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

my little girl---a child but live years old
before the tribunal. and questioned her.
She knew that l had been home that
night, and she heard, suppose, through
the closed door, her poor mothers cries
for mercy from the assassin"
Through the closed doorT' said vslen-
tine.
"Why, she had fallen asleep in my
arms, poor little thing, and her mother
carried her into an adjoining room; and
when we were leaving the cottage. she
drew the bolt so that she could not get
out of the house. II was all very clear to
me, the child's mistake. Waking at the
sound Of voices, she would be impressed
with the idea that was still in the outer
room. Some strange fancy, also, led her
to say that her mother had spoken to
her, in the midst of the noise, saying: Il
am with your fatherr That portion Of
her testimony never could explain to
myself; but she persisted in her story.
and was condemned"
"But was not your story worthy of be-
left" said Valentine, eagerly. THE disap-
pearance of the money and the jewels"
.'Alas, no. 1t was declared to be false.
Even the necklace they said l had mis-
placed to ward off suspicion"
"But why-why should you murder
your own wife?" said Valentine.
"Why. indeed! my dear, my own dar-
ling wife. And she was so young. so
beautiful! Yet they said that, in fit of
jealous passion, had killed my own Mad
eleine."
"Madelcne! Madeleine" cried Adricnne
with start of puzzled surprise. "Say
that name again! Oh. say it again.
Il have no need to fear thinking or
talking about my good. loving Madeleine"
The tone of his voice. as he pronounced
the loved name, seemed to wake an echo
in Adriennes excited brain. Before VAL
entine could prevent her, she had clasped
her shaking hands and fallen on her
knees, her lips forming a broken, inco-
herent prayer:
"Oh. HoB NaIy-.Nadeloinc. my mother's
patron saint, pray for her, and J0,-"
The convict turned and watched her,
his eyes kindling with excitement.
"Who taught you that prayer9 Oh.
speak, tell me-
lob, DON'T don't know! Go OH
the child! where-where is she?'
MY child! my child! For twelve long
years have asked myself that question.
and could find no answer. Does she still
live! alone in misery, abandoned to the
worlds charity; or, dead of hunger, of
cold, does she share with her mother y
grave not watered with human tears2 Oh,
my child"
Sand can you still love her-she who
caused you all these years Of shame and
misery?' said Valentine, sadly.
Love her! The hope of seeing her
once more must have sustained me all
these frightful years. Love her! She
was not to blmnc-.my innocent. fearless
child! have borne vcrything-this
shameless livery. the ball and chain. the
plank to sleep on. the scorchiug heat. the
cold, the double chain-for nothing; but
all these were light when compared with
the anxiety abou; her that has tortured
me. Sleeping or waking, the longing TO
see her, TO hear her voice calling me, is
always pressing on my heart"
He stopped, overpowercd with grief.
Adrenne had drawn closer to him. and
was eagerly drinking in his words and
gestures.
Tel me, when din yon last sec your
child" she asked lassiouately.
"In the hall. ON tho day was sentenced.
but they would not let Inc ,peal; to her"
'And did you not bii her FAREWELL"
"Yes. did. WIS allowed to speak TO
her on that fearful night after the battle.
''Yes, after the battle. WhcrcE
ION our camp ground; the child had
been brought there to tell her story
"Well. well; what did you say to her
when you kissed her-when your arms
were around her--whcn you lnelt before
herr"
Adriennes agitation was painiu'; her
dilating eyes were fixed ON the convict;
her hands were stretching out to him in
piteous entreaty; her quivcling lips with
difficulty formed the words that her mem
tai struggle slowly suggested She acted
like person under the inference of a
Nh"i iNNN'iiiS WIN Az '4i'l' NV 'N'l'1'
of by-gone years.
The convict, as If iInpellcd by the same
unseen. resstless power gazed at her
while he remembered. at her bidding, the
words she longed to hear At last he
spoke. solemnly. sadly;
what did l say to herr You have
destroyed your father my poor child but
l 10 not blame you. And remember well,
through all your life to come. these my
last words TO you-it was not your fault,
my little ONO
Il pardon you. and love you,' cried
Adrienne. "Yes. yes. those are the very
words Oh, Valentino. what is the matter
with mel must he mad! or am l com.
ing to my sensesl'
"Who told you those words2 Oh. lady.
speak! You-you must have known my
child! No other person heard me speak
them to her"
The convict had turned to Adrienne,
and with imploring gestures appealed to
her.
Adrienne met his gaze as if fascinated.