Waterbury evening Democrat., 1893-12-22

w Al swers of Marie, who sat trembling be- fore him with downcast eyes.
 "Your names" he asked.
 "Marie Beaumont" she replied in nl- most inaudible tones.
 Roger was about to continue his inter rogatory when an unexpected interrup- tion occurred. On the mention of this name NJ. Dumont and Charles exchanged startled looks, and the former eagerly asked, Marie Beaumont did you say your name was?'
 Marie Beaumont"
 The answer in the affirmative was given with such hesitation that it led to further questions. and after awhile she admitted that she had had child-a son-which she had been obliged to aban- don immediately after its birth. ''You were then under the suspicion of theft" said M. Dumont, ''and was on your way to Grenoble in charge of tho gendarmes, when you escaped, and"- "Who arc you?' she cried wildly-for in the white haired, clean shaven old man she did not recognize the sorrowa ing, unshaven stranger who had taken her child-'who knows all this and speaks to me of my child? If you know Rught of him, tell me if he still lives"
 He does" answered N. Dumont, re- straining Charles, who was on the point of speaking, while Marie thanked heav- en fervently for having spared her child, even though she might never see him. She had, she said, deprived her self of the consolation of keeping him with her and abandoned him to stran- gers. and she would not now darken his young life with the shadow of guilt which hung over her own. Though I was innocent then, as am now" she said. of the crime of which I have been accused. But, alas." she add ed in pathetic tones, unable to prove it now as then. I am condemned to wear out my weary life friendless and l alone"
 Deeply moved. M. Dumont turned away to hide his emotion, while Charles, who could no longer restrain himself, | sprang forward, and to the utter amaze ment of those present clasped her in his arms, crying: No, no; not any longer | friendless and alone Mother, you have Q son!'
 My son! My son! An, God be praised and you, too. to find my son in you, who, when l was nothing to you but a misera- ble. guilty stranger. were kind and pitt i ful to me. But" she added, turning to | M. Dumont, "is this true? Is this really l true:"
 1 M. Dumont explained that it was quite 1 true; that he was the stranger she had seen take the child from before the shrine, where she had laid it.
 i This explanation was listened to with many eXclaI0 ations of wonder from those around, on whom this extraordinary reve- lation had come like thunderclap.
 Truly" said the cure, until then si- lent. ''inscrutable are the ways of Provi- dencc. Be of good heart. my friends. All will soon be made straight. The in noccnt will be cleared and the guilty ! brought to justice.
 There were two persons among those present who did not by any means de sire the fulfillment of thls prediction. In fact, Remond had for some little time been feeling anxious as to the success of his plans. He had not calculated on their being so long detained, and he knew very well that every minute added to the risk of their detection. He knew the gcndarmeS were looking for him and his companion. and that if their identity with the fugitives from the prison at Lyons were once established the burden of suspicion would inevitably be trans ferred from Marie to them. Once ar rested, it would be impossible for them to clear themselves. They carried damn ing proofs of their guilt upon them in the shape of the stolen notes-which would certainly be found-as their clothes were sure to be searched by the gendarmes.
 He felt anything but well disposed to- ward Charles. whom he now regarded as a fresh stumbling block in his way, and on whom he cast very ugly look as he inStinctively put his hand on his knife. Yes. if it suited him, he would show as little consideration for the sor as for tho mother.
 All this passed rapidly through hi: brain, while the attention of those pres ent was all directed to Charles and hi: mother. He explained to his companion that they had better seize the opportu nifty of endeavoring to get away.