The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1883-12-28

cried Adrienne, gazing in the mans face,
now quivering with emotion.
"Never! Before the God who for
twelve wretchod years has permitted me
to suffer this agony and injustice, swear
that l am innocent"
"And 1 believe you" said Adrienne in
her earnestness, raising her hands to
Heaven. "lf you say you are innocent,
then 1 swear that believe your
"Oh, lady, you cannot tell what those
words are to me; the first of trust or
kindness that have heard since L was
sentenced"
"You say sentenced" why were you
not"
Executed. The sentence was COM
muted. Would You like to hear my
storyY"
"Oh, yes, yes Tell it to us" said Adri-
enne.
IL was. soldier" The words came
slowly, accompanied by rush of almost
overwhelming memories. "rhe night be-
fore Fontenoy, returning FROM II skirmish,
l found man dying on the field. He
told me his name. and contidad TO me a
bundle of valuable papers and some cost
ly jewels, which he begged of me to carry
to his daughter, then at Lille. Then lie
gave me for myself a purse. in which
were three hundred gold louis. l lived
within few miles of the place, and I
thought il safest to take these things
home and leave them with my wife. 1t
was great risk to absent myself without
leave. but | knew the roads. / felt sure
that could join the regiment before roll
call; and thcn-i had not seen my wife
and child for two months. and knew
that the next days. battle might he my
last" shta.
"Yes. yes! Go on! You went nome,'
cried Adrienne.
"Yes. went home. left the papers and
Jewels. kissed my wife AMI child. and re-
turned to camp in time to answer to the
CALI
well, wnat-what happcned?' as ed
Adrienne. seeing that the man seemed
convulsed with mental anguish.
"Oh. my God! Telling it brings it all
back to me as if it were but yesterday. l
can see it all-the field after the battle,
the camp-fires, the white tents-I can
hear again the mems voices. and hear my
self called to answer the charge of having
murdered my darling wife,
az do not understand" said Valentine.
when was she murdered! HOWE By
whom?'
"Alas! she must have been murdered
very soon after left her. for they found
her before many hours-dead. While j
was fighting, full Of hope at the prospect
of escaping injury, and going back to her.
she was-safe-safe from all troublew
"But the murderer" said Valentine,
throwing her arms around Adrienne, who
could only sob with sympathy.
.Some wretch in search Of plumber must
have entered the house, and my poor
wife, no doubt, tried to defend the things
/ had left in her charge. They were all
carried Off"
"But, surely, they might he traced"
said Valentine "Is there no clue by
Think
II have thought until my brain seemed
to be on fire.. But to what purposel i
am chained, helpless, a galley-slave. and
with no one in the wide world to assist
mer'
"There you are wrong" said Valentine.
I'VE will help you if you will but give us
some clew; what have you in your mindY"
"If the man who entrusted the papers
and jewels to me on the night before Font
ENJOY still lives. he could bear witness to
the truth of this statement"
''Yes, if he still lives; but you said he
was dying"
"Ah, there is the trouble. He felt that
his death was near, and /, as well as
could judge of his wound, thought the
same. 1t is twelve years ago. and we
hear nothing in the galleys.'
"What was his name ?" asked Valentine
"Thc Count de Mornasse.'
THE Count de Mornasse. If he is alive
we will manage to reach him. Have you
no other hope to sustain your That is a
very weak thing to support faith in such
a fearful life as yours"
my wife's necklace is the only other
thing that can mention. 1t was given to
her by II noble lady. her fostcr-sister on
our wcddiug-day. 1t was costly gift
My wife kept it in n curious box. and l
put the things given me by the count
with it. thought they would he safer"
"And you say that they all disappeared
ON that night. The money alsol" asked
Valentine.
'Yes. the louis were with the other vail
uables. l remember necklace of pearls
and diamond tiara; but did not wait
to examine them closely"
Describe you wife's necklace" said
Valentine.
1T was made of rubies, emcralds and
sapphires, with II medallion set with da-
monds. and II clasp. containing three large
diamonds
~ jewel net likely to be destroyed"
said Valentine, thoughtfully.
mo, il was beautiful as it was"
The convict looked from Valentine to
Adrienne, whose tears had kept her 81
lent. Now she spoke.
CHAPTER X.