The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1894-10-12

been Obliged TO SenQ cOuSEdDle "
look her up, and he was now await
ing the result of the search.
Toward ten o'clock the door Of bis
cabinet opened, framing the cooked
hat and yellow shoulder belt Of the
constable.
| "Eh, Well?" grunted the judge.
"Eh! Well, judge; 1 cannot find the
girl She has disappeared. The char
coal burners pretend utter ignorance
| pure actingr' irritably cried Judge
Sourdat. "These people are mock1ng
YOU You are but stupid fellow at
best Co."
| The Judge consulted his watch. The
business was at a stndstill; the case
could not be called; and he wished to
| give a galnce of oversight to the mat
ters of the dining room before the
arrival of his guests. He disrobed
himself and hurried home.
The pleasant dining room, brighten
ed by the June usnshine. presented a
most attractive aspect with its white
woodwork; its grey curtains; its high
stove of blue faience with it's marble
top; and it's round table covered with
dazzling white linen cloth, upon
| which were placed three covers, ar
tistically trimmed. The little ROLLS of
white bread rested tenderly upon the
bright red napkins. The rosy wine of
Inon sparkled in the caraffes. Flanked
on the right with the lettuce salad,
Ornamented with nasturtiums, ON the
left by a cluster of shell-f1sh from the
NIeuse the trout was extended in a
platter ensirdled with parsley. Its
silvery belly showed delicate red spots.
Its blue back, cut transversely, re-
vealed it's rich salmon color, and it
held a full blown rose in it's mouth.
By it's side a, bowl of court-bouillon
was just taking a chill, and exhaling
abroad fine odor of thyme which
rejoiced the nostrils.
This spectacle softened the ill humor
of the judge, and he was calming, little
by little, while laying upon the silver
salver a dusty bottle of old Croton,
when the hall door opened violently
and he heard in the vestibule a girls
voice which cried, 81 tell you 1 wish
to speak to the judge. He expects me-
! At the same time a half naked arm
made the recorder, Touchboef spin
through the open door. He had just
arrived, being one of the invited guests
A strange visitor was ushered by him
into the dining hall. 1t was a young
Shl, dluOSC d lllu duu UIOWu
with uncovered head and with hel
streaming in the wind. Her stocking
less feet were thrust into mems boots
a grey blouse and a skirt of blue cot
+ ton formed her sole attire; her gentle
brown eyes were sparkling under the
uncombed tangles of her chestnut hair
her nostrils were dilating and her part
ed lips trembled.
What does all this racket mean?'
: growled the judge, scowling.
''It is the little charcoal burner,
responded the recorder, Touchboef
"She arrived at the Palais just after
{ you left, and she has followed me al
far as here in q wild state of excite
t ment, in order that you may take hel
deposition"
. 'Eh" groaned the judge. "You are
In a great hurry, my girl, after keep
Ing me waiting three days. Why die
, you not come sooner"
| Il had my reasons" she said, casting
, hungry eyes upon the table.
!, I'VE can better appreciate your rea
sons LATER" replied the judge, furiou.
, at the interruption. Meanwhile We
| can listen to your report
He drew out his watch. 1t was 6
quarter to eleven.
: Eyes, we have time, Touchboeuf. Yol
: will find at your side all that is nee
: essary for writing. We will question
her."
The notary seated himself at tn,
writing table with his paper and ink
stand, and his pen behind his car
? waiting. I'll: judge, sitting squared!
in a cane-seated arm chair, fixed hi
, clear, hard eyes upon the girl, who re
3 mained standing near the stove.
'Your Lame?" he demanded.
. "Meline Sacael."
Your age and residencey"
= Sixteen years. l live with my faith
= er, who burns charcoal at the clearin,
of Onze-Fontaines."
y You swear to tell all the truth?"
81 came only for that
Raise your right hand. You wer,
+ near your home on the night when tn
guard Seurrot was murdered. Relat
i all that you know"
n This is what know. Our folks ha,
: set out to go with the charcoal t.
9 Stenay. I watched near the furnace
: Toward one o'clock, at a moment whel
! the moon was hidden, Manchin, who
o a wood cutter of Ire, passed before ou
h lodge. See me! Am I not watchin
/ Oil CdIlJ hOuI CIlcu. I1OW zoe
\ all at your home? ALI wellT
"'No,' he answered. The mothe
+ has fever. and the children are al
: most dying with hunger. There is no
g a mouthful of bread in the house, an,
n 1 am trying to kill a rabbit to sci
o at Marville.' That is on the other sid
o of Onze-Fontaine. lost sight of hin
/. then, but at daybreak I heard the re
i port Of gun. The wind had fresh
ened, and was just clearing the ashe
r to shield the charcoal. Then, imme
J. diately after, two men came runnin
o toward our lodge They were dispu1
d ing. 'Scoundrel" cried the guard, 8
: arrest you
q 'Seurrot,' cried the other, 7 ORA,
o you let me have the rabbit, for the
are dying of hunger at my home
q Go to the devil said the guard
n Then they fell upon each other.
8 could hear their hard blows plainly
!. Suddenly the gard cried, AIR an
n then fell heavily.
9 II was hidden behind our lodge, te,
O ribly frightened, and Manchin raj
). away into the great forest and fror
q that time to this he has not. been seer
Hn iS in poIyirrp, 4.