The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-07-25
CHAPTER XIX.

Roger returned saddened and Mortified from
the bedside of Julia, who, he now knew, had
willed probably designed, his ruin, and now
all that had been hidden in that poor boys
heart was plain to him. Added to this
thought was the fear of losing his only child,
and he began to wish he had never left Amer.
lea, where they had been at peace. Bus
what was done was done. He now had to
think of ner and her happiness only, that was
if she lived.
When he reached the house at daybreak he
almost feared to enter the room, but he mus
tered what courage he could and opened the
door softly and made two steps forward,
when he saw Suzanne lying with her beauti.
full violet eyes, now preternaturally large,
wide open and sweet smile upon her lips,
and she stretched out her hands, saying fee
bly,:
ooh, father, how happy ami"
Roger held out his arms to Raymond, who.
after one minute of hesitation, threw himself
into Roger Laroque's embrace.
Raymond knew from Rogers eyes that his
mother was dead, but neither dared say
word before Suzanne, and as her father
kissed her tenderly he said:
II am obliged to send Raymond away from
you for day or two, my child, on business
that brooks of no delay; but you will b
brave and spare him, will you nots For your
fathers sake and for Raymonds future,
which is now to be passed by your side."
Suzanne, too weak to talk, made an affirm
alive sign, and Raymond bent over her and
pressed his first kiss on her lips-his seal of
betrothaL
Raymond knew all; his mother had ex-
plated her crime, and her soul had passed to
higher Judge, and Roger had forgiven her;
and if his mother was forgiven, then, at last,
he might accept the joy that such forgive
ness brought.
The two men went out together and Ray
mond heard all there was to tell, and he
went to Meridon farm to pay the last sad
rites to his erring mothers ashes.
Roger loved his child, and he was willing
that she should become Raymonds wife; but
that did not prevent him from feeling his
loss, and as he walked his thoughts went, as.
indeed, they always had, back to the days
when his beloved wife was with him, befoys
this cruel tragedy had taken place. He had
loved Henriette truly and profoundly, and
her memory was always bright and tenderly
kept in his heart of hearts.
That day was Saturday, and it was for this
night that the appointment with Luversa1
was made at Larouette's cottage, in Vile
dAvray, which Roger had rented some days
before Everything had remained just as IL
was the day Of the murder. Nothing was
changed, and Roger was obliged to be there
punctual to his appointment, to make an
effort to discover the real assassin in order to
clear his own name
Suzanne, the doctor said, was now out Of
danger, and Roger left her In his charge and
that of the nurse for the night, and she
seemed to be so we'll that he had no fear.
Roger had written Tristot and Pivolot to
come there as early as o'clock, and they,
acting on his orders, induced M. Lacroix and
M. De Lignerolles to accompany them. The
latter, though not knowing what they were
wanted for, We're both on hand at the
hour appointed, and were taken at once
to a room adjoining the one where
Roger intended to receive Luversan and
where LaroHetts had been killed. Tristot
took the lead. and somehow managed to make
those two men, usually so positive and opin-
donated, accept their demand that they should
wait there, and promised they should see
something worth all their pains. Tlsey were
duly introduced to Mr. William Forney, and
found him a pleasant gentleman, though
little mysterious in wishing them to come
here in SO peculiar manner, but they were
sufficiently curious to await the scene pre-
pared for them.
1t was about o'clock when Luversan de-
scended from the train and took his way
along the street towards the cottage, and he
looked nervously about him and felt reas-
sured as he saw none but strange faces
He went slowly along the street until
he came to tie cottage, and there. in spite
of all he could do, he slipped to the
darkest side and kept as much as pos
sible under the shadow of those same trees
which had sheltered him before In spite Of
all he could do he was afraid.
But he knew what was at stake and he
went to the door this time, as he had not
done before, and rang the bell. Roger him
self opened it, saying carelessly:
Excuse ME. have no servants yet, ex-
cept Mother Dondaine, who cooks and man.
ages for me for the present."
Luversan gave his hand to Roger who
noticed that it was cold and damp, and that
he shivered though the night was warm.
"Are you ill?" said Roger
"No. walked rapidly; that is ALL"
They went up the few steps leading to the
little sitting room, and though Luversan tried
TO smile, it was more CT grinace that dis
figured his features, and his breathing seemed
oppressed as they entered the fatal room, and
LuverSan D0de a gesture of horror as he
noticed everything as they had been fixed in
bis memory for ten years.
"Come in, come in" said Roger. "It is not
very pleasant here, but it is odd, and therefore
pleases me. took 1t because I heard there
was ghost, but there isn't after all. Here h
the very room and there beside that secretary
the spot where the old man they tell us OF
was murdered, and they found his body right
there where you stand"
Luversan stepped back quickly and looked
mechanically on the floor, saying hoarsely:
as that blood?"
mo, no." replied Roger "The fools washed
that up. l wish they had left it. But YOU
appear uneasy. Don't you like the placea"
1T Is not that it is that what you are about
70 answer me is Of such mighty importance
that am anxious"
"Oh, yes; well, that is grave, very grave.
and am very sorry-yes, really sorryn-
what, you refuse?"
wen, no; not exactly. don't exactly re-
fuse, but l am not quite ready to accent.
either l will tell you. 1 understand Won
need million. Well, yesterday l went to
Fai1s TO get it, but my bankers who hold my
funds persuaded me to tell why wanted Il.
ana they objected so stfenuousy TINT couh
not get all wished; and though happened
70 nave dlsposable some 100000 or SOC. 600
francs, have not all, and that is why I am
perplexed. Of course, as soon as could send
to New York could let you have the whole.
but that takes so long,
Luversan began to plead and areue and
try to persuade Roger that he could easily
borrow the rest and let him have il in IT,
morning, but Roger said he never borrowed
and that was cut of the question.
UT don't