The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-05-16

Hcnr cite did not tceep.
HYou must suGsr greatly, and I pity you
from the bottom of my hesrt," said Lacroix
gently.
Il do not need or want your pity. The
whole past life Of my husband proves bis in
nocence. An honest man does not become a
murderer from one day to another without
motiveA You can accuse him, errest him,
try him in the coxrts of justice, but he will
pass through all with clear name. But it
pains me to think of all this unmerited
trouble"
Assassin without motivesf Do you know
anything about your husbands business,
madamea' With this he placed before her
the accusing letters. She read them ns in q
dream, and she understood all, but she said
no word, though she could not suppress a
gesture OF horror.
"Now, madame, shall be obliged, even in
spite of my own wish, to interrogate your
little girl. We will go to your house, as she
is too i'll to come here"
N. Lacroix accompanied Henriette to the
villa and went with her to the parlor.
$50, then, you wish to speak with Suzannei
You wish to question her, although tell
you she is sickT
She bent her head discouraged, and walked
slowly to her bed room. Suzanne was there
and sprang TO her mothe1's arms, and as she
kissed her Henrietta whispered in her ear,
Remember" They then returned to the
room, and Henriette said:
"Go, my child, to this gentleman and
answer whatever he asks you"
Suzanne advanced timidly and placed her,
self between the knees OF n LacroiX, who
put his arm around her and kissed her fore
head kindly "She has her lesson and will
cay nothing" thought he. Gently he spoke
putting lis hand beneath the little chin So as
to lock full into the lovely eyes Of the child'
$40 you remember what you did night be-
fore last, little onea"
She reflected moment, and then answered
In firm, clear voice:
"Why, yes, sir. I played in the garden,
and watered my flowers, and L made big
bouquet Of roses for the dinner table, and
then I played with my new big doll, which
mamma gave me that morning because l was
seven years old that day. And then l helped
mamma, and we made my doll a lovely blue
satin dress, and we put it on, and we made
her hat just like it. That was all, think ]"
"But in the svening-after the lamps were
hghtedf"
II did nothing. I staid by mamma, who
was teaching me verse to say to papa; but
did not say it until the next morning, because
papa did not come home until was liz bed"
"You forget many things"
"That may be; don't know"
GDo YOU know how late it was when you
went to bed4"
u do not know. Perhaps mamma could
tell you"
"When you were on the balcony what did
you see in the streetf'
"Nothing."
ibid you not see man, the very one you
were waiting for. your fathera Did you not
see him 20 into your neighbours housef Did
you not call him, and then say: Look, there
goes papa into the neighbours house. and an
instant after heard pistol shot, which must
have frightened youi Now, tell me the truth,
my child"
aNo. sir: and I do not know what you
mean" And the courageous child looked al
her mother with an infinite tenderness.
Henriette was seated near the window, where
she could sec Suzanne without being seen oy
Laeroi1, who was vexed and huniiieted by
his lack of success with these two weak
creatures, who were still too strong for him.
Madame. ~ said Lacroix suddenly, Il would
be obliged to you if you would leave me alone
with this child few minutes. From your
room you can hear all we say"
Henrietta rose and walked feebly to he7
room, where she dropped, an inert mass, ON the
first chair. snow then, dear, listen to me-
In obstinately refusing to tell me what you
saw you are doing great harm to youi
father. Why will you not tell me all you saw
and heardi Who are you afraid off Did your
mother tell you to keep silenta 1t she did she
was wrong. l do not want to harm your
father, There are people, though, who pre-
tend that they saw him go night before ias'
into N. I.arouette's house to kill him and take
his money. You love your father. am sure
and want him 70 como back to you. Wei, u
thew urove that he went there he can never
como back, and perhaps they viii send Inn
avay to prison, and you will never SEQ him
again. Perhaps even they would do wores
than that 1t depends upon you whether nc
ever comes back or not. You saw the mar
who killed Larouette. II 1t was your father
do not tell me, but IL it was somebody else, DC
not be afraid to speak"
During this artfully arranged epeech the
Door ittls girl had tried to stifie her sobs
and now, almost bursting with restrained
grief. fear and terror, she sobbed brokenly:
81 don't now what you want OF me. can
not say what do not know, and kno"
nothing and saw nothing. What makes YOU
cause me such griefr
The tears chased each other down that palA
child,s face in veritable torrents, and she
stood before him without SO much as trying
to wipe them awaYs her little hands hanging