Waterbury evening Democrat., 1888-01-02
ROGER LAR0QUE.
Adapted and Translated from the French
 of Jules Mary.
BY OLIVE HARPER.

previous by M. Roger Laroque, a well known mechanical engineer, whose workshops were situated in St. Maur street, and who had, be- sides, an apartment on the Boulevard Males herbes, at No. IF.
 In the winter he inhabited his apartments, and in summer be took refuge, with his wife and daughter, at Vile d'Avray, but every morning his business called him to Paris, to his shops in St. Maur street, and there he breakfasted, but returned in the evening at about o'clock to dinner, habit of life quite ordinary with Parisians who, during the summer, divide their existence in two parts, the day for Paris, the night for the country.
 On the evening which affords the com mencement of our story, in July, 1872, at o'clock, quite at variance with his usual habit, Roger Laroque had not yet returned. The dinner was waiting. In the parlor, where two windows opened out upon the ter race, and in the dining room there was no one to be seen, and one would have declared the house uninhabited, so calm and quiet it seemed ill the midst of the silence of the fad ing light
 Still, at the left of the parlor, two voices whispered. On that side was Mme La roques sleeping apartment, even still deeper plunged in the fast coming darkness No light burned, neither lamp nor candle. Two voices, one superb, grave and sweet, of such timbre as would cause you to love the speaker without even seeing her, and the other, in fantine and crystal in it's childish music. They were the voices of Mme. Henriette La roque and her little daughter, Suzanne. Mime. Laroquo drew an easy chair near the window, which was partly open, and seated herself there, drawing Suzanne close to her.
 This evening they awaited the coming of Laroque with impatience, and the very cot tage, with it's profusion of flowers and festal appearance, seemed to be surprised at this silence and solitude It was Suzannes seventh birthday, and shc was the only child, a little spoiled by the adoration of her father. and now, since the day before, the mother was trying to teach her pretty little speech which she was to make to her father upon his return. They were pretty little words of welcome and grateful love, and so they sat here in the darkness whispering them over and over again, that they might not be for gotten.
 The half hour past struck, and Henriette made a gesture of surprise.
 "Your father will not dine at home this evening. Come," said she; "I do not wish you to wait any longer"
 They went into the dining room. Mime. Iaroque rang and ordered that dinner be served. There were at the villa but three servants-a coachulan. a cook. and maid whose name was Victoria and who had been but two days in her service The dinner was 0 silent one. for in spite of herself vague sentiment of fear oppressed the heart of the young wife. Two or three times before Roger had been retarded, but he had always teleg:aphctl.
 This evening, no news. Why? They re- turned to the bedroom. Another hour dragged by Roger did not come. Henriette sat distracted by the window, crouched in the deep recesses of the easy chair. Victoria wanted to bring Gghts but sine opposed. Ten o'clock!
 "Arc you asleep, darlingg' asked Henriette
 "No, mamma" answered the child, whose eyes were wide open.
 "Don't you want to go to bed?"
 "Oh, no; I want to wait and kiss papa when he comes"
 Henriette, prey to anxiety, stepped out on tho balcony and leaned upon the rail, look ing downward towards the road which Roger, coming from the cars, habitually took. Suzanne, standing beside her, looked also. The night was very warm, without @ cloud. The Villa Montalais was separated from the Vile d'Avray by gardens and trees. Oppo- site it, in the chestnut grove, a little to the left, was neat little house, with green blinds, which stood directly on the street, while the villa, on the contrary, was separated from the street by a lawn, constantly re- freshed by little fountain. This cottage was lighted, and the open windows showed a room furnished with mahogany, having table in the middle and at the back a sort of secre- tary desk, pushed up against the wall. At this instant II o'clock sounded, and Henriette felt cold shiver of apprehension run over her, and she interlaced her hands with fear. At this instant e man of medium height passed through the lighted room and seated himself at the secretary, which he opened. They could see him distinctly, and Henriette and Suzanne looked at him. It was the oc- cupant of that cottage, and his name was Laronette.
 "Our new neighbor has returned" said the ! little girl.
 The man had taken from his coat pocket book and had emptied and spread out before him an immense sum of money in bank notes and rolls of gold pieces, apparently a fortune, which he began to arrange methodically, 1 counting and recounting with visible pleasure. l Henriette and Suzanne saw his profile only, 1 his back being turned towards the entrance 1 to his room. They heard the first quarter ring 1 on the church clock.
 1 Henriette bent oyer her child and kissed
 her forehead.
 q will call Victoria to undress you and put
 you in bed" said she.
 "Oh, mamma, one minute more. Papa
 cannot be much longer"
 "No, dear, it is very late You will be
 tired"
 And the young mother stepped aside and
 touched the ball. Victoria not answering at
 once, she rang again and returned to the
 balcony. The moon shone pure in serene
 sky. Opposite, the neighbor with slow and
 circumspect movement and avaricous enjoy
 ment, counted his gold and notes. Victoria
 came in.
 "Lght lamp and the night light" said
 Henriette, land then come and take Suzanne. At the same instant the little girl leaned
 over the balcony clapping her hands, laugh
 ing and calling:
 I Papa, papa! We have been waiting fol
 you. did not go to sleep"
 And a man came up the street, few
 paces from there. He was tall, and wore (
 light gray hat, and was dressed ill ligh1
 gray redingote, with Q cape over tht
 shoulders. At Suzanne's cry he slipped under
 the shadow of the chestnut trees before tht
 house, and Henriette, by stooping, had seer
 him also.
 "Roger, Roger!" called she, "why are yot
 90 latea If you knew how uneasy we law
 been"