Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1886-05-06
4 PARIS MYSTERY
By the Author of "Ny Ducats and Ny
Daughter"
fcHAPTER vI.-CoNTINCED.l ]

NV child! My own Gabrlelle'
oh mother, you that loved him-called
him your son"
my child! | will believe what you believed
Yes. he is my sonl he is innocent!"
do not say that my eyes were dry at this
moment / know that ! felt myself more of
a guilty wretch than the worst criminal that
ever stood at the bar of justice. Certainly,
Raoul was not guilty, this angel had said SO,
and therefore it must be true. Let the evi-
dence be what it might or the police say what
they would, Gabrielle had given her verdict;
it should be mine Was womans love to
stand the test and mans friendship to fail?-
/ cast my doubts to the wind. Iswore to atone
for my cowardly suspicious.
''FOrgive me, NJ. Marsal, y heard Gabrielle
say; 'look round, and say you forgive mer'
Hooked round and saw her kneeling by her
mothers side. One hand was held in Mme
Dumaine's, the other she stretched forth to
me- took it and kissed it, and mIlrmured
something about the forgiveness coming from
her.
''No, no" she said; 81 know that all the
appearances are against him-I know that
men reason, where women only feel But
there are times when you may trust a woman
who reasons with her heart. Believe me,
IL believe it," L cried; Il swear To you
never to doubt again"
"Only think, how could he have done it?
On that Monday night he came here; he
tapped at the door; knew it was he-I ran
to open. Only word, dear he said Just
to see you and hear your voice, and then
goodnight, for it is late won't you come
in, Raouln l said to him; mother and are
in, auJ tally 10 fnls bpT11
Not tonight, dearest, he said; L have work
to do, and friend Paul is sitting up for me-
Good night-don't forget New Years Day
and our walk round the Boulevardsn Then
| said good night to him, and-and he kissed
me- Oh, motherl NJ. Marsall can you think
that he went from me-straight from me,
with that kiss upon his lps-to murder the
old man for his money? Oh God, what evil
will people not believer
"My darling, we do rot believe it? We
think as you dds it not so, N. Marsal"
could see that Nine. Dumaines belief was
not so firm as she world have liked it to
appear. But for my part, after such advo-
cacy as Gabrielle's, the court of assizes could
not have altered my opinion.
'Mademoiselle," I said, ''it is true that 1
suspected Raoul at first. l do not seek to
defend myself; l think of it with shame.
The evidence is against him just now
strongly against him; that cannot be denied.
Wen, let us wait meanwhile; he himself will
explain it. If his explanation needs proof l
will find it; | pledge myself to that, before
the Virgin and your
Thanks my friend - she murmured, again
holding out her hand to me.
"Do not grieve, Mademoiselle. RaouI is
innocent; therefore he is safe. / shall see
him, and tell him what you said to me to-
night; that will give him courage
And YOU will help him!"
"While the breath is in my body. and a
sou i'll my purse! Idevote myself TO this-it
is areparation, an atonementl Mademoiselle,
thank you. You'll have kept me from utterly
betraving my friend"
sought TO comfort the two women, and to
some extent succeeded. When L left them
Gabrielle was more calm.
DO You really think" fatered Mime
Dumaine, rs she opened the shop door for
me.
Madame, am certain. Your angel of a
daughter is right; let us take our inspiration
from her.
The poor woman sighed; noticed the can
die shaking in her hand.
If they find him guilty she will die" she
said; goodnight, NJ. Marsal, and thank YOU
for all your goodness"
was followed homeward, as had been in
coming. Onreaching the Rue Dauphine, /
found Pierre in state of frantic excitement
and his wife in tears; she had an affection for
Raoul. Everything was known now; Pierre
was to give evidence at the inquiry; he had
been visited during my absence by an agent
of police.
"He is upstairs now,n said the servant to
me-''he has been waiting for Monsieur
more than an hour. All, Monsieur, can you
believe it! NJ. Girard, who would not hurt
hy2-surely it is not possible!"
''You are right, l said; 'itis not possible"
And went upstairs to face the agent of po-
lice -