The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1884-02-22

| Gle Aornnsse allve!
lit il, indeed, true"
"Ah, colonel, you-you would not mock
mel You would not tell me this unless it
were so-unless il were possible to see
him, to hear him SPEAK!
"You shall do both, Renaud"
"What-soonl Adrienne, my child,
look at me! See, the Count de Mornasse!
You hear what the colonel says! He is
alive, and we are saved! We shall yet be
happy together, my child! my childw
us that the cry of guilty mani" ask
ed ORourke, as Renaud drew Adrienne to
his heart, and bent over her, his chest
heaving with passionate emotion, his
voice audible in suppressed words Of Joy.
The duchess sobbed aloud in sympathy.
The duke looked at that moment what
he really was-a man completely mys-
tilted.
Renaud spoke, bitterly, after some time:
"Why was not told of this sooner2'
"For reasons which will explain later.
l made up my mind yesterday that you
should, at least, have an opportunity to
repeat your story to the Count de Nor
nasse, in the presence of witnesses. He
received anote from me, and appointed a
meeting for to-day. O'Rourke await his
arrival. and conduct him here. Remand.
you have accused me Of injustice; you
shall now he enabled to prove the accusa-
tiOn, or renounce it henceforward. l can
do no more in your behalf, as Adrienne
will not hear OF q pardon"
Sand she is right. l have worn this
shameful livery for twelve years; but /
do not want mercy. want justice"
''rhe Count de Mornassew announced
ORourke, throwing open the folding
| doors.
''Step aside. Renaud," said the duke.
The count does not know my motive in
bringing him here"
Renaud drew back in the shadow of one
of the marble pillars, his heavy chain
clanking as he walked. Alrienne real
lied that the crisis of her fate had ar
rived. She sank on the sofa, trembling
from head TO foot. physically helpless, but
her mental faculties had never seemed so
clear and strong, so gifted with intuition
and provision.
The duchess stood leaning over her.
holding her small. burning hand, and
stroking back her heavy hair.
The count bowed low as lie entered,
and advanced to the centre of the little
group, without perceiving ORourke or
Remand. He was dressed with more than
usual care and elegance; jewels sparkled
at every place in his costume; his rapid,
restless chances were keener than ever,
and an air of conscious triumph was per-
ceptible in the increased ease of his
manner.
"You sent for me, duke; but had al
ready intended calling upon you to-day.
l wish to thank you and the duchess for
your kindness to my daughter, and to ex-
press hope that Mt some future day we
may meet again. My daughter is not
very strong, and feels quite unequal
to the effort of saying farewell to her
dear friends here. She begged me to pre-
sent her very warmest thanks and graft
tude for the hospitality shown her by
you, and the delicacy of your attentions
to her, also her most affectionate adieux."
The duchess accepted the message with
her customary grace.
IL trust that when Mademoiselle VAL
entine reaches Paris she will feel quite re-
stored to her usual health. regret very
sincerely that our misfortunes and grefs
should have 40 deeply affected her. She
has most generous, warm heart, and
shall never forget her interest in my Adj
rienne, and her sympathy for my daugh-
tei's great trial"
before you take leave, count" said the
luke, coldly II would like TO bring be-
fore you poor man-a very miserable
man-.who asserts AMI still cliDgs 10 the
hope that you can aid him in his misery"
The count started. and for second his
black eyes cleaned ang,fly; then lie con-
| trollcd himself.
"A miserable man whom can belpf i
do not understand"
ain other words, the soldier who"
"Oh, you refer to the convict, the gal
ley-slave whom Mademoiselle Adrienne
-"
"His daughter, sir" said Adrienne, slow
ly rising. and standing erect before the
count.
O'Rourke started, with clenched hands,
and moved nearer to the count, an angry
light in his honest eyes, and the count in
some trepidation instinctively shrunk
away from him. Adrienne, gaining cour-
age from his evident surprise, followed
him. and the count gazed at her for few
seconds as If fascinated. then said, smil-
ing, and with slightly perceptible sneer
in his voice:
Eyes, 1 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Remand.
Well, what can possibly do for him am
at a loss to imagine"
"He is. here; he will tell you for HIM
SELF" said the dnke.
Another start, quickly changed to
gesture and an exclamation of surprise.
passed unnoticed. The attention was di-
vided, as the duke said firmly:
"Renaud, step forward. This gentle
man is the Count de Mornasse, the noble-
man you have so longed to meet again"