The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-06-06

gathered in his AMI he kissed them all to-
gether. Mother and child, with pale faces,
kept silence.
The magistrate interviewed
II brought you into the presence Of your
husband" said he, because I hope still that
you will listen to his prayers and understand
that you had better tell all GU saw, no mat
ter what it was, for his sake, than to keep this
strange silence Your husband will tell you
palmer than l can that it is in his interest
that you speak. To all of US it is evident that
you and your child saw this murder The
gravest charge hangs over your husbands
head. Therefore, if you refuse 10 speak it is
because your husband is guilty in your eyes.
Then, turning toward Ihe unhappy logger,
he continued:
"Explain well to your wife and your
daughter, and may you be happier than We
weren
"Henriette, you hear what the judge says
What he says is true, dear. Your silence ap-
pears very strange to them, and naturally
they believe that Victoria tells the truth.
Now know that you could not have seen me
at the cottage and / have nothing to fear; SO,
my darling, since l am innocent, and you
could not have seen me, il you did see any.
body you should tell It, even in my interest.
So, Henriette, my wife, tell us what you
know"
Still no sound, no movement from Hen
riette, who seemed like one magnetized.
"Did you hear me, Henrettel"
She made an affirmative sign.
"Why then persist in this silence which "a
my condemnation"
Il have nothing to say"
"Henriettel Victoria's testimony Is precise
And your trouble. your pallor and your
strange manner betray you. And remem.
Der now that Suzanne was i'll the next day
and had commissions. o, my wifel if I have
ever deserved any kindness at your hands
have pity on me now and tell us what Won
saw"
mot having seen anything can certainly
tell you nothing"
~, Henriette, you accuse me! / am your
husband, and in spite Of my innocence, you
condemn mel"
What superhuman forse kept this poor
wife alive during these horrible moments
none can tell. TO speak was to prove him
guilty; to keep silent to accuse him. Again
Roger begged her by every endearing term to
tell him what she saw; he pleaded with tears
standing In his eyes, and recalling their eight
years OF life together, and asking her in what
had he offended her that she should thus in.
lure him. Her lips remained closed. but her
eyes said: Lies lies!"
He rose to Lis feet discouraged and walked
back and forth moment, and then stopping
before her said:
"Henrlette, you are condemning me. You
love me no longer, perhaps never did, but re-
member, whatever comes, that 1 love you,
and | shall love you as long as 1 live That
shall be your punishment and my revenge
have done all could, II. De Lignerolles."
The judge pointed with his finger to
Suzanne, who was seated on her mothers
lap. Roger understood. One last hope re-
manned
Il pray you. have my wife removed, said
Roger Henrietta arose and retired to the
ante room. Roger took the child in his
arms and lifted her above his head, smiling
"You don't love me any more, thenl" he
said to her as she looked at him with wild
hunted expression. Of her pretty dimples
and cunning little childish ways there re-
manned nothing. She looked like a woman
whom pain had long possessed. She was rosy
and white once, now her color was leaden
gray, and her forehead wrinkled.
"Why do you give me such pain, my little
5ird!" said Roger, kissing her between nearly
every word. Did I ever make you cryt
Have l not always been good papa to you
and done all could to make you happy
Was it then only because 1 brought you play
things that you loved me2"
The child seemed to not hear him.
Suzanne! my dear little girl, don't you
remember the night of your birthday, you
waited for me on the halcony7 Do you re-
member2"
eyes. father, I remember"
"Could you see across and into the little
cottage under the chestnut treei"
eyes, the neighbours house."
"Yes, dear, and now tell me what else YOU
saw. Answer, my baby. 1t is your father
who asks"
Il didn't see anything elsen
Suzanne, tell mo what you saw, for am
sure You saw something"
mo, mother and | saw nothing
"That is not true! have persuaded YOU
gently; now order you to tell me. Tell mel
80, father, you brighten mel"
'You were Oh the balcony. What did you
see therea You must have seen all. If YOU
do not tell 1 shall take you with me to prison
in dark place with all sorts Of horrid ami
mails to bite you. Speak! Come, speak,
sayl"
Father, have pity on me-pityw
"Why should pity you when you remain
80 obstinate and will not telli 1 do not love
you; you are not my child. LILY little girl would
not have treated her father SO. Suzanne,
know not how to make you break this cruel
silence"
Anger took possession Of him. He saw hi:
only hope Of liberty, life itself, fading away
from him. He suddenly seized his child and
shook her with violence, saying:
''Speak, speak, insist"
AT this instant Henriette rushed to his side
and took the child from his unresisting hands
and said in voice that none but him heard
Strike, then; kill us as you killed him!"
His uplifted hands fell softly upon those
two heads. and with one lingering caress and
one look of agonizing entreaty and super.
natural love, he sank unconscious OH the
floor; and when his wife and child were gone
it was but an inert mass they carried back to
the cell.
CHAPTER VII.
The case dragged on for several days, and