The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1890-03-14


to avoid such an event, for Suzanne was SO
delicate that there were little hopes that she
could live through any illness.
Lucien had hoped to discover something
that might help to clear away the shadows
now gathering so darkly around Roger. But
he was too late. Before he left, the old Uncle
Bernardo said to him:
"You are Rogers lawyer, are you notf'
"His lawyer and his friend"
aWhat do you think of this sad AFFAIR."
an which capacity do you want my opin-
ion2"
aBoth."
GWell, thon, as friend, am sure Roger is
the innocent victim of some fatality. As
lawyer, am convinced that he will be con-
demned."
"When shall you soc hima'
Tomorrow. Must then tell him Of this
new afIlictionp
eyes, and tell him that whatever happens,
we, my wife and l, will be to his little daugh-
ter true and tender parents, and that we will
take her to our home, where she may forget,
in time, all this sad trouble. We shall stay
here as long as there is a hope that poor Hen
riette's body may be found, and then we will
go home. / will take charge of Rogers fac
tory, and manage it for him until this is all
settled; and if the worst should come the pro-
ceeds will be for Suzanne. Tell him he will
find me at Rue Saint Maur or at my home,
as long as live"
"You are good and noble man, NJ
Bernardit," said Lucien.
"And you, also, NJ. De Noirville. God
bless you'll"
Lucien went on to Versailles, and said to
Roger:
Friend, prepare yourself to hear new
trouble"
"My child is dead!" cried Roger, with
husky voice.
mo, but it is feared, and with, alas! only too
much reason, that poor Henriette has thown
herself into the river in q fit of mental aber-
ration"
Rogers knees bent under him, and he sank
to the floor. But he had not strength enough
left to weep. AT last he lifted his haggard
face. "It is better so, better so. Oh, my
poor Henriette, my poor broken hlyW
Lucien visited Roger several times before
the day of trial. He wished to overcome
that strange obstinacy, but in spite Of every
argument and prayer that he should tell him
under the veil of secrecy, he could get no
word on that subject from Roger.
LET my destiny be accomplished"
The day of the trial came, and Roger
learned that they were going to bring Su-
zanne again to testify. This was the last
drop in his already Drumming cup, and he sat
indifferent and apparently the least inter-
ested of oil there present as the mass OF testi-
mony was given.
Lucen entered the court room painfully,
sustained by brother lawyer, and he went
direct to Roger and embraced him with
warmth and genuine affection. The specta-
Gle went straight to the hearts of the spects-
tors.
When the order was given to bring in the
daughter OF the accused there was a murmur
OF disapprobation, and one woman-perhaps
q mother-cried aloud
"This is not right. Thou shalt not seethe
kid in its mothers milk You have no right
to make this child condemn her father"
"Silence in COURT" cried the judge, Cor
shall clear the hail."
The "president of the tribunal" or chief
magistrate of the court of assizes, ordered
that the child be brought to him.
"My child" said he, "do you know that
mani"
ayes, it is my father"
"Do you love hing
ayes"
"Wherc is your motherF
"She is dead"
"What caused her to dieP
81 do not know"
"You saw from your balcony man go into
Larouette's house and kill him. Was it your
father?n
The child made negative sign.
"Your mother saw him, too-your poor,
dead mother You loved her, did you notf'
"Oh, yes, sir"
"Then try to remember. for her sake what
or who you saw that night"
81 did not see anything"
Tho president then addressed Rogers
"The silence of this child accuses YOU"
"Alas, SIR" said Roger, II begged her TO
speak, but she would not"
"What she saw must be more terrible to
say than what she leaves us to believe by her
silence"
"Dd your mother tell you to deny having
seen anything9"
"No, sir, she did not"
aid you see your father or not, child! Re
member, it is his life that is trembling on
your lips
~ have told you all, so many, many times
that saw nothing, nothing at all. Please do
not try to make me tell n lie."
Here tho unhappy little creature burst into
tears.
"Why do you cry, my child'' asked the
president.
because my papa is crying"
Here ono of the jury arose. He could bear
this scene no longer. 81 think, your honor,
we have heard all that is necessary"
Many persons were in tears, and the presi-
dent himself was very willing that the little
martyr be spared further suffering, and she
was carried out by an officer ard given to the
tender caro- of tho uncle and aunt who
awaited her.
Then they questioned Roger, and he an
swered oil the questions in detail, repeating
what he had told them before, but was SO ex-
hausted when all was done that he could not
hold himself straight in his chair, but he had
not given the name of his mysterious debtor.
When Lucien rose, sustained by his
crutches and his poor manned limbs ending
with wooden stumps, there was muimur of
pity all through the hall, and several men,
bers Of the jury could scarcely restrain their
tears. He opened his plea slowly, in low
voice at first, but which warmed into elo-
quence as he went over step by step Rogers
past life and history, told of his courage and
devotion to his country, his family, his friend,
and then tried to show that such man could
not have become murderer even to save his
business from ruin He made them feel that