The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1884-01-11

Aided 10y the duchess. the young peo-
pie were always arranging and carrying
out little pleasures. Adrienne was always
ready for drive to the city-it held a
hope of seeing the father who in one
short interview had won the girls whole
heart.
One morning Valentine surprised the
party with new recreation. Adrienne
was sitting on the terrace, listless and
pale, Raoul in vain trying to interest her,
ard the duchess was listening to some
plans of the Marquis de Calonne's when
Valentine came out to them.
There is news! O'Rourke has just
come from the city. Would you believe
it, the chateau next to this is open, full of
workmen, and the court is crowded with
wagons, bringing all kinds of things from
Toulon"
"What, the Chateau La Grange" said
the duchess. 1T has been closed ever
since we came to Provence"
"Who owns II" asked the marquis.
81 never heard. The duke, you know,
has no curiosity, and I never think of
asking about it for fear of getting on dan
gerous ground. No doubt the owner is
coming home"
THAT is the old chateau, Rsoul. that 1
told you about. / used to wish TO visit it..
am sure that you can get there in few
minutes through the door in our orchard
wall. Adrienne sat up, suddenly inter-
ested.
"Suppose we CO." said Raoul, rising.
"If the place is full of work-people, we
can look around without disturbing any
one."
To distract Adrienne was the most de-
sirable of all things. In a few minutes
the whole party was ready. The girls,
arm in arm. ahead, the duchess, who was
not SO light of foo., little behind. a young
man on each side to smooth all difficulties.
The orchard was bright with sunlight
and fragrant with ripe fruit ready to
their hands. Valentine took peach,
tossed it in the air, and laughed as she
caught it again. In spite of being name
less, in spite of Adrienne's sorrow, life to
this girl seemed trimming over with de-
lights; to her it was impossible not to ap-
preciate and enjoy them.
1t required some time and much
strength to open the iron. but once thrown
been purposely arranged as q means OF
rendering communication between the two
chateaux rapid and easy. A few steps
led to winding path, now overgrown,
but shaded and arched by tall, branching
trees, whose thick leaves resisted sun and
rain alike.
A few minutes walk brought the party
to small garden, on which opened side
door of the chateau. The sounds of voices
and various noises proclaimed the pres
ence of the new occupants, and Raoul,
without hesitation, led the way into the
vestbule, and opened the door leading in
TO large parlor.
Explanations of surprise and pleasure
followed. Here everything had been
undermined and fitted up with the luxuri-
Gus extravaganza belonging to the age.
Persian carpets covered the floor; the
walls were concealed with crimson and
damask; crystal lustres hung from the
high ceiling. their glories being multiplied
in the large Venetian mirrors. Satin
couches. gilded furniture, candelabras,
and clocks on marble stands took up much
of the space. Every. table held flower
baskets of gold, or ivory, or ebony. while
here and there china monsters, and pieces
of rare Chinese porcelain were scattered
with lavish hands.
"What can it all mean Z" said the duchess.
"And done so quietly, too; it is like the
scenes in n fairy tale, where all is changed
by the motion OF wand"
"Let us go farther" said Adrienne.
1--WE can ask who is coming to take pos
session Of all these elegant things"
Valentine had already reached door
which opened into a small ante-room.
This was also newly furnished, to cores
pond with the one they had just admired.
No person was visible. They went on
until they reached the main hall of the
building. Here number of men were
unpacking boxes, and woman was Civ
ing directions.
But she knew nothing of the owner, or
of his whereabouts. Orders had been re-
ceived from Paris by agents in Toulon,
and she had been engaged with a small
retinue of servants to oversee the care Of
the chateau after the rooms were refur-
nished.
In the main hall the improvements had
not been commenced, but although dusty
and faded, the hangings and furniture
were of a modern date, and in good con-
dition.
4 Valentine examined the apartment in
silence, touching the furniture, and walk
ing up and down as if intensely interested.
Suddenly she opened door leading in
direction exactly opposite to the one by
which they had reached the main hall
and, before Adrienne was able to join her,
she was hurrying along broad passage,
lit by narrow windows and empty of all
furniture.
Henri de Calonne followed, and found
her trying TO open door at the other end
of the long corridor.
Her eager, startled eyes, white cheeks.