The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-11-27
CHAPTER XVI.
A TERRIBLE DISCOVERY.


Pierre was about to enlarge still fur
ther on the agreeable qualities of his new
acquaintance when the door of the sale
opened, and NJ. Dumont came in, accom-
panied by Clementine.
"Ah, good morning, brigadierl" he
said, shaking hands with Roger, who was
an old acquaintance. "You are earlyon
the road today. Is there anything STIR
ring or specialY"
"Nothing much, NJ. Dumont," replied
the gendarme. "A couple of escaped
prisoners from Lyons, whom we are on
the lookout for, and here they are some
where in or about the forest of La
Marche, and we are on our way there
now"
"Hush!" said M. Dumont, with sig
nificant glance toward Clementine, who
had gone over to the window, which
commanded view of the road, and was
eagerly watching for any sign Of Charles.
"But you rather alarm me, for my son
had to pass through the forest on his
way to and from st. Maurice last night,
and we are now wondering little at
the delay I'm his return, as we expected
him earlier"
"But what was M. Charles doing at
st. Maurice"
'He went to fetch paper which had
been forgotten by the notary"
Notary said the other, surprised.
"Oh, yes" said M. Dumont, smiling.
'T forgot that of course you don't know
that my son is to be married today to
the young lady whom you see at the
window"
"a fortunate man is M. Charles"
said the gallant brigadier.
But" said Dumont anxiously, 'what
you tell me-
Here he was interrupted by Pierre,
who had left the room and now ran in
crying out that M. Charles was comir g;
that he had seen the oaryiole from the
top window.
AS he spoke the sound Of rapid wheels
WAS heard outside, and M. Dumont and
Clementine hastenod out TO the door to
meet him. He was out of the carriole
and across tho courtyard in two strides,
and joyful indeed was the meeting be-
tween the lovers, while M. Dumont, re-
leved from the momentary fear which
the gendarme's words had aroused in
him, clasped his sons hand and welcomed
him with a full heart. Before the greet
lngs were finished the notary and the
ture. arm I'm arm, turned in at the gate,
Ind the whole party went into the salon
bogether, where Picard awaited them
with the papers all in order, and moth
ing missing this time. The brigadier
boined them there on the invitation Of
M. Dumont.
"WeIl," he said laughingly, clapping
Charles on the shoulder, ''you are a
pretty bridegroom to keep lady wait
tng."
Cementine shot rather an indignant
glance at him--as much as to say how
Haired he insinuate that Charles could do
enything that wasn't, quite perfect,
while Charles himself pleaded the bad
state Of the roads for his being little
late, adding, as he looked round, that
there was no time lost by that. since M.
Eermenil had not yet come down stairs.
my friend Germenil is not as young
ps he was, any more than myself" said
NJ. Dumont "And yesterday was a
fatiguing day for him. He had long
frive to begin with"
After a few minutes more conversa-
lion Charles went up stairs to SEQ what
was detaining M. Gerincnil, and pres
ently his voice was heard calling Pierre
to bring the bunch Of duplicate keys, rs
he had knocked and got no answer, and
he feared NJ. Gcrrnenil must be i'll.
Pierre ran UP stairs with the keys, fol-
lowed by Clementine.
"Quick, Pierre, quick, give mo the
keyp cried Charles.
But the key was not there. What was
TO be done?
"Wemust break tho door, said Charles
And accordingly no and Pierre threw
themselves against it with all tbeir force.
IL creaked, gave way, and the three
rushed into tho room. Then dreadful
shriek ran through the house ar Clemen-
tine fell senseless beside tho bed whero
lay the body of her murdered father.
m. Dumont, followed by the rest Of
the party, rushed up stairs 10 see what
was the matter and stood speechless
Mlbu IOTIOE Az tuo ttEAAblO rptttal4r.
Roger tho moment he saw what had
happened gave the order 10 his men,
"Seo that no ono leaves the house." Then
no returned 20 the room to examine fur
ther. Charles had IN the meantime car
fed Clementine 60 her own room, whsro
be left her in charge OF Margot, who did
all she could for her with many COM
passionate ordinations of "Pauvre
mam'sellei psuvre p'titef'
NJ. Dumont assured the brigadier that
the mnrdered man had not n single en-
emy in tho world.
Had he any money in his possessionY'
asked the officer.
He had 1900 francs, Clementine's
dot, which was to have been handed over
TO my son today as soon as the contrat
was signed"
"HeEe, ,%ssia Charles. .bsrsis hiAposk,