Waterbury evening Democrat., 1893-12-18

,n eouiyalent for your strength. !"

an equivalent for your strength"
 NJ Dumont had paused q moment and laid his hand on his friends shoulder as he spoke these last words, and as they stood thus Charles came out of the house and approached them quickly.
 Father" said he. think it will be bet ter that should go myself with Picard" !"
 "You?" said Dumont. Why should you go?'
 We'll" answered the young man, flor one reason Picard is so frightened at the idea of going through the forest alone that am afraid to trust him lest he should cause a further delay. Be sides that, am so anxious and impatient that would wish to go with him-if it were only that then the time will seem to pass more quickly than if I remained here imagining everything that could possibly happen to delay him. It will be night. 1 can be of no use here, and l am quite sure we will get back more quickly i: go than if we send Picard alone"
 Perhaps he is right" said M. Ger menil
 But what does Clementine say" ob- served NJ. Dumont. We must consult her wishes in this matter. If she con sentS to your going, have nothing to say against it. but of course if she ob- jects"-
 Oh" cried Charles, interrupting him, "Clcmentiue is quite of my opinion. She has as little confidence in Picard's speedy return as l have. Is not that so, dear Clemcntinr:" he went on, addressing the young girl who had come out of the house and joined them just as Charles was speaking.
 Tt is Charles" she replied. You know" she went on, addressing the two old men, Charles is brave and strong, not like that cowardly little Picard, and then he will lose no time, because-hc cause"-Shc added with q little bluSh-"1 will be waiting for him at the end of his journey
 This last argument carried the day, NJ. Dumont gallantly renarking that with such an object in view he thought even Picard would forget his fears.
 So it was decided that Charles should accompany the little clerk to St. Mau- rice.
 The carriole is ready, NJ. Charles" :" said Pierre. coming toward them. It is waiting at the back gate, as I thought that would save you bit of round. If you follow the lane round by the corner of the marsh, it will bring you into the high road to St. Maurice in half the time"
 All right. Pierre: that's ! good idea of yours"
 Before you go. M. Charles, will you please 10 tell me how I am to distribute tine rooms tonight"
 An" said Charles. Il was forgetting my duties. Give Mile. Clemcntine the room at the end of the corridor and put NJ. Gerncnil i'll No. 13.'
 And the poor woman yondcr-where is she to go:" inquired Pierre.
 Let ne see. Gou had better put her in the small room near M. Gcrmcnil's."
 "Bitn n'sieu, No. $, and in case any travellers should arrive and want rooms, where shall put them:'
 Oh. Ifany one should come. which is not likely, put them in the rooms on the entrc sol, so that our friends may not be i'll any way disturbed. And now must be off, ," he went on. There is no time 10 lose. We have long road be fore Us. Come. father, you'll see me off lNN's N4l- ilstNl 'tll4ItSl IOA -OlNNil 41tl ', Pierre" he said, taking a bunch of keys out of his pocket, you had better keep ' ,Se in case of need. They all num- orrri should you want to open any of the empty rooms.'
 "Bien m'Sieu." said Pierre. taking the keys.
 Charles then drew Clementinc's arm through his own, and the four proceeded to the back gate, where the carriole was waiting with Picard already in his place and looking much better pleased than when he thought he should have to go alone. Of course there were some friend ly jests at his expense, which he took in very good part. Feeling quite in good humor now he had a companion. and a companion, too. who knew so well how to use in case of need the pair of pistols which Pierre had put in the pocket of the carriole.
 50 you are afraid of Robert Macaire, Picard: said M. Gtrmenil, looking round first to make sure that Clementine was not within earshot. T thought you had more sense.
 An! M. Dulnont, you're laughing at me now. but one never knows what may LttI'kCLLs NtoI Illlk4CNu u Htt4 dlIlNt tplt- jours.'
 Such thing as robbery is unheard of ill this part of the world" said M. Dumunt, and if Macaire did escape from prison l make no doubt the gen. darmcs have caught him long ere this. Come, Charles" he cried to the young man, who had fingered few paces be hind with Ccmentine and was deeply cngrosScd in bidding her goodby, it i> time to be of if you are going, and the mare Is so impatient 10 start that she will go without you if you don't hurry
 Thus aroused from their dream the young people came up.
 \ hearty good night to his father and NJ. Germcnil, last kiss to Clcmentinc and Charles, jumping lightly into the carriolc, took whip and rcins, and bid ding the man let go her head was off like q sKOt and very soon out of sight.