The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-05-30

known, he went direct to his apartment in
Rue Malesherbes. In that little apartment,
their winter residence, there were few
valuable works OF art, and Roger thought OF
selling them to assist him out of his difficulties.
He was arranging this plan when the con-
cierge came up with letter and package,
which he said beautiful lady had left there
for him few minutes ago.
One glance at the fine and delicate writing
showed him from whence it came, and the
letter bore the same perfume he knew SO well.
He made an angry movement, yet opened
the letter, which read:
lone who knows Of your trouble, and whom
you saved at another time, wishes to aid you
now in paying you back. You viii find in
the package 100000 francs. This is that
PERSONS revenge"
With a trembling hand he broke the seal Of
the package, and he found he was not dream
ing: the money was there. 1t was thus nobly
Julia revenged herself. Roger, in spite OF the
Joy at his deliverance, felt his fault weigh
still more heavily on his heart.
He burned the letter and put the money in
bis pocket and fastened to his shops, where he
gave the money to his cashier, and then with
his heart lightened of the heaviest part of its
load he tried anew to obtain the sc, 600 more
that were necessary for his next days obliga-
tons But nowhere cid he succeed. 1t seemed
to him that an evil breath had spread abroad
the report that he was about to fail. So, as
fast resource, when night FELL he went to the
club
There one player seemed to set himself dill.
gently to work to play against him. He did
not know him, yet there was faint idea in
his mind that he had seen him somewhere,
but he soon forgot that in the excitement of
play The only other thing that attracted
his attention was that his friend the Baron
De Cey, entering the room, came up behind
Luversan, for it was he, and tapped him on
the shoulder saying: "You, my dear
Roger?' But Luversan turned and the baron
saw his mistake and begged Luversans par
don, saying he had mistaken him for II.
Laroque
"You are quite excusable, sir. have been
taken for him before"
Roger won, and as soon as he saw that he
had gained what he SO needed, resolved not to
risk one franc of it, and he retired from the
game and took the train for home, and it was
this night that his wife had heard him singh
And the next morning he was arrested.
The morning after his arrest he was broughs
! before the judge. His reflections during this
night were not pleasant and he tortured his
brain as to how he could save himself without
betraying Julia; for it was impossible to tell
the truth. To avow that he had lent Julia
this money was to avow all; to dishonor her;
her unhappy and infrm husband was now
and forever incapable Of defending his honor.
Lucien, his friend, his brother; and Hen
riettel No; at the price of his life he would
not tell.
Now, questioned by the Judge on every and
all points, he could only say:
II am not guilty There Is fatality
against me. ] can explain nothing more, as
have already told you all know. AS to
the money 1 received, l can say nothing
You must believe what you will"
II admit for the moment the existence of
that mysterious debtor, but how is it that
Larouette's money comes into his possession3
One of you two, then, must be the assassin,
and il you would not pass as his accomplish
beg you 10 tell hS name"
The insinuation of the judge struck Roger
like the lash of whip. Was Julia the assas-
sini But that idea appeared so absurd to
him that be did not entertain it minute.
And yet she bad said to him that last days
"If ever you have misfortune remember
shall have had hand in it."
AMY debtor could not have done such
thing any more than l, and it does not con-
Germ you what the name is 1 have alw avs
and shall always refuse to give it."
"You destroy yourself"
"That is between me and my conscience
"There is another proof, CT which we have
not heretofore spoken, irrefutable, terrible
and painful above all others"
"Tell it to me- Perha. I can refute that
easier than can the Others"
"You were seen at the time YOU entered
Larouette's house, an instant before the muir
der"
"Who saw thatg"
1.-TWO witnesses; woman and a little
girl"
"a woman and a little girl! Bring them
then," said Roger, laughing, as if feeling re-
heved. Let them see me and then say if
they saw me commit this crime"
you shall see them in few moments, I"
said the judge.
"At last see one ray of hope" said Roger,
as they led him back to his cell
Bring III Nine. Leroque alone" said the
judge.
These two unhappy creatures, Henriette
and Suzanne, had been ordered to present
themselves at Versailles, and with all their
remnant of strength they braced themselves
for this new ordeal. Suzanne said: "Do not
fear, mother; shall remember"
When Henriette appeared before M Lig-
nerolles, the judge, she seemed to not have
one drop OF blood left in her whole body.
Her beautiful eyes were sunken, and at
times she made gestures 80 wild that one
might have thought her mad A chair was
given her and she sank feebly into it.
My mission is a painful one, madame
You must know its motive; still, 1 shall not
recomlnence the terrible interrogatory that
you have borne already from NJ Lacroix and
OF which he has furnished me the notes"
"You could, then, have spared me this, as
can do nothing but repeat that word for
word"
mo, madame; for your sake, for your hus
bands sake,-I hope that your answers will be
more precise, for your refusal to explain
yourself regarding the murder of Larouette
is the condemnation of Laroque Tell me
that you did not recognize your husband as
the assassin and give me the real murderer's
description, but do not maintain that YOU
were not witness of the crime"
=" at is true, however," said the unhappy
woman in her heroic obstinacy.
Victoria was brought in and made to re-
peat all she knew. Poor Henriette tried to
wear look OF surprise, but her face BETRAYED
her.
"This girl" said she, "has too lively I'M
agination, and it is troubled by reading too
many novels Her story is tissue of ex-
travagant inventions. Neither my daughter
nor myself said the words she tells you. If
we had called Roger from the balcony he
would have answered us, seeing himself
discovered, and would not have gone into our
neIghbois house. All that, therefore, is un-
reasonable"
"All that is unhappily true, madame" said
Victoria.
Nv hat have l done to you, my poor girl.
That Ill