The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1884-02-15

N0Hsestta tSacb6NA W Wv et<sssS PNs'S's
Do you begin TO see my reasoningf"
"Not yet; tell me-"
"The man who murdered Adrienne's
mother was ignorant OF the fact that she
owned such jewel as this. He thought
then, as he thinks now, that this necklace
belonged to the Countess de Mornasse."
.Yes; but the Count de Mornasse7"
"Valentne. how could a man left in a
dying condition, as Jean Renaud believed,
recover sufficiently within few hours to
walk some distance and commit n brutal
murder2 and why should man commit
such a deed for the sake of taking back
his own propertyf Besides, what would
prompt gentleman to such an actf You
see, in your excitement You lost sight of
these strong proofs that the man who has
come here as the Count de Mornasse is
bold imposter."
"And my father3"
III deny IL. You owe to Jean Renaud
heavy debt of gratitude as the man who
tried to succor your dying father. Per-
haps, in making you instrumental in prov
ing his innocence, you were designed by
Heaven to repay the debt. You are rot
convinced that this man is not your faith
err Think of the agitation that the chan
oinesse displayed when she heard the sol
dier's story; think of your own recollec-
tion Of this very building. of your moth
eI's picture There can be no doubt but
that you are the daughter of the last
Count de Mornasse. In claiming you, this
all etata
which otherwise would revert to your
mothers family. The facts of your ex-
istence and your residence at Hyeres, he
undoubtedly learned from the papers that
came into his possession with the jewels.
Do you not think my reasoning clear, my
conclusions correct, Valentine?'
~ am ouly too willing to accept your
explanation of this awful discovery, but
until the chanoinesse returns and sees
this"
Her eyes filed with tears.
II understand you, Valentine. You
were rejoicing in the thought that you
had father-it seemed almost miracu-
lous blessing after all those weary years
of waiting. l have rudely destroyed
your cherished hopes; but, Valentine,
which is preferable, the thought of your
noble father dying on that lonely battle
field, or the contemplation Of this uneasy,
desperate stranger, who would impose
himself upon you. aud deprive you Of all
peace and comfort u
allow can You askf One is sacred
grief that do not shrink from bearing;
the other nameless horror" She shud-
dered and drew closer to his side. "You
cannot imagine what have suffered since
this morning. Heaven must have sent
you to me, for had lost the power of
reasoning sensibly. Now i shall be able
to wait patiently for the chanoinesse."
ayes, she alone can decide this question,
whether my Valentine is the daughter of
the Count de Mornassc, or the daughter
of nameless adventurer. How happy
her arrival will make us all! Renaud
proved innocent. Adrienne will be restored
to her old, merry SELF"
sand il you should be mistaken, Henri;
IL should prove to be the child of this
nameless adventurer - this desperate
stranger9"
"You will he none the less my own dear
love, Valentine. We shall work together
to be just and yet merciful."
IL wish that could feel as hopeful as
you do. When--when do you suppose the
chanoinesse will returnY These days Of
suspense. these nights of horror. and then,
Adrienne-'
"You are right. There is no time to
lose. / shall ride tonight to Hyeres, and
see the directress, she may know more
about the movements OF the ,chanoinesse
than we do here. dread to leave you,
Valentine"
"Do not think of me. l am safe here.
I can reach the Chateau d'Aubretot in a
few minutes. If il should he necessary. II
we hope to succeed in this, we must use
caution. Any sign Of fear on my part
would excite suspicion. l have only to
carry out the part he assigned me; l can
be delrious for few days, and refuse to
see him, or any one else. Will you see
the duke2"
"Better not; to proclaim suspicious that
we could not prove without the chanoin-
esse to confirm them, would only be to
defeat our own ends. Let us act with
prudence and dispatch, and all will yet be
well. And now, my darling, yon will be
brave and hopeful, no more gloomy reflec-
tons or horrible fancies, but only trust in
the might Of truth to conquer at last"
II have prayed all along for the power
to help Adrienne; now that the possible
ty seems so near, shall not fail to grasp
at the means. You can trust me, Henri.
/ will be as sensible as even you could
desire. Make no effort to see me until
you bring the chanoinessc. will under
stand your absence. Marie is devoted To
me, so have no misgivings on my account.
i fear nothing now but failure"
"My own brave girl! Now, indeed.
feel that there is hope for Adrienne!"
The marquis gazed proudly at Valen.
tines glowing features; she was again
mistress Of herself, and he saw that he
could trust her. Adrienne's fate was in
safe keeping.