The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1884-02-08

her hanls TO her head, az If to recall her
scattered thoughts. A,lrienne watched
her. perplexed ut her earnestness. After
rejecting for short time, she put her
hand on Adrienne's arm, and stared fixed
ly in her sad, timid face.
"You say that you would shield from
punishment your mothers murderer
valentine, think to what horrible,
lingering death ! should consign him!
Then loving him as did, as do, could /
do It'll Oh. the mere thought of such an
'ction on a child's part makes me
shudderr
"And he would thus escape all punish
ment," Valentine seemed to think aloud.
"He could not escape his own conscience,
Valentine. To live unsupported OF the
crime, yet tortured by that ever-present
accuser, would be an expiation for the
deed"
"You are reasoning on the theory that
no arrest would be made, that your father
being unsupported, the real murderer
would be supposed to have escaped pur-
suit"
"Why, yes, Valentine; and would you
not do the sameF'
Under the circumstances I might. A
lifelong repentance might atone for the
crime. But, Adrienne, suppose an inno-
cent man were arrested for the crime,
tried, found guilty, and condemned, like
your poor father, on circumstantial evil
dence, to wear n convict's dress and drag
chain, as he does, in the streets of yon
der cityY"
s.Oh, Valentine, you frighten mel!
suppose, say, such case! A guilty
man shielded, and an innocent one suffer-
ing the infamy, the pain. enduring the
| toll, the heat, the cold. the insults OF any
brutal person who cared to taunt him
while passing! More than that, the sep
al alton from his own family-perhaps
from a daughter like you, and who, like
you, believed in his innocence Suppose,
1 say, such case. and yourself the child
conniving ut the unmerited punishment
Of an innocent man! What-what would
you do then, Adriennel What would you
do Them
Adrienne shrank away. frightened at
the passionate vehemence of Valentines
VOC, at her flashing eyes and burning
-. But Valentine followed her.
=! me, Adrienne, what would you
do2"
The appeal was full of anguish. and
would be answered. Adrienne's eyes filed
at the sight of Valentines SORROW.
"Alas! Valentine. cannot reason as
you do; i cannot comprehend your mean
ing. / do not know what / should do. I
| - b, Al,
ton. Mine is sad enough, humiliating,
crushings but that-that would be"
Far worse, You shrink from even
the contemplation of a child satisfied of
her fathers guilt, and witnessing an inno-
cent man suffering in his stead; but, If
you were placed in such an awful posi-
ton, with no one to go to, no one to help
you, Heaven would inspire you. Adrienne,
as it will inspire mer'
Valentines uplifted eyes. her clasped
hands, raised in fervent supplication, was
a sight that for moment held Adrienne
still in mute surprise. Then light broke
upon her. She caught Valentines hands,
held them firmly, and whispered passion
ately:
"Why do you ask me these questionsf
What have you discoveredY Quick, VAL
entine, tell me. You have learned"
A heavy step in the ante-room made
her pause; both girls turned and met the
counts eyes fixed on them as he entered.
Adrienne would have shrunk away I'M
der their angry expression; but Valen-
tine, with rapid movement, threw her
arm around Adrienne's waist, and, thus
supporting her, awaited the counts scorn-
full words.
$50, together again"
Valentine did not stir.
II thought I told you, shor. time
since, my wishes on this subject2."
"You did; but Adrienne cannot, in any
way. injure me-
Valentines voice was calm and clear.
Her eyes met the counts quick glances
with fearlessness that enraged while it
puzzled him.
"what do you mean by that's"
81 mean that Adrienne and l are now
equally convinced of her fathers inno-
cence of the crime laid to his charge"
sand you persist in disobeying me. 1
was explicit in my command that you
should have nothing to do with that girl"
Valentine sbivered, and looked lovingly
at Adrienne, who was gently disengaging
herself from her strong clasp.
Forgive me, Valentine, If l have
caused you to disobey your father. I did
not know that he"
Sine ceased, unable TO speak.
"Do not fret, Adrienne. Separation
| cannot chanpe our love for each othpr-v
"Separation, Valentine!"
The count turned away from Adri-
enne's startled eyes; but Valentine, bend
ing, kissed her passionately, tears choking
her voice.
Courage, Adrienne; trust me. I will
not forget your grief and my promise"
"But separation! to lose you, Valen-
timer
"There might be worse evils, Adrienne;
| Let had fath