The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1893-11-09

to give some account Of herself. Will
speak to her at any rate. poor soul. and
see what she has to say"
At which point Of his meditations, hav-
ing finished his pipe he knocked the ashes
carefully out. and putting it into his
pocket advanced to the woman's side.
AS we have seen, she had risen from
her seat with the intention Of seeking her
benefactors. thanking them for their
goodness to her and then resuming her
journey Perceiving NJ. Germenil be-
side her as she turned. she made him a
deep courtesy
'Well,r he said kindly, II am afraid
we had forgotten you for the moment,
my good woman. But You have had
son1e dinner at any rate?'
Eyes. sir, thank your she replied.
We'll. he veat on. ''sit down again
want I, talk 10 you little.
She sat down in silence. trembling in
every limb and feeling sure that the
questions she tlreaded-to escape which
she had been about to fiy FROM the only
shelter she could hope forsthat night
were about to be asked her.
II have been thinking" he went on
that perhaps we might be able to do
something useful for you in the fay of
enabling you to gain decent livelihood,
as you seem anxious to do We are all
interested in your
Monsieur is very good!" she said in a
broken voice.
But of course it will be necessary
! that you should tell US little more
about yourself. We don't even know
your NAME"
MY name is Marie, monsieur"
''Well, Marie, you have not, Imagine
been always as poor as you now appear
to be or as friendless?"
s.'No. sir" she replied. My parents
were well to do people, who cultivated
their own land. We wanted for nothing
My youth was happy one, and my fu-
ture promised to be SO, too, but that
promise was not realized. Alas, sir, you
see before you one of those wretched be-
ings whom misfortune and misery seem
ever to pursued"
z ''Take courage, Marie" said NJ. Ger
menil compassionately. Better days are
no doubt il store for you, and you will
yet find recompense and consolation for
all your troubles"
''Oh. sir! oh, sirr' she cried, stirred out
of her usual reserve and self restraint by
his tone and look of compassion, ''there
could be no recompense, no consolation
for such trouble as mine. Father, moth
er, brother, child. friends, home, bereft
of all, a wanderer on the face of the
earth, but not guilty! Oh, not that! God,
who sees into all hearts, knows that
am Innocent"
''Innocentr' repeated M. Germenil.
'Have you then been falsely accused of
some crime? Speak, Marie; you have said
too much to stop there. You must ex-
plain those words"
She had risen to her feet in the excite
ment Of speaking and now sank down
again in an attitude Of utter despair.
saying in dull, hopeless tone:
II cannot! cannotl'
'You cannot!' he said in q tone Of
surprise. IF you are innocent, why
should you fear to speak? You can at
least tell me the circumstances under
which you were accused and leave me
to Judge. You will not find me harsh
judge, Marie"
By this time she had recovered her
composure and self control, and rising
to her feet again she turned her pale.
sad face toward him and said in a low,
resolute tone:
Il am grateful for your goodness, sir.
but can give no explanation"
There was short pause, and then M.
Germenil said in a severe tone:
''In that case there is nothing more to
be said. But you had better go 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
It contains sufficient to keep you from
present want" 4
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 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,
SD walk touched M. Germenil's heart
as he looked after her. His conscience
pricked him, 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
it 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,
b17% ho o,,l cI, oo~oor4o1