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

all these years, Valentine. Your interests
are. no doubt, involvedi otherwise she
would not have deprived you Of this treas
ure, your mothers portrait"
sand the changes herew Valentines
eyes grew bright with hope. "Sorne one
is coming; can it be my father"
at is more likely, Valentine, that the
chanoinesse. having arranged your affairs.
has given orders to these people in Tou-
lon TO prepare the chateau for your recep-
ton. Some important concerns prompted
her visit TO Paris. do hope, for your
sake, that am right in my conjecture.
But tell me, what drew you to this gal
leryY"
~ cannot tell you. AS child, spent
hours OF each day here; it was my favor
lite resort l suppose the portrait was my
attraction You see those newly furnished
rooms suggested nothing to me, they
were quite strange; but rs soon as we
reached the large hall, everything seemed
to grow more and more familiar. /
seemed to know where each door would
lead me il opened it, and instinctively 1
went to the one leading to the corridor
II was my old habit returning after all
these years."
"And is:it possible, Valentine, that you
have no recollection of your father2" said
Adrienne. her eyes filing with tears.
"None, none whatever! have tried at
times to recall him, his form, his voice;
but in vain! suppose l saw very little
of him."
The duchess had been closely examin-
ing the different pictures, always returning
to the one so loved by Valentine. Her
face at length excited the girls curiosity
She put her hand on the Duchess dAu-
bretot's.
"You must have known my mother"
she whispered. The duchess started rs if
from revere.
valentine, may tell you this: your
face was familiar to me from the first, and
the chanoinesse admitted that had met
your mother. This portrait solves the
whole problem. did know your mother,
and this chateau was hers; she was a
wealthy heiress, and must have married
very young. Ask me no more questions;
the chanoinesse is no doubt preparing a
surprise for you, and, rs we have partly
anticipated it, it is only fair to leave
her something to tell you"
Still, am glad you told me this. I
loved you, but now that know you saw
my mother, spoke to her, and can one day
speak of her to me, 1 love you more than
ever"
The duchess embraced and kissed the
girl, and then Adrienne Rugged her in
her impulsve way.
"Only to think, Valentine, after all, you
are great heiress, and am only poor
convict's childw
"But your Valentine just the same, Adj
rienne. Besides, as yet 1 have nothing;
but if I ever have it jn my power, my
first thought will be to help your father"
"You are so good, so kind. Valentine.
I often wonder that the marquis does not
feel at times little jealous of mel take
up so much of your time and thought" .
Henri must answer for himself" said
Valentine; ~ loved you before I knew of
his existence"
"You are right, Valentine" said the
marquis; 1.-The greater your love for Ad-
rienne the greater mine for you. But
you are both growing excited; had we not
better leave this gallery, valentinef Now
that we can find our way here, will bring
you here whenever you wish to see the
pictures. All this time I have been trying
to find one that might represent your
father, but from what the duchess has
said IL would not be here. this estate hav-
ing belonged to your mother"
"Let US GO home" said the duchess.
eve have had excitement enough for one
day. We can go home by the road, 80 an
to extend the walk" So saying, she led
the way to the hall.
The front court and lawn were bright
with busy workmen, to several Of whom
Raoul spoke; but no one had heard any
thing. beyond the orders for putting the
building in habitable condition.
Valentine and the marquis followed very
slowly, stopping often to look back, so
that Valentine might recall the appear
ance of her old home, but she could not
remember it.
To be Continued