The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1893-09-14

or which slept peacefully too. There
was, however, one person awake; guilt
and innocence slept. but not despair and
misery.
Marie had been long up and dressed
and ready for the road, for her one de-
sire was TO get away unperceived--to
avoid the interview with NJ. Germenil.
the questions she knew he would ask
ker-and which she could not. would not
answer. The pain. the humiliation Of
appearing guilty in his eyes--as she felt
she inevitably must.
OF course she knew very well that in
going away thus-stealing secretly out
Of her benefactor's house like thief in
the night--she left herself open to the
imputation Of guilt, but at least she
would escape the pain of seeing her
sentence in their faces and hearing
1t in their notes.-the faces which
had looked on her so kindly and the
voices which had spoken to her so
gently few hours before. Poor soull
For many long year she had known
but little kindness. Truly her way Of
life had lain by thorny paths, and now
when refuge presented itself the grim
specter of the past babe her sternly to
be gone.
She had thought it all over with sore
heart and had made up her mind that
she must go. Her absence would be I'M
noticed in the hustle of the wedding
morning. and when it was discovered
she would be far ON her way. M. Ger
mepil's kindness had given her the means
OF living till she procured some work,
and when she was far away she would
write and thank her benefactors and
beg of them not to Judge of her too
harshly.
1t was little past o'clock when, tax.
ing her shoes in her hand, she stole softly
down stairs to the front door. She
reached the door safely. and putting on
her shoes she then proceeded to try to
open 1t.
She had almost accomplished her OBJ
ject when she was startled by feeling q
hand laid on her shoulder. She turned
round, speeches. with dismay and terror.
and saw Pierre standing beside her.
They were early folk at Les Bons Amis,
it is true, but this morning more SO than
usual. There was still a good deal to be
done so that all should be in order by
the time the wedding party arrived, and
Charles, who might arrive at any mo-
ment, as he was not likely to loiter IN
necessarily by the way, would be sure
to be hungry after drive of some hours
in the cold night air. st. Maurice was
full five leagues away, and he had prob
ably left there about 3 o'clock. All this
passed vaguely through Pierre's head as
he lay half asleep. half awake. But the
Ginning Of the quarter after aroused
him thoroughly to the exigencies of the
position. and getting ont Of bed he hus.
tied on his clothes anyhow" us he said
to himself and hurried down lust In
time to stop poor Marie's intended flight.
We'll, he said, looking at her with a
suspicious expression, "rd like to know
syhat is the meaning of this manege. |
thought you had promised NJ. Germenil
not to leave till he had spoken with you
AGAIN.
Poor Marie, quite abashed ut his look
and manner. stammered n confused re.
ply;
"l-l-was not going away" she said
Il was--only-going to get a little fresh
air.
Pierre grunted incredulously.
Fresh air, indeedl People don't steal
out of honest folks houses at this hour
of the morning before any ones ND for
nothing. The patron win get finely
taken in one of these days, giving shelter
to pack of lazy beggars who won't
work for their living as long as they can
contrive to get it for nothing"
These rough words were the last straw
to poor Marie's overweight feelings,
and she burst into tears. Taking her
handkerchief out of her pocket in order
to wipe 9es-sasa. she pulled out with it
the purse which NJ. Germs ~ -naa gwen
her the previous evening. It fell on the
floor with an unmistakable chink, and
Pierre stopped and picked it up, looking
from it to her and from her to it more
suspiciously than ever.
"Tiens" he said. "a purse full of gold!
1t seems you are not quite so poor then
as you would have us believe. I'd like
to know how you came by this."
lit is mine, indeed" sobbed the poor
creature, land honestly come by. NJ.
Germenil gave it TO me last night"
IN. Germenil gave it TO you:" said
Pierre, amazed and incredulous. We'll,
you can easily prove your honesty and
the truth of what you say by waiting
till he comes down."
Silently Marie followed him into the
sale and seated herself beside table
near the window, gazing wistfully out,
thinking how ready people generally
were to credit those IN misery with being
capable of all sorts of crimes. Pierre
meanwhile went about his morning
duties, grumbling to himself and casting
anything but friendly looks in her direc-
ton as he hustled in and out of the room.
The latter part of the conversation be-
tween Marie and Pierre had been over
heard by Remond, who. hearing the
sound of voices below, had come out Of
his room to listen. lest anything might
take place without his knowledge which
would cause a hitch in his plans.
He seemed, however, very well pleased
with what he heard and re-entered the
room with quite cheerful air, Bertrand
being still in bed. The sound Of Marie's
voice, which he had not before heard,
confirmed his suspicion of the previous
evening. when the momentary glance he
had had Of her face had so remarkably
affected him and so disturbed his usual
imperturbable self possession.
Nothing could have fitted in better
with his plan. Marie had already reused
suspicion by her attempt to get secretly
away and by her possession of the gold,
though apparently so poor. A damning
circumstance of which none knew so
well as he--she would be unable to give
any satisfactory explanation. The only
thing remaining to be done was to insure
her departure before discovery was
made of the murder. That accomplished.
they were safe. There could be no doubt
as to the result-every circumstance
pointed to her guilt She would be fol-
lowed. arrested, brought back, and they
would take their opportunity Of quietly