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

Jean Renaud staggered under the blow
thus dealt him, and would have fallen but
for O'Rourke, who quickly caught him
and supported him.
.Bs man. JEAN" he whispered.
Renaud seemed unable To grasp Che
meaning Of the words lie had heard. fS
.Murderedw he repeated. Madeleine
deadi Why, only last night left her in
perfect health and beauty! There must
be some mistake!"
"There is none; your vile was dead
this morning when the neighbors entered
your house," said the seneschal.
"Then the house has been robbed!
Some wretch has done this! Oh! Made
leine, my wifew 4
"Was there any sign Of o robber about
the placef" asked Colonel d'Aubretot.
anxious TO accept jeans theory Of the
murder. " ww fr - VFE 81
"None whatever. Not door open, not
= lock broken. Everything was in order"
"You hear, Renaudr'
I But Renaud seemed utterly crushed by
the horror Of his wife's death. The men
drew around him, some pressing his hand,
others whispering OF courage and hope.
Colonel d'Aubretot watched the mans
grief for some minutes, doubling his own
ability TO push the investigation any
further. There was no possibility OF
doubling Renaud's sincerity of sorrow.
Still, a man might do in passion what he
would bitterly regret the next minute,
nd - ,haI Ia. NIT hn
brave soldier before him. Colonel d'Au-
bretot nerved himself for his painful
duty.
"Renaud, tlO you know on whom the
suspicion Of THE crime resist"
"Alas! colonel, how should IT.
at is placed on you.'
.On mel" Remand burst into wild ft
Of laughter.
ayes, on You, Remand. Your we'll known
| jealousy, your repeated quarrels on this
subject, so well understood by the neigh
bors, have led them to suspect YOU"
"Oh. colonel, IL not my grief now hard
enough TO bear without adding this fright
full charge TO il! What did our quarrels
amount tot We loved each other. Only
last night she chung around my neck and
kissed me. an if--as il it would DO for the
last time. knew she was depressed--it
must have been . presentiment Of what
was 10 come. Oh, il Is horrible 70 accuse
me Of this! I, soldier; /, who have
faced death ON the field and never feared
il, to say that would strike q woman,
and she the mother Of my child. II is too
monstrous, no one would believe it."
mo, Jean, there is not man in the
regiment who would believe IT," said
ORourke. pressing his friends hand, and
trying to encourage him to regain his self
control.
"Renaud, 1 wish could believe you.
Unfortunately, there Ia witness, one
who will not be accused OF falsehood. and
who persists in accusing YOU"
"a witness!" cried Renaud, starting l,~'-
ward.
ayes. Your own child" =
"Ob, my God, 1t is impossible. l Ic.et
her sleeping"
"You shall hear her story from her own
lips
.What. 10 Adrienne berei'
"Yes. but stand 20 one side. She must
not see you until size has told what she
saw and heard"
.The child saw nothing, heard nothing,
that should fear her telling!" cried Jean,
excitedly.
"rhat will appear. You must listen
without interrupting her. Afterward,
Renaud, you will be given chance 70
confirm or deny what she says
Renaud took q few steps backward, and
stood motionless. His tall figure was bent
as II years had passed over him within =
few minutes. His nervous hands clutched
his belt and side-arms; the muscles Of
his strong face were slowly settling down
into rigid, stony expression, and denoted
crushing sorrow and inter despair.
The man felt that fate was again / him,
EMBEDDING him like an iron wise.