Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-03-30
Il tell you that want to speak to the

into heavy pair of mems shoes, and a
tattered, gray blouse and calico skirt
scantily covered her slight, childish FORM
The heat and excitement had given color
to her cheeks, her tawny eyes sparkled be-
meath the Gght-brown hair which fell in
rebellious masses about her shoulders, and
her dilated nostrils and half-parted lips
were quivering.
what is the meaning of all this hub
bub ?" growled the Judge, frowning.
at is that little charcoal grip replied
Clerk Toucheboeuf "She came to the
Courthouse just after you left, and she
has followed me here like mad-woman
to have you take her testimony"
"Ha!" grumbled the Judge, "you are in
dreadful hurry, after making US wait
three days for you! Why did you not an
swer my summons sooner?"
81 had my reasons" said she, casting
the glance of wild bird upon the we'll
laid table and the two men.
"We shall consider their value after a
while-those reasons of yours" replied the
Judge furiously, land they may cost you
dearp'
He drew out his watch. "a quarter OF
eleven! We have time enough. Touche-
beuf, you will find there all the writing
material necessary. We will question her."
The clerk seated himself at one corner
of the table, with his papers and inkstand
before him. and, with pen suspended over
his ear, waited for the deposition. The
Judge, leaning back pompously in his
great armchair, turned his sharp, steel
gray eyes upon the young girl, who stood
resting against the stove.
"Your name" demanded he in a curt
voice
"Meline Sacael"
"Your age and residence p"
sixteen years.. live with my father,
who burns charcoal in the pits at Ouze-
Fontaines"
"You swear that you will tell the
whole truth ?"
"That is why l have come"
"Raise your hand Good! You were
at the charcoal-pits during the night from
the I'd to the Sd. Near your woodward
Seurrot, the forester, was assassinated
Tell US what YOU know about it."
II will tell you the whole story. Our
men had gone to carry the charcoal to
Stenay, and | was keeping watch of the
furnaces. About 2 o'clock, at the time the
moon was going to set, Manchin, who is a
wood-cutter at Ire, passed before our
cabin. You are up very early said /,
is everything as you would wish at your
home%
NO answered he, my wife has the
fever, and my little ones are crying with
hunger; there is not morsel of bread in
the house, and | am going to try to shoot
a hare, so as to sell it tomorrow morning
at Marville.'
with that he took the road toward
Ouze-Fontaines, and was soon out of sight
But toward day-break, the wind having
risen, was putting up the screens to shelter
the charcoal, when | heard a gun-shot,
and then almost Immediately after, furi-
GUS race towards our cabin. There were
loud words.
Rascal cried the guard, 4 shall inform
on your
"'Seurrot,' pleaded the other, 'at least,
give me back the hare! my family is
starvingp
"'Be off with your shouted the guard
"Thereupon they grappled with each
other and the blows fell thick and fast in
the darkness. Suddenly the guard gasped
"Ahr and fell back heavily to the ground
| retreated hastily to the cabin, my brain
reeling with what | had seen. Mean
while Manchin made his escape through
the woods, and at the present time is safe
in Belgium, you may be sure. That is the
whole story"
"Hmw muttered the Judge, "and why
did you not come and tell that to the Court
&c ,-al he
at was none of my business. And then
toe, / did not want to denounce Manchin'
Indeed !! and yet this morning you have
changed your mindw
THAT was because they were accusing
Gustin."
"Who is this Gustin ?"
The girl blushed deeply and murm@red
"He is our fellow-workman, and boy
that would not harm fly. You see," con.
tinued she, with fierce vehemence, ''the
thought that he should be prosecuted fo1
the evil doings Of another pierced me tc
the heart, so | set out at once and ran with
all my might through the forest. Oh
how ran | did not heed my fatigue.
would have walked until to morrow, il
necessary, because, gentlemen, as true as
iiltlS 10 ii ltdhth dDONc Us, my NuStlu ldu
nothing to do with the crime! am ready
to swear it at the stalker
The girl spoke with an animation which
made her really beautiful, in spite of hel
tattered garments. Her uncuItured elo.
quence had profound accent of sincerity
and the Judge himself was impressed by
the energy with which the maiden defended
cher" Gustin
"Holu.'' cried he, suddenly, seeing hel
change color and grow weak. "What is
the matter ?"
The girl grew ashy pale, and cold per
spiration gathered on her temples.
"My head Is reeling! | am worn out p
she stammered.
The Judge, affrighted, quickly poured
out glass of wine, saying:
"Come, drink thatw
The old bachelor was quite dismayed and
not a little embarrassed at the prospect Of
the young girl becoming ILL., He could not
think of disturbing Scolastique, who was
busy with her culinary duties He turned
a questioning, bewildered gaze toward the
clerk, who was nervously nibbling the end
of his pen.
at is only sudden faintness," observed
the latter, reassuringly. Perhaps she is in
need of food"
"Are you hungry ?" anxiously demanded
the Judge.
The girl nodded her head affirp atively
and added family:
Excuse me, sir, but have eaten moth
ing since yesterday morning. That is
what made me weak"
Monsieur Sourdat started violently at
these words. For the first time in wears
he felt his selfish heart thrill. To think
that such frail little creature had trav-
eled three good leagues to rescue her
young lover from the hand of Justice
three leagues in the burning sun, and
still fasting. That went to his inmost
heart. In his emotion he cast despair
ing glance upon the table. Should it be
the salad, the crabs? No, that was food
for people whose appetite was satiated So,
heroically, violently, he pulled toward
him the platter on which lay the magnif
cent trout, and cut an immense slice, which
he placed on plate before the astounded
girl, saying imperiously:
'Sit down and eat"
There was no need of repeating the in
vitation. She began at once to eat fierce
ly-even ravenously. In a few minutes
the plate was empty, and Monsieur Sour
dat, determined to be heroic to the utmost,
fllad ~ ooai,