Valentine, How lovely
you look, child; your dress 10 beautiful
l think shall have the pleasure o! intro
ducipg the prettiest girls the duke will
meet in Provence. But what is the mat.
ter, valentinei you are pale. and your
hands trenble."
"Yes, madame; I do not feel very we'll"
"Why, has anything gone wrongl l
thought it would lie very pleasant for you
TO 20 with Adrienne, 30 came in to say
that we would call for yon. Adrienne
looks so pretty, and she is 80 good!-keep-
ing up her strength on my account
"Yes, madame; but I do not think--l
mean it will be batter not to call for me-"
Mot to call for you! why. Valentine,
what is it that agitates you 30 much Are
you not willing to tell mef'
aOh. madame. would be only too hap
Ply to 60 with you, but my father
What, the count objectsr
~ suppose he will; he wishes me 10 go
in the carriage with him."
well, Of course you should consult his
wishes; hut surely that 10 not what you
are fretting abcutw
Valentine shivered, and drawing her
hand away from that Of the duchess,
turned away.
The duchess looked At her. trying to
seek some explanation Of the complete
change IN this strong, sef-relisnt girl.
"will you come in and see Adrienne for
few minutesl She has been puing to
talk with you, Valentine"
| ALIAS, madame, / dare not
"Dare not. valentinel What has Adri
enne donei" ..,...
.,She, madame. nothing! Ny father has
forbidden me 10 speak to her. He says
that the daughter Of the Count do Nor
nasse can hold no intercourse with the
daughter of a convict" .,.,.l
The scorn in Valentines tone drew the
attention of the duchess 70 her flashing
eyes and crimson cheeks She seemed to
gasp for breathi every word came with
difficulty,
"Poor Adrienne! knew she would
have to suffer. hut I did not expect this!
Well, Valentine, however hard it may be,
my child, do your duty. obey your father.
Adrienne would tell you that q fathers
wish should be daughters most sacred
care" " r....- t....,.. .a
II know Il, madame; but
"Poor girl! she would devote her life 10
her fathers service if che could"
| "And must she suffer on foreveri Can
nothing be doueT'
"Alas, Valentine, nothing"
"Then you think the soldiers story en-.
tirely falsei" Valentine had faced the
duchess now. and her eager eyes were
filed with meaning. Those papers and
jewels that he persists In speaking of"
| Child, your own fathers words com.
pletely contradicted his statement"
.But bis theory Of the murder--ths
disappearance Of tho monsy----"
"Lies all lies!" ss /, si n .,.- .s,..
THAT necklace that You gave his wifs's
1.-THE miserable man must have de-
stroyed 1t or hidden it 70 avert suspicion"
ut isa curious necklace, I believes IL
was composed Of topazes, turquoise----"
"Oh, not at all. II was made Of rubies,
emeralds. and sapphires."
ayes. madame--no doubt there were
others made like IT," ..,. ..s
"What duplicatesT ''- t .o'
Valentine seemed too much interested to
speak. The duchess shook her bead ''Oh,
| no." d.. gLl4 .g.GI. ...
"No-;madams ..y
| ut 10 very improbable. You see. that
necklace was made TO orders the design
was my own OF course, person who
conld afford 70 wear such necklace would
not care for duplicate Of mine. orna.
ments should be unique, or they lose one
Of their principal charms" 4aga.
Valentine stood speechless, her eyes
fastened on the duchess; her voice, when
she gained control Of u, vas husky and
uneven. ...
"Madame. you would recognize that
necklace----r u8 ,W--t9u !. el:
.Anywherei II had my likeness set In
diamonds in tho medallion; the clasp had
three diamonds; you. pressed the centre
one and II opened. Ny Christian name
Claire--was on the inside piece" ..'
Valentine tottered, and caught N he
| nna rest chair for RuppOrt afs u..r4