Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1884-01-15

Marie looked at me in despair. e'They
do not KNOW said she.
~ will tell them at once" l replied
placing my fingers on the latch. :.
I felt her hand upon my arm. mo-
said she; II implore you.
'My fathcr,' said she; 81 am afraid Of
him. If he knew of this, he would blame
me. l am engaged to be married to Eau
bert -
'.To that demon ?" 1 exclaimed with
surprise.
1T is my fathers wish," she explained
''Ob, how I hate the MANI
Another burst of laughter reached US.
: "Quick" said I, ''some lanterns. Leave
all to me.'' Assuming as calm and polite
manner as I could under the circumstau-
ces, entered the cafe and addressed the
two men, 81 understand. gentlemen. -
said I. s'that your friend, Monsieur Leon
ard, has not returned this evening to his
fathers house at Fecamp. I have reason
to believe he has met with foul play.
will explain my SELF" added, as the men
began to question me. "If you will ac-
company me along the road which Mon
sieur Leonard told me he should take to-
night ON his return to Fecamp, we can talk
as we go along; for | hink we ought to
!. lose no time IN starting on this search
The men readily agreed to my proposal
At my suggestion, we proceeded on foot
each with lantern of his own. 1t bad
ceased to rain. but the night was intensely
dark and misty. | selected one side of the
road, while my companions searched ong
the centre aud upon the other side. Halt
ing constantly for consultation, we march
ed in line, flashing our lanterns at every
point and at every object in our course.
After had briefly related to these two
friends what had seen and heard at the
inn, we spoke no word, except when we
stopped to examine spot in the valley or
on the slope, when one of us Dever failed
to shout out "Leonardr' in loud tone.
The two men each in circle oflight from his
lantern, resembled phantoms as they moved
along with a cautious step; and haunted as
was by the face of the wheelwIight, ]
i'm lined saw Faiibert'S dark eyes direct
ly in the dark beyond my lantern.
We had gone a mile nr more along the
road IN the manner described, when sud-
denly some object, scarcely larger than Il
glow-worm, flushed distinctly against the
light of my lantern. "What's hat ?" said
| to my companions, pointing toward the
spot. Bat without waiting for a reply, |
cautiously descended the hill. ga bandp'
7 cried. land upon it diamond ring"
The light of my lantern at the same mo-
ment fel, upon ghastly face. 1t WAS
Monsieur Leonard. AT first, believed
him TO be dead. But placing my hand up
on his heart, found it was still beating.
wound above his forehead, from some
blun5 instrument, told dreadful tai.
We carried him back to the inn without
utttering word He fingered between
life and death for days. Marie nursed him
with a care which proved how deep love
she bore him. She saved his life.
About year after this event, Monsieur
Leonard was married to the daughter of
the innkeeper. The wheelwright has never
been seen since. Monsieur Leonard declar
ed that he saw nothing and heard nothing
before he was struck down. The house
and shed where Faubert lived and worked
are still empty, but no one seems anxious
to succeed him as the wheelwright of SEN
neville