The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1893-11-29

to himself, and hurried down Just in
time to stop poor Marie's intended fight
"Well," he said, looking at her with a
suspicious expression, ''Id like to know
what is the meaning of this manege. l
thought you had promised M. Germenil
not to leave till he had spoken with you
again."
Poor Marie, quite abashed at his look
and manner. stammered a confused re.
ply:
I-I-was not going away" she said
Il was-only-going to get little fresh
air."
Pierre grunted incredulously.
Fresh air, indeed! People don't steal
out of honest folks houses at this hour
of the morning before any ones up for
nothing. The patron will get finely
taken in one of these days, giving shelter
to a 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 her eyes, she pulled out with it
the purse which M. Germenil had given
her the previous evening" 1t 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.
"Tiensr' 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!'
at is mine, indeed" sobbed the poor
creature, land honestly come by. M.
Germenil gave it to me last night"
IN. Germenil gave it to your" said
Pierre, amazed and incredulous. "Well,
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 br:stled 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 hitch in his plans.
He seemed, however, very well pleased
with what he heard and re-entered the
room with quite a 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 monentary 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 sc
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 a discovery was
made of the murder. That accomplished,
they were safe. There could be no doubt
as to the res1llt-every circumstance
pointed to her guilt. She would he fol
lowed, arrested, brought back, and they
would talra thni1. OnnO1.t111litv Of o1,int Y