The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1893-12-07


III prison, Sne offspring of telon, anu
her great desire now was that her friend
ly guardian should not suffer on her ac-
count. It would be ruin to him if it
were found that his laxness had led to
her escape. So. at all costs, she must re-
turn Once there, she cared not how
soon she died Death indeed would be
q welcome deliverance from her misery
But death does not always come to those
who long for it.
Her absence had been discovered, and
men had been sent in different directions
to look for her, though indeed the SER
geant himself was half sorry to see her
return. His wife did all she could fo1
the poor creature, who was in pitiable
condition, worn ont with anguish both
of soul and body. Of course her hostess
discovered what mad happened. but
Marie refused to give any account of
what had befallen the infant to which
she had given birth except that it was
in place of safety. The worthy couple
decided to keep their own counsel on the
subject. An inquiry into the matter
would only have brought On her the sus-
picion of having made away with her
infant. and things were bad enough for
her as it was-and they were sorry for
her. poor soul!
1t was some days before she was in a
state to be moved. She was then taken
to Grenoble to be tried for stealing her
fathers money.
There fresh horror awaited her
Her husband. on making his escape,
had directed his steps back to Charmont-
sur-Pont, in pursuance of plan he had
matured while following the wagon.
He knew that the old man had a large
sum of money in the house besides that
which Marie had been accused of steal
ing. Of this he determined to get pos
session.
He had no fear about returning to the
farm-in fact, he thought he would be
safer there than anywhere else, as it
would be the last place where they would
think of seeking him. and as the money
was all in gold there would be no dan
ger of its leading to his detection.
Under cover Of the darkness he made
his way safely back to the farm and had
lurked round until all was quiet. His
knowledge of the house had enabled
him to effect an entrance without any
difficulty.
He had found the old man busy count
ing his money and putting it into bags
ready for some hiding place. had come
behind, stunned him, or, as it turned out.
killed him with blow on the head from
heavy iron bound sabot, and then made
off with his booty. The outrage was not
discovered till the morning. and then its
perpetrator was not to be found.
There were traces found, however,
which proved his guilt beyond doubt
among others the garments he had taken
from Marie in order to disguise himself,
and which he had left in one of the out
houses
These facts did not tend to improve
the position of the unhappy girl. who
was believed to be in collusion with and
screening her husband, with whose pre-
vious history she was accused of being
acquainted, the upshot of the business
penal servitude. This dreadful punish
ment the innocent woman had endured,
and since its termination had been q
wanderer on the face of the earth. home
less and wretched, flying from place to
place to avoid the danger of meeting her
villainous husband. He had pursued his
evil career for long time with impu-
nifty. but some time previously he had
been captured and proved guilty of the
crime Of which hewas accused. He had
been confined in the prison at Lyons, and
there she believed him to be until his
evil face had appeared before her that
morning.
Such was the story which Marie told
NJ. Dumont, telling him also what had
passed between herself and M. Germenil
when he gave her the money, and how it
was to avoid telling the sad story which
she had just related that she had wished
to leave that morning before he could
see her to renew his questions.
M. Dumont was deeply moved by the
story she told him and assured her of
his belief in her innocence, saying that
he felt convinced now that Macaire and
his confederate had murdered M. Ger
menil, and that they mustleave no stone
unturned to prove her innocence. He
agreed that there was no need that
Charles should know who his father was,
And he went on:
81 am sure that in keeping this knowl-
edge from him and letting his marriage
with Clementine go on will be best
carrying out the wishes Of my poor
friend. Before it takes place, however,
your innocence must be proved. Itwould
not matter so much did no one but our
selves know, but it is now indispensable
that you should.be cleared. C1ementine
knows nothing as yet, and we win keen
Last page