The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1884-02-08
CON D E M N ED;
The Story of a Galley Slave.
Adapted from the popular play, "a CELB-
DRAFTED CASE"


one fatal word "Claire" met her eyes.
sharp, despairing cry rang through
the room; the duchess turned, but Valen-
tine stood as if petrifed; her eyes were
fixed on something that she held in both
hands.
"what is it, valentineY" asked the
duchess. 1888
Valentine shuddered, and let her hand
drop to her side. thus concealing the
necklace in the folds of her dress. The
duchess saw the rapid movement, and APP
preaching put her hand on Valentines
arm. Valentines face, white and rigid
with horror, startled her.
"valentine, something terrible is weigh
ing upon you. Will you not confide in
mer
"You! Oh, no! cannot. / must think!'
"But what have you in your hands"
'One of the jewels, madame. do not
like i'll"
"Well, let me see it,"
The duchess held out her hand. Valen-
tine shrank away from her and quickly put
the necklace into her pocket. Her eyes
were wild with fright, her whole body
shook; she murmured, as if gasping for
breath:
"No, no! mot now. will not wear IT,"
swell, there are others, Valentine.
Come, try and he calm, my child. See, the
pearls are beautiful. and Adrienne will
wear pearls. Will you wear these3"
Valentine stood for a moment looking
from the duchess to the casket. Then
she turned away and threw herself into a
large chair rs if perfectly exhausted. The
duchess sat down near her, and tried to
soothe her.
at is useless, madame; my mind is
made up. will not go to this presenta-
ton"
"Not go! Why, Valentine, that is nom
sense, unless you are physically unable r.
ut is not that, madame. There are
other considerations"
"You are fretting about Adrienne. Do
not let that weigh with you for a moment.
After you have been presented, will talk
to your father, and obtain his consent to
your speaking to Adrieune. Reflect. my
child. For years you have not only lived
in great seclusion, but even your name
was withheld from your associates. 1t is
very important that you should now be
introduced and accepted as the daughter
of the Count lie MoInasse. Nearly all
these estates are yours, in right of your
mother. The count cannot claim them,
except through you. You see your pres
ence at this presentation il, therefore,
necessary for many strong reasons. So,
be calm and self reliant, my dear child.
All will yet go well. l must leave you.-
What shall tell Alrienne2"
Tell her have not forgotten my
promise"
"And the jewels--will you wear the
pearlsi-
"Perhaps So madame"
The duchess rose, and kissed Valentine,
in her kind, motherly way.
"There. dear child, now you will COM
pose yourself, and do what is right. This
is very convenient entrance. am so
glad we can see each other so quickly,
and without any ceremonious announcing"
The duchess smiled as she returned
Valentines deep courtesy, and slowly dis
appeared in the ante-room beyond.
y No sooner had the heavy door shut,
than Valentine drew the necklace from
her pocket, and again examined it.
There cannot he the slightest doubt,
then. This is the necklace, Let me
think. Given by the duchess to Made.
leine; placed by the soldier in box with
the money, the jewels and the papers
taken with them--stolen by the murderer
of Madeleine! Oh, what-what is this
mystery2 On one side or the other is
concealed fearful crime. Which story
am TO believed On the one hand, con-
, vict, galley -slave-a man whom every
circumstance pointed to as the murderer,
, even the testimony of his own child. On
the other, gentleman, respected and ac-
cepted as the Count de Mornasse, return
ing, after an absence of twelve years, to
claim his family estates, and bringing
with him this-this irrefutable proof that
the soldier did not perjure himself; that
his theory was right! Another did the
deedl But who's Why do / tremble sol
My brain seems on fire! You will do
rightr The duchess said so as she left
me. Yes--I will do right! Adrienne
shall not suffer any longer! Is it not she
mot she who is to bear this misery and
disgrace7 No, her father is innocent !;
another man murdered her poor, helpless
mother, and that man is-my fatherw
Overcome Mt the horror OF her own
conviction, Valentine fell back. nearly
fainting, on chair. She still grasped the
necklace, but all her physical and mental
power seemed paralyzed by the weight Of
the secret that tortured her. She tried to
think of some explanation for her fathers
possession Of the necklace, but her reason
would not accept what her fancy suggest
ed. The dull, heavy toipor of despair
was settling down upon her. The counts
manner and words were his worst ac-
cusers.
II must see ,Adrienne," she murmured,
over and over again; and while she was
speaking the door near her again opened
- ,l,.;aoon ofoo1 bafore har