The times., 1890-03-28
ROGER LAROQUE.
Adapted and Translated from tho French
of Jules Mary.
BY OLIVE HARFEl.
CHAPTER XII.

bis daughter at the White House were very
busy, but socn Suzanne began TO have n little
more time, which she occupied in riding about
the pleasant neighborhood, sketching apd
gathering the wild flowers and ferns that
that grew so bountifully in every direction
One morning she started early with her
sketching implements to visit an old abbey,
which bad many historic recollections, and
reached there about s O'clock, and gave her
horse in charge OF the guard, who had little
cottage near by. This abbey was considered
fine piece of architecture and was kept in
repair by the care of Baroness Nathaniel
De Rothschild, to whom it belonged
Suzanne went to work diligently ami
painted continually until about noon, trans.
ferring the scene to her canvass with much
effect. Then she suddenly discovered that
she was both hungry and thirsty. ~ will go
and get drink. Perhaps that is all l want,
after alln'
She returned to the keepers house, and
there the keepers wife, a buxom. handsome
young woman, offered Suzanne some lunch,
and as she sat at the snowy table young
man in hunters costume entered the door
with his gun and game bag, followed by a
magnificent hunting dog.
He bowed profoundly without speaking,
and the keepers wife pleasantly, if somewhat
awkwardly, presented him, saying:
'Mademoiselle, do not be afraid. This is a..
gentle youth, M. Pierre Dc Noirville, who has
permission to shoot in the park. He lives
near here with his mother and cider brother.
When he hunts he always comes here for his
lunch
Suzanne replied to his profound bow by
few words aud fastened her own lunch, that
he might have his, as she had no mind to sit
at table with him, although no was very
handsome, with something foreign in the
peculiar shape of his eyes and his complexion.
He looked moro like an Oriental than French.
Suzanne excused herself and returned to
her work, telling the keepers wife to have
her horse ready in an hour.
When sho went out Pierre followed ber
with his eyes, and he piled the good natured
Catharinc with questions as to tho beautiful
young Miss Forney, who did not act so
frightened as do all young French girls when
they happen to meet young man. He ad-
Inired her sweet but sober dignity and her
evident self possession, ,>and in fact he waxod
exceedingly enthusiastic. Pierre fingered
long over his omelet and fresh bread, coffee
and cream cheese, in hopes Of seeing the
young lady again, but at last with heavy
sigh took his departure.
Suzanne worked until she had finished what
she wished to do and then returned to the
cottage, and giving Catharine her implements
and half finished sketch said: II shall be
here early tomorrow morning, and try to
finish it," and then she rode off rapidly. At
The moment she was about to leave the park
she made gesture of vexation and annoy
ance as she saw Pierre De Noirville standing
immovable as statue and gazing at her with
earnest admiration.
Then Pierre, angry with himself, turned
abruptly and shamefaccdly toward his home,
the Meridon farm. which was to be seen from
the gate of the park.
Meridon farm was situated at about six
miles from the White House and consisted OF
200 or 800 acres, through which ran the
Yvette river, and here lived Julia De Noir-
vile with her two sons, Raymond and Pierre
This farm was all that they had to depend
upon, for Lucien's death left them but lily
provided for. until Lucien's uncle had died,
bequeathing this property to the two
brothers. Pierre managed the farm whilo
Raymond was preparing himself for the law
in Paris.
Julia had greatly changed during these ten
years which followed the condemnation for
life to the man she loved and the death of her
husband. Remorse had aged her, and. al
withered and had the appearance Of an old
woman. There was not day passed nor a
night in which she did not seem to see two
phantoms-the ono whom she had sent to a
prison and death, the other her good and gen.
tie husband, dead in his friends defense.
Her life since then had been one poignant
regret. Had it not been for her two sons she
would certainly have divulged her part in
this horrible crime; but to clear Rogers
name she must blight those of her two sons.
And she thought Roger was dead, as no was
reported TO have been killed in eis attempt at
escape.
Raymond was 90 years old and Pierre "a.
Raymond was small, pale and of nervous
temperament, with his fathers soulful oyes;
while Pierre was large, robust and dark.
Both were handsome.
Though living in Paris Raymond came
often to the farm, always Sundays, and as
often os his duties and studies permitted him
during the week.
Tho two brothers loved their mother ten.
derly, and respected her habitual sadness as
the natural result of the loss OF her husband
in so tragic a manner. They believed that
she could never be consoled for that breave-
ment
That evening Raymond returned from
IaTlS, anu seeing the game DaS ne TcIiaTkeu
&c Pierre:
"lf it is pleasant tomorrow will hunt with
you"
Pierre did not answer. If Raymond had
noticed his brothers face then he would have
seen look Of annoyance pass over it.
The next morning the sun shone bright and
the two brothers went out with their guns,
and for long time kept together, as they had
but one dog, but at last Raymond found him.
self alone, and as he was little tired he de-
cided to 60 on to the keepers cottage and
wait there Tor Pierre, who would be sure to
come there for his lunch. But as he passed
along by the ruins he noticed outlined against
the sky the figure Of a beautiful young girl
standing on u wall. which was so old that it
was wonder 1t had stood so long.
He was so surprised by this unexpected
vision that he forgot where he was or that he
held O gun In his hand, when the dog saw
pheasant and made O movement which threw
the butt of Raymonds gun backward against
tree, and there was sharp report, followed
by rushing, crumbling uoise aud wonian's
piercing cry for help.
The young girl on The wall had sprung as