The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1890-03-14


perhaps YOU will not feel so sure of yourself"
Lucien smiled: "He is no more guilty than
am. There are certainly some singular things,
for instance, the money which was marked,
etc. but Roger ayers it was in payment OF
n loan, but he refuses to name the person.
What Inc will not tell the justice he will tell
me. NV opinion is that there Is woman In
this affair, somewhere. When i shall have
learned his secret shall know how TO defend
him, and his secret l must have"
Her throat frightened, and she clasped her
hands together mechanically and felt that she
must faint. The next day Lucien, on his
crutches, went painfully up the long staircase
at the court OF Versailles.
Roger, after the examination already ex-
planned, had remained in condition or COM
plete prostration. Ho had hoped until the
last minute for he said to himself: "They DO
not condemn innocent men, and ono day they
will discover the assassin" But the days
passed, and every one brought against him
some new proof of guilt, and, most poignant
grief Of all, his wife and child were lost to
him, for it was only too evident to him that
they believed him guilty
He lay stretched ON his bed, not asleep, but
worn and weary, when jailer came and
called him rudely and opened the door to let
Lucien come in, and, overpowered with
emotion, he almost fell, and Roger received
the poor manned man in his arms.
"Ah, Lucen, then you believe me limo
cent?'
"Of course do. know you are and hope
to prove it. Did you think for a moment
was going to let another lawyer undertake
your case? What is the matters You do not
look pleased. What makes you look at me
with that wild airg'
Roger drew back, ashamed, overwhelmed
at the thought that this noble man had come
forward, and believed him when no one else
would, and offered to defend him, whom
more than any one else in the world Roger
had wronged. 1t was too much. Roger wept
bitterly.
Lucien said, laughingly, "Have done with
such childishness, my brother in arms and
heart. know that it is very annoying, and
that it causes you profound grief and trouble;
but since you are innocent and am here to
defend you, it will soon be over"
81 wept, Lucien, because l cannot accept
your help, and because your devotion touches
me So"
"How ridiculously you talk, Rogerl But l
am here to serve you, and not to hear conf
pliments. Now tell me why don't you want
mo for lawyerw
81 cannot" said the poor man, and think
ing again of suicide, what to do, what
way out of this new phase of his sufferings.
AT last he decided.
"Lucien, do you know the proofs they have
against me? You must have seen that they
are extremely grave. Don't deceive yourself,
Lncien; they will condemn me; they cannot
do otherwise. and you will fail. l shall not
retain lawyer. They can give me one or
not, as they choose"
@That is one of your reasonsW
Eyes"
off that is all we will talk of other things.
Roger shook his head. He did not know
what to say. There was but one thing clear
in his mind, and that was that he could not
permit Lucien to defend him. The lawyer
took one Of the prisoners hands in his own.
He read that there were combats in that sur
fering soul, but could not divine the cause.
"You do not understand me- then, Lucien.
am obliged at last to avow the truth. did
kill LarouetteW
"Are you crazyp
at is the truth, and l do not wish you to
defend me, Lucien, for l do not wish to be
saved, and am not worthy of your defense. u
$50 you admit that you are the assassin!
And all these reproaches, these tears and
groans, these denials before the judgep
"Comedy! To make them believe me inno-
cent?
"Well, then, you authorize me to tell Nj. De
Lignerolles, so that when the case comes on
we can plead guilty and throw ourselves on
the mercy of the court. Is that it?""
Roger made sign of assent.
"Now, Roger, you know very well that
don't believe ono word OF that"
This was too much for Roger, this proof Of
grand affection, and he gave up utterly all
attempt at subterfuge. But this strange OBJ
stinacy had given birth to an underlined sus-
pcion in tho mind of Lucien; more all I'M
easiness than suspicion, but like the unreal
sonable fear of q coming trouble. Later that
scene came into his mind.
snow, since you have done with childish
ness, / wish you to answer my questions. All
that you have said to the three magistrates is
true, is it notl You have omitted nothing,
added nothingw
Nothing, l assure you"
Lucien then questioned him infinitely upon
the whole affair from beginning to end, and
he noted down such few facts as he thought
might help him. After all that had been
written he said:
"Now, the next question is, from whom did
you receive those hottest This you must
tell me-"
''Do not insist, Lucien. That I cannot tell
you"
"Whyg
"Honor forbids."
Rogers head dropped. Lucien kept silence
moment, but he watched Roger closely, and
then with nervous laugh exclaimed:
ct will bet you that I know"
Roger shuddered. "Lucien your gayety
hurts me-"
''Divide your secret with me and will
weep with you, il you wish. Only last night
I was talking with Julia and told her was
sure there was woman in this"
"My God! My Godp murmered Roger, a
prey to the most inexpressible gloom.
"a married woman, doubtless said Lu-
Glen, continuing his torturing questions.
am disappointed in you, Roger, but must
pardon. But tell me who she is and I will
60 to her secretly and find out what she
knows of whence the money came"
aHave mercy, Lucien."
"Roger, must think not only of you, but
of Henrietta and Suzanne SO, it being q mar
ried woman, you fear the husbands anger
will fall on her and the dishonor for all par
ties. 1t is always so, sooner or later, in these
matters. Wero you friend to this woman's