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

there will be no real delay In the we'd
dingw
True enough" said the other. "An
the same. shall be very glad when
Charles has taken charge Of his wife's
dot. ! don't like the responsibility Of
carrying about IL, 900 francs in notes, he
added, putting his hand to his breast
pocket and showing his friend the corner
of well stuffed pocketbook.
AS Remond, in the shadow, overheard
these words his eyes cleaned with the
rapacity of bird Of prey.
"Do You hearY he muttered. looking
significantly at his companion.
IL dol" said the other shortly, return
ing his look.
"Oh, you are quite safe in Les Bons
Amis," answered the CHEEKY voice Of M.
Dumont, clear aud distinct on the even
ing air. Nothing will happen to you
here. You are not thinking Of those bug
aboo stories our friend the maire told us
at dinner Of the achievements Of that vii
lain Robert Macaire?'
He would have spoken less confidently
perhaps could he have seen the express
sion which passed across the evil face of
his hidden and unknown guest as he ut
tered these words:
"Oh, no, Dumont, am not afraid OF
such imaginary dangers, and think, too
looking complacently at his stalwart
proportions-'I would be a match for
any robber. But" he added. II will be
glad to berelieved Of this responsibility"
"And l." said Remond to himself, with
an ugly smile, twill be happy to do you
that service. Perhaps my skill will prove
an equivalent for your strength"
M. Dumont had paused 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?"
"Well," answered the young man,
s'for 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 remained
here imagining everything that could
possibly happen to delay him. 1t will be
night. / can be of no use here, and an
quite sure we will get back more quickly
IL 60 than if we send Picard alone"
Perhaps he is right said, NJ. Ger
menil.
"But what does Clementine sayy OBJ
served M. Dumont. 1--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 OBJ
jects"-
"Oh," cried Charles, interrupting him,
"Clementine is quite Of my opinion. She
has as little confidence in Picard's speedy
return as have. Is not that 80, dear
Clementiney' he went on, addressing the
young girl, who had come out Of the
house and Joined them just as Charles
Mas speaking.
1T 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-be-
cause"-she added with little blush-"I
will be waiting for him at the end of his
journey"
This last argument carried the day,
M. Dumont gallantly remarking 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, M. Charles"
said Pierre, coming toward them. 1T
is waiting at the back gate, as thought
that would save you bit of round. IL
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 a good idea
of yours"
Before you go, M. Charles, will you
please to tell me how II am to distribute
the rooms tonight"
"Ahl" said Charles, II was forgetting
my duties. Give Mile. Clementine the
room at the end Of the corridor and put
M. Germenil in No. 49,"
"And the poor woman yonder-where
is she to goy" inquired Pierre
Let me SEQ. You had better put her
in the small room near NJ. Germenil's."
"Bien m'sieu, No. 8. and in case any
travellers should arrive and want rooms,
where shall put themT
"Oh! Ifany one should come, which is
not likely, put them in the rooms on the
entre sol, 80 that our friends may not
be in any way disturbed. And now
must be off. he went on "There is no
time to lose. We have long road be-
fore us. Come, father, you'll see me OF
too. Ohl had almost forgotten. Here,
Pierre" he said. taking bunch Of keys
out of his pocket, ''you had better keep
these in case Of need. They areall num-
bered should you want to open any Of
the empty rooms"