The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-11-25

There was short pause, and then III
Gernenil said In . severe tone:
"In that case there Is nothing more to
be said But you had better 90 at once.
We are honest people here and have no
place for such as you. However," he
added. II cannot leave you to die OF
hunger and exposure, whatever may
have been your crimes. Take this purse.
1t contains sufficient to keep you from
present want"
She had listened to his words in ST.
lence with downcast eyes, but when he
offered her the purse red flush passed
over her wan cheeks as she replied with
an air of dignity;
mo, sir, l thank you, but l cannot
take your money. God, who knows the
truth, will provide for me-"
She turned away and moved slowly
toward the gate, but something in the
weary droop of her figure and her slow,
sad walk touched NJ. Germenils heart
as he looked after her. His conscience
pricked hiT. and he began to reproach
himself with having been too harsh with
poor creature who was entirely at his
mercy. And. after all, what harm could
1t do to any one to keep the poor thing
one night? In the morning he might
perhaps persuade her to tell him what
she now persisted in concealing. So he
hurried after her and insisted on her re-
naming, saying he had been too harsh
and sudden.
She was at first unwilling to remain,
but he insisted, and she finally consented,
much to his relief. He then forced tho
purse on her. which she had refused, say
ing she must take 1t as 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, WELL" he said. feeling strange
" interested in her. "At 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 common GEN.
ter, while Atropos with her shears looked
grimly on. She knew whose thread
would next be severed.
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
lainous 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 moment.
Pierre had shown them where they
were to sleep, and their practiced eyes
had taken in at q glance the relative
| positions Of the rooms, Remond ascer-
tanning by couple Of apparently
careless questions that they were likely
to have a 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 room
which opened of the large salon. They
would have no neighbors, said the gar
rulous Pierre, because M'sieu Charles,
who occupied q 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-
tine and M. Dumont, whom he found
finishing their last game of trictrac. 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 in the morning she
would explain all and not wishing to
prejudice any one against her.
Presently Margot herself brought in
the mulled wine which M. Dumont had
ordered. When they had partaken oft,
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 Rcmond 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 M. Pierre,
gallant homme. with whom he had the
greatest sympathy, and who indeed must
be fatigued after such busy day.
What could he and his friend do to as
sist M. Pierre-his friend who was also
at his seryicel
Oh. there was really nothing to be
done, explained Pierre, except to fetch
the wine, and that was nothing Well,
they would at least accompany him. He
would surely not refuse them that satis-
faction.