Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1893-08-24

She of course could not meet this new
suggestion with any sort of satisfactory
answer. She could only affirm again ana
again that she had been so overcome with
fatigue she had slept heavily, not awak-
ing till the sun was up, and that she had
heard nothing, absolutely nothing.
The brigadier listened incredulously-
her story seemed to him quite unworthy
of belief-and he said that there was no
use wasting further time. 1t was his
duty to arrest her and having taken
down her statement in writing he and
his men would convey her to the gem
darmie. where she would be detained
till further inquiries were made.
At this q CLEAN of triumph passed
over Remond's face. He was safe, at
any rate. That was all he cared for.
He felt no pity for the creature he
was so romorselessly sacrificing. No
memory of the love she had borne him.
no thought that she was the mother of
his child, caused him to falter for mo-
ment in his fell purpose. He would have
regarded such considerations had they
been suggested to him as mere pulling
sentimentalities. The man was long
dead III him. The predatory animal
Alone remained.
But wait--but wait. Retribution fol-
lows crime so surely as the day the
night
Though the mills Of God grindly slowly,
Yet they grind exceeding small.
And though with patience he stands waiting
Yet with cxactncss grinds he all.
He had long waited, but the wheels
rolled swiftly now.
The brigadier had arranged his papers
in order before him and now sat with
pen in hand ready to note down the an
swers of Marie. who sat trembling be-
fore him with downcast eyes.
Your name?" he asked.
marie Beaumont" she replied in al
most inaudible tones.
Roger was about TO continue his inter-
rogatory when an unexpected interrupt
ton occurred. On the mention of this
namo VI. Dumont and Charles exchanged
startled looks, and the former eagerly
asked. Marie Beaumont did you say
! your name was:'
Marie Beaumont
| given with such hesitation that it led to
further questions, and after awhile she
aulntUed that she had had a child "a
son-which she had been obliged to aban-
don immediately after its birth.
You We're then under the suspicion
of theft said NJ. Dumont, land was on
your way to Grenoble in charge of the
ScndarmeS, when you escaped, and
"NhO are you?' she cried wildly-for
in the white haired, clean shaver old
man she did not recognize the SORROW
ing, unshaven stranger who had taken
her child-"who knows all this and
speaks to me of my child: If you know
uught of him. tell me if he still lives"
He does answered NJ. Dumont, re-
Etraining Charles, who was on the point
of speaking. while Marie thanked heav-
en- fervently for having spared her
child, even though she n@ hit 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 darllen his
young life with the shadow of guilt
which hung over her own.
Though was innocent then, as I am
now" she said. "Of the crime of which
have been accused. But, alas" she add.
ed in pathetic tones, 'unable to prove
it now as then. | am condemned tC
wear ont my weary life friendless and
alone"
Deeply moved, NJ. 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 hi,
arms, crying: mo, no: not any Longer
friendless and alone. Mother, you have
q som"
My son. Ny son! All, God be praised
and you, TOO, to find my son in you, who
when was nothing to you but misera
BILE, guilty stranger We're kind and pitt
full to me. But" she added, turning t.
II. Dumont, lis this true: Is this really
true"
NJ. Dumont explained that it was quit
true; that he was the stranger she hat
seen take the child from before the shrine
where she had laid it,
This explanation was listened to Will
many ordinations of wonder from thos
around, on whom this extraordinary reve
lation had come like "A thunderclap.
Truly" said the cure, until then 81
lent, "inscrutable are the ways of Provi
: dence. Be of good heart, my friends
All will soon be made straight, The in
nocent will be cleared and the guilt,
! brought to justice"
There were two persons among thos
present who did not by any means de
sire the fulfillment of this prediction. Ii
: fact Remond had for some little tim
been feeling anxious as to the success o
his plans. He had not calculated OF
their being 50 long detained, and b
+ knew very we'll that every minute adde,
to the risk of'their detection. He knew
the gendarmes We're looking for him AM
5 his companion, and that if their identit
with the fugitives from the prison a
! Lyons were once established the burdel
of suspicion would inevitably be trans
J | farrad from Marie 40 them ifmca an