The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1884-09-06
TH1BODAUX LA, SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 1854.

ner's vile and disgraceful treatment Of
me were impossible. Suffice it to say
that his cruelty, his brutality, when he
was under the influence Of drink, were
80 excessive that my HE was in danger.
and that when I had been married
scarcely o year I fed abroad, carrying
with me my little baby only q fortnight
old. There remained in strict seclu-
sion till about six months ago when in
formation reached me that my husband
was dead, and I returned once more.
still, however, lived under the name Of
Madame Rose-my Christian name is
Rose-fearing that I might be in some
way persecuted or annoyed by my late
husbands creditors, who were numer-
o1s. It was only in response to very
pressing invitation from Mrs. Dent that
l was induced to break through my re-
tirement, and agreed to join, with my
little daughter, her party"
"Your little daughter-is she also
here 2" asked Horton, who was utterly
staggered by the strangeness Of the
story, and the surprising beauty Of the
woman. She raised q curtain ct the side
OF the room, and showed him q sweet
little piece Of loveliness, Of shout 4
years old, fast asleep. Pretty though
tho child was, he looked from the
mothers face to hers and back again,
but could see no resemblance.
"She is like her father" he observed,
succinctly.
Madame Rose leant over the child and
kissed her. There were tears in her
eyes when she raised her head.
"For her sake, If not for mine, you
will save me from this man, Mr.. Horton,
Judge Of nay horror when, believing in
the absolute safety OF my supposed
widowhood, I all Of . sudden met my
miscreant husband here alive in this
hotel But you will protect me from
him, Will you not
"To the death I" answered Frank.
bravely, Is he wondered what course TO
pursue.
She dropped the curtain which con-
oeAled the room where the child lay
sleeping, and they went back once again
to the fire in the sitting-room.
"You will stay with me for Hme."
she said. ''You won't leave me alone
here to my fears, for that man is cap
able Of anything. He may even kin
ma He looked more mad than ever %
I saw him for a moment in the glass in
that room at the end Of the passage,
where I had gone for . book.
Poor Frank? Beauty may he very
intoxicating, but scarcely stands in the
place OF good supper to hungry man.
Before, however, he had time to re-
fuse or accept her invitation to stay.
knock came at the door.
She clung to him in q sort Of wild ter
ror. he pointed to the curtain behind
which the baby lay, and motioned that
she should remain there while he gave
audience to the intruder. He opened
the door and went out into the passage
Faulkner was standing there with a
lighted candle in his hand. He looked
very white and haggard, but perfectly
sane and composed; in fact, Horton hal
never known him to be otherwise. and
he felt that the account of his bygone
proceedings which he had Just learned
from Madame Rose neededsome explana-
ton from him.
"What has she told you, Frank? I
must sea her," he said, imperativelv.
But Ffank barred the door with one
arm as he held Faulkner of.
"Coward-vil]ain! Would you ner.
secute woman?" ho cried, with theat-
rical air.
"My dear fellow, you have known me
tolerably intimately for the last two
years have you ever proved me to be
otherwise than rather considerate of the
weaker sex 2"
"Acting-mere actingi' vociferated
Frank. who was little carried away by
the responsible position in which
Madame Rose had placed him.
"Do you know who the lady is that
is in that room 2" asked Faulkner. with
quiet dignity.
"She is Madame Rose"
"My dear Frank, you are lending
yourself, unwittingly, I believe, to q
great deception. Come away from the
door and let me speak to her. Since
you have elected yourself her champion
you shall stand by if You like and hear
what have to say"
(To be continued.)
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