Waterbury evening Democrat., 1888-01-10
ROGER LAROQUE.
Adapted and Translated from the French
 of Jules Mary.
BY OLIVE HARPER.

Roger drew back, ashamed, overwhelmed at the thought that this noble man had come forward, and believed him when no one else would, and offered to defend him. whom more than any one else in the world Roger had wronged. It was too much. Roger wept bitterly.
 Lucien said, laughingly, "Have done with such childishness, my brother Tn arms ana heart. I know that it is very annoying, ana that it causes you profound grief and trouble; but since you are innocent and l am here to defend you, it will soon be over."
 q wept, Lucien, because I cannot accept your help, and because your devotion touches me so."
 "How ridiculously you talk, Roger! But am here to serve you, and not to hear com pliments Now tell me why don't you want me for lawyera"
 "I cannot" said the poor man, and think ing again of suicide, what to do, what way out of this new phase of his sufferings. At last he decided.
 "Lucien, do you know the proofs they have against mel You must have seen that they are extremely grave. Don't deceive yourself, Lncien; they will condemn me; they cannot do otherwise, and you will fail. shall not retain a lawyer. They can give me one or not as they choose" "That is one of your reasons!" "Yes"
 "If that is all we will talk of other things" Roger shook his head. He did not know what to say. There was but one thing clear in his mind, and that was that he could not permit Lucien to defend him. The lawyer took one of the prisoners hands in his own He read that there were combats in that suf- fering soul, but could not divine the cause.
 "You do not understand mo, then, Lucien am obliged at last to avow the truth. did kill Larouette!"
 Are you crazy?"
 "It is the truth, and do not wish you to defend me, Lucien, for I do not wish to be saved and am not worthy of your defense" !" "So you admit that you are tbe assassin? And all these reproaches, these tears and groans, these denials before the judge?"
 Comedy! To make them believe me lnno- cent!"
 "Well, then, you authorize me to tell M. De Lignerolles, so that when the case comes on we can plead guilty and throw ourselves on the mercy of the court. Is that it2""
 Roger made sign of assent.
 "Now, Roger, you know very we'll that don't believe one word of that" This was too much for Roger, this proof of grand affection, and he gave up utterly all attempt at subterfuge. But this strange ob- stinacy had given birth to an undefned sus- picion in the mind of Lucien; more all un- ! easiness than suspicion, but like the unrea- 1 sonable fear of a coming trouble. Later that scene came into his mind. | "Now, since you have done with childish ness, wish you to answer my questions. All that you have said to the three magistrates is true, is it not9 You have omitted nothing, added nothing?"
 "Nothing, assure you." l Lucien then questioned him minutely upon l the whole affair from beginning to end, and ] he noted down such few facts he though! might help him. After all that had been written he said:
 "Now, the next question is, from whom did you receive those notes? This you must tell me-"
 "Do not insist, Lucien. That cannot tell you."
 "WhyT'
 "Honor forbids."
 Rogers head dropped. Lucien kept silence a moment, but he watched Roger closely, an6 then with 0 nervous laugh exclaimed:
 "I will bet you that know"
 Roger shuddered. "Lucien your gayety hurts me-"
 "Divide your secret with me and I vii weep with you, if you wish. Only last nigh was talking with Julia and told her wa sure there was a woman in this."
 .sMy God! My God!" murmered Roger, prey to the most inexpressible gloom.
 "A married woman, doubtless" said Lu cien, continuing his torturing questions. am disappointed in you, Roger, but mus pardon. But tell me who she is and I vii go to her secretly and find out what sh knows of whence the money came" !,
 aHave mercy, Lucien."
 "Roger, must think not only of you, bu of Henriette and Suzanne. So, it being mar ried woman, you fear the husbands ange will fall on her and the dishonor for all pal ties. It is always so, sooner or later, in thes matters. Were you friend to this woman husband!"
 Roger thought moment, and remembe, ing that at that time Lucien was scarcel known to him, he said no. But, in spite C all Lucien could say or do, Roger would nc divulge the name.
 "You are very wrong. l know you are il nocent, and fear the worst if you persis Come, will leave you to reflect, and in th meantime will go about your vindicatio1 and shall see you before the day of trial"
 Lucien went away after more consolator words, but the noise his crutches and woode legs made on the marble hall outside scene just so many blows struck on Rogers hear
 CHAPTER VIII.
 The next day but one Lucien went to u . Vile dAvray, and took Q carriage from u everything in confusion and trouble, ft l Iol