The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-03-25

girls who went with their arms around
each others waists, talking in low tones
Then, one evening, when lilacs perfumed
the air and the call to quadrilles was most
captivating. be crossed the threshold, and
from that time Jean Francois observed a
change, little by little, in his manners and
his visage. He became more frivolous
more extravagant He often borrowed
from his friend his scanty savings, and he
forgot to repay. Jean Francois, feeling
that he was abandoned, jealous and for
giving at the same time, suffered and was
silent. He felt that he had no right to
reproach him, but with the foresight OF
affection he INDUCED in cruel and inevita-
Bile presentiments.
One evening, as he was mounting the
stairs to his room absorbed in his
thoughts, he heard, as he was about to en-
ter, the sound OF angry voices, and he
recognized that of the old Auvergnat who
lodged with Savinien and himself. An
old habit OF suspicion made HIM stop at
the landing place and listen TO learn the
cause of the trouble.
Yes" said the Auvergnat angrily, al
am sure that some one has opened my
trunk and stolen from it the three louis
that had hidden in little box, and he
who has done this thing must he one of
the two companions who sleep here, ii il
were not the servant Maria. II concerns
Won as much as it does me. since you are
the master of the house, and | will drag
YOU TO the courts il YOU do not let me at
once break open the valises of the two
masons. My poor gold! 1t was here yes
terday in its place, and / will tell you Just
what it was, so that if we find it again no.
body can accuse me OF having lied. All.
know them, my three beautiful gold
pieces, and | can see them as plainly as
see you. One piece was more worn than
the others; it was of greenish gold, with
portrait of the great emperor The other
was great old fellow, with cue and
epaulets, and the third, which had on it
Philippe with whiskers, ] had marked
with my teeth. They don't trick me. Do
you know that l only wanted two more
like that to pay for my vineyard? Come,
search these fellows things with me or l
will call the police Hurry upw
"All right" said the voice OF the land
lord; Eve will 60 and search with Maria.
So much the worse for you if we find moth
ing and the masons get angry. You have
forced me to it."
Jean Francoiss soul was full of fright
He remembered the embarrassed circum-
stances and the small loans OF Savinien,
and how sober he had seemed for some
days. And vet he could not believe that
he was thief. He heard the Auvergnat
painting in his eager search, and he pressed
his closed fists against his breast as il to
still the furious beating OF his heart
Here they are :" suddenly shouted the
victorious miser "Here they are, nv
louis, my dear treasurer and in the Sun
day vest OF that little hypocrite OF Limou-
sin! Look. landlord, they are just as
told you. Here is the Napoleon, the man
with cue, and the Philippe that | have
bitten. See the dents? All, the little
beggar with the sanctiied air. / should
have much sooner suspected the other
All, the wretch Well. he must go 20 the
convict prison"
At this moment Jean Francois heard
the well-known step of Savinien coming
slowly up the stairs.
''He is going TO his destruction !" thought
he. "Three stories | have timer
And, pushing open the door, he entered
the room, pale a. death, where be saw the
landlord and the servant slupefied in q
corner, while the Auvengnat, ON his knees
in the disordered heap OF clothes, was
kissing the pieces of gold.
"Enougfssof this" he said. in a thick
voice; II took the money and put it in my
comrades trunk. But that is too bad /
am thief, but not a Judas. Call the po-
lice; | will not try TO escape, only / must
say a word to Savinien in private. Here
he is"
In fact, the little Limousin had Just ar
rived, and, seeing his crime discovered,
believing himself lost, he stood there, his
eyes fixed. his arm hanging.
Jean Francois seized him forcibly BY
the neck, rs if to embrace him; be put
his mouth close to Savinien's ear and said
to him in low. supplicating voice:
Keep quiet!'
Then, turning toward the others:
Leave me alone with him. | tell you
| won't go away. Lock us in if you wish.
but leave us alone"
With a commanding gesture he showed
them the door.
They went out.
Savinien, broken by grief, was sitting
on the bed. and lowered his eyes without
understanding anything.
Listen" said Jean Francois, who came
and took him by the hands. 81 under
stand You have stolen three gold pieces
to buy some trifles for a girl. That costs
six months in prison. But one only
comes out from there to go back again,
and you will become Pillar OF police
courts and tribunals | understand it,
have been seven years at the reform
school, a year at Sainte Pelagie, three
years at Poissv, five years at Toulon. Now,
don't be afraid Everything is arranged.
l have taken it on my shoulders"
at is dreadful" said Savinien; but
hope was springing up again in his cow
ardly heart.
"When the elder brother is under the
flag the younger one does not 60" replied
Jean Francois. II am your substitute,
that's all. You care for me little, do
you not? [ am paid. Don't be childish
don't refuse. They would have taken me
again one of these DAYS, for ! am a runa-
way from exile. And then. do You see,
that life will be less hard for me than for
YOU. | know it all, and / shall not com
plain if | have not done you this service
for nothing, and if you swear to me that
you will never do it again. Savinien,
have loved YOU well, and your
friendship has made me happy. 1t is
through it that, since have known you, |
have been honest and pure, as might al
ways have been, perhaps, if | had had,
like you, father TO put tool in my
hands. mother to teach me my prayers.
IL WAS my sole regret that | was useless to
you, and that l deceived you concerning
myself. Today have unmasked in saw
ing you. 1t is all right. Do not cry, and
embrace me, for already / hear heavy
boots on the stairs. They are coming
with the posse and we must not seem