The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1890-03-07

il.l no sorang forward and took hold OF
tleIra arms an sioo: them. He hurt them,
ponr man. without knowing it.
"Yol saw me-you two they pretend.
You hear them tell me that you accuse me,
that you saw me. Speakl Prottstl Rise
and tell that man who accuses mo that he
has lid about it, that it is not, coul not,
he tru that you couil not have seen Roger
Larque commit n crime of which he is in
camb.u.".
lacy could not speak Hc still grasped
their arms and begged them to deny this
foul charge. At last lIenriette rose from
her chair, and with difficulty stood before
him.
"iIenriettc, Suzanne, what ails youi Arc
you sick? What have they done to you that
yon cannot speakl"
"lto;,er," said Henriette, painfully, M De
Lisnerolles is wrong to tell you that we were
witnesses to murder. For three days they
have pursued us, Suzanne and me, to force
Us to avow what wo have not seen. l have
but to repeat to you, in my own name and
that Of my chill, what we have already said
many times. We know nothing of how that
murder was committed, ami we do not know
why they dare accuse you"
"Ah, that relieves me. You have spoken.
1t is impossible that you could have seen me,
since was not there, but for an Instant
was frightened of know not what" Then,
turning to the judge, he cried:
"Why did you bring my wife and child
bere, telling me that they were witnessesi
You go beyond your power rs judge. You
have just told me falsehood, wuich my wife
has proved to be one. The law, perhaps.
justifcs such deviations from truth, but do
not"
The magistrate answered gently, for he
pitled that poor mother and child:
ut is proven that they saw you"
"Proved" said Laroque, Gained by q SUI
prcme effort "Heniiette, you hear. l can
say nothing. What do you say?'
"That cannot be, since / understand moth
ing of what they ask Of me-"
Victoria was recalled, and the poor servant
repeated word for word what she had said
before, emitting nothing. Roger listened
treathless. bis nerves strung to their highest
tension, and trying to comprehend. Then lie
rose with haggard eyes and stretched out his
hand, saying:
"Take care of-me feel am going madl'
After long silence he seemed to under
stand, little by little. Now ne knew Hem
riette and Suzanne had seen, but what? They
had refused to speak. Why! He must know.
Roger threw himself OH his knees before his
wife, took her hands md caressed them, and
then, as though ho would have spoken to a
child, he said:
"rell the truth. Is it true that you saw
mel You denied it, did you not9 Up
to tho last minute you say that you did
did not see that murder committed, and SUI
zannc said the same They questioned you
i'll vain. But now, my dear wife, and you,
my little daughter, must tell all. Do not be
afraid, since am not guilty, to tell all you
know. They accuse Inc, but perhaps your
testimony will prove my innocence"
He held his wife's and child's hands oil
gathered in his an he kissed them all to-
gcther. Mother and child, with pale faces,
kept silence.
The magistrate interviewed.
81 brought you into tho presence of your
husband" said he, because l hope still that
you will listen to his prayers and understand
that you had better tell all you saw, no mat
ter what it was, for his sake, than to keep this
strange silence. Your husband will tell you
palmer than / 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
gravcst charge hangs over your husbands
head Therefore, if you refuse 70 speak it is
because your husband is guilty in your eyes, y
Then, turning toward the unhappy Roger,
he continuous
Explain well to your wife and your
daughter, and may you he happier than we
were"
"Hem'iette, you hear hat the judge says
What he says is true, dear. Your silence up
pears very strange to them, and naturally
they believe that Victoria tells the truth
Now know that you could not have seen me
ut the cottage and have nothing to fear; So
my darling, since / am innocent, and you
could not have seen me, if you did see any
body you should tell it, even in my interest
So, Henriette, my wife, tell us what you
know"
Still 10 sound, no movement from Hen
riette, who seemed like one magnetized
"Did you hear me, Henriette"
She made an affirmative sign
"Why then persist in this silence, which i.
my condemnation"
II have nothing TO say"
"Henriette Victorias testimony is precise
And your trouble, your palor and your
strange manner betray you. And l remem
Der now that Suzanne was i'll the next day
and had commissions. O., my wife! if have
ever deserved any kindness at your hand.
have pity on Inc now and tell us what YOU
SAW
'Not having seen anything can certainly
tell you nothing"
80, Heuriette, you accuse me! am YOU
husband, and in spite Of my innocence, you
condemn mel"
What superhuman force kept this pool
wife alive during these horrible moments
none can tell. To speak was to prove hin
guilty; to keep silent to accuse him. Agar
} Roger begged her by every endearipg term tt
tell him what she saw; no pleaded with tear.
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
jure him. Her lips remained closed, but heI
eyes said: lilies, lies!"
He rose to his feet discouraged and walked
back and forth moment and then stopping
before her said:
"Henriette, you are condemning me. You
love me no longer perhaps never did, but re
member, whatever comes, that I love you
and shall love You rs long as l live. Tha,
shall be your punishment and my revenge
have done all l could, M. De Lignerolles
The judge pointed with his finger II
Suzanne, who was seated on her mothers
lap Roger understood. One last hope re
NAMED