Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1894-05-24

hat and yellow shoulder belt OF the
constable.
"Eh! wells" grunted the Judge.
"EhI well, Judge. / cannot find
the girl. She has disappeared. The
charcoal burners pretend utter igno'
rance"
Pure actingp' irritably cried
Judge Sourdat. "These people arr
hooking you. You are but stupid
fellow at best. Co."
The Judge consulted his watch. The
business was at standstill; the case
could not be called, and he wished to
give q glance of oversight to the mat
ter Of the dining room before the ar
rival of his guests. He disrobed him
self and hurried home.
The pleasant dining room, bright
ened by the June sunshine, presented
a most attractive aspect with its
white woodwork; it's gray curtains ;
its high stove of blue faience with
it's marble top; and its round table
covered with dazzling white linen
cloth, upon which were placed three
covers, artistically trimmed. The
little rolls of white bread rested ten
derby upon the bright red napkins.
Thanked on the right with q lettuce
salad, ornamented with nasturtiums !;
on the left by q cluster of shell-fsh
from the Mouse, the trout was ex-
tended in q platter engirdled with
parsley. Its blue back cut trans
versely, revealed its rich salmon
color, and it held full-blown rose in
its mouth. By it's side, bowl Of
court-bouillon was just taking q chill,
and exaling abroad fine odor Of
thyme which rejoiced the nostrils.
This spectacle somewhat softened
the ill-humor of the Judge, and he
was calming, little by little, when
the hall door opened violently, and
he heard in the vestibule a girls
voice which cried, 81 tell you wish
to speak to the Judge. He expects
me-"
At the same time half-naked arm
made the recorder Touchbeuf spin
through the open door. He had just
arrived, being one of the invited
guests. A strange visitor was ush-
cred by him into the dining hall. 1t
was a young girl, almost child, thin
and brown, with uncovered head and
with her hair streaming on the wind.
Her stockingless feet were thrust
into mems boots; a gray blouse and
a skirt Of blue cotton formed her sole
attire. Her rapid walking had
flushed her cheeks; her gentle brown
eyes were sparkling under the un-
combed tangles of her chestnut hair;
her nostrils were dilating and her
parted lips trembled.
''What does all this racket mean?"
growled the Judge, scowling.
1T is that little charcoal burner"
responded the recorder Touchbeuf.
"She arrived at the Palais just after
you left, and she has followed me as
far as here, in state of wild excite
ment, in order that you may take her
deposition"
tEhW groaned the Judge. "You
are in great hurry, my girl. after
keeping me waiting three days. Why
did you not come soonerT
II had my reasons" she said, cast
ing hungry eyes upon the table.
"We can better appreciate your
reasons later" replied the Judge,
furious at the interruption. "Mean-
while we can listen to your report.
He drew out his watch. 1t was q
quarter to eleven. Eyes, we have
time, Touchbeuf. You will find
at your side all that is necessary for
writing. We will question her."
The notary seated himself at the
writing table with his paper and ink
stand, and his pen behind his ear,
waiting. The judge, sitting squarely
in asquare-seated armchair, fixed his
clear, hard eyes upon the girl, who
remained standing near the stove.
"Your name 2" he demanded.
incline Sacael."
"Your age, and your residence ?"
sixteen years. / live with my
father, who burns charcoal at the
clearing Of Onze-Fontaines."
"You swear to tell all the truth ?"
II came only for that.
"Raise your right hand. You were
near your home on the night when
the guard Seurrot was murdered. Re-
late all that you know"
This is what l know. Our folks
had set out to 60 with the charcoal
to Stonay. / watched near the fur
mace. Toward 3 o'clock, at q moment
when the moon was hidden, Manchin,
who is woodcutter of Ire, passed be-
fore our lodge. "See me! Am I not
watching at an early hour ?" cried.
How goes all at your home All
well 2"
/" No, he answered. The mother
has a fever and the children are al
most dying with hunger. There is
not mouthful of bread in the house
and l am trying to kill rabbit to
sell in Marville.' That Is on the other
side of e-Fontaine. l lost sight Of
him then, but at daybreak / heard
the report OF gun and I was just
clearing the ashes to shield the char
coal. Then, Immediately after, two
men came running toward our lodge.
They were disputing. 'Scoundrel
cried the guard. 4 arrest you.'
90 Seurrot, cried the other, I pray
you let me have the rabbit, for they
are dying of hunger at my home"
Z" Go to the deucep cried the
guard. Then they fell upon each
n n n