The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1893-11-15

malnlnS, saying lie mao Doon LOO nafSn
and sudden.
She was at first unwilling to remain.
but he insisted, and she finally consented,
much to his relief. He then forced the
purse On her, which she had refused, say
ing she must take it as a sign of his in
terest in her fate, adding that perhaps
she would think better Of it by morning
and give him some further explanation.
"'La mutt porte conseil, you know"
But she shook her head at this, with the
same expression of sad resolve. and
while thanking him for his great good
ness to her and the proof of confidence
he had given her still persisted in her
refusal
"Well, WE'LL" he said, feeling strange
ly interested in her. CAT least, you will
not leave tomorrow until | have spoken
with you again?' which she promised
him.
So Marie remained at Les Bons Amis.
Thus Lachesis and Clothes spun these
varied threads Of life to a common CEN
ter, while Atropos with her shears looked
grimly on. She knew whose thread
WOulu u0AG U0 SSV0T0u.
In the meanwhile the strangers had
been improving their acquaintance with
Pierre and watching an opportunity of
getting access to the bunch of keys on
which the successful issue of their viii
famous project depended. In the midst
Of all his jests and songs Remond never
lost sight Of his purpose, and his schem
ing brain never rested for a moment.
Pierre had shown them where they
were to sleep, and their practiced eyes
had taken in at glance the relative
positions of the rooms, Re1nond ascer-
tanning by a couple of apparently
careless questions that they were likely
to have clear field for their operations,
since those Of the servants who slept in
the house had their rooms in the man
sarde, while M. Dumont slept in q room
which opened off the large salon. They
would have no neighbors, said the gar
rulous Pierre, because M'sien Charles,
who occupied a room next theirs WAS,
as they knew, gone to st. Maurice and
would not be back till morning. Upon
which Remond observed, with an indie
scribable leer at his confederate, that he
wished the young man had not gone, as
he was of sociable disposition and liked
company
Having deposited their bundles in their
room. they followed Pierre down stairs
again.
M. Germenil had rejoined Clemen-
the and NJ Dumont, whom he found
finishing their last game Of tictrac. He
said nothing about his interview with
the poor woman to whom they had given
shelter, beyond that he had arranged to
see her before she left in the morning,
still believing that i'll the morning she
would explain all and not wishing to
prejudice any one against her.
Presently Margot herself brought in
the mulled wine which nj. DumOnt had
ordered When they had partaken of it,
they went to their respective rooms aft
er exchanging affectionate good nights.
Meanwhile, Pierre, having seen that
the poor woman was safe in her room
and the front door locked, took basket,
saying he must get some wine out for
the morning and lock the cave.
At this Remond pricked up his ears
and thought to himself that his oppor-
tunity was now come to get possession
of the much desired key
He at once professed himself anxious
to be of use to his dear friend III. Pierre.
greatest sympathy, and who indeed must