The Lafayette gazette. [volume] (Lafayette, La.) 1893-1921, 1894-12-08
II had my reasons" she said. casting
hungry eyes upon the table.

1--WE can better appreciate your re a
| sons later" replied the Judge furious
at the interruption. meanwhile we
can listen to your report"
He drew out his watch. It was 1O:45.
"Yes. we have time, Touchboeuf You
| will find at your side all that is neces-
sary for writing. We will question
her."
The notary seated himself at the
writing table with his paper and ink
stand and the pen behind his ear,
waiting. The judge. sitting squarely
in a cane-seated armchair, fixed his
clear, hard eyes upon the girl. who
remained standing near the stove.
"Your name?'' he demanded.
incline Sacae1.''
''Your age and your residence?"
''Sixteen years. live with my IA
ther. who burns charcoal at the clear
ing of Onze-Fontaine-"
"You swear to tell all the truth?"
II came only for that
''Raise your right hand. You vvera
guard Sourrot was murdered. Relate
oil that you KNOW
''That is what 1 KIN ow: Our folks
had set out to go with the charcoal to
Stenay. watched near the furnace.
Toward two o'clock, at q moment
when the moon was hidden. Mancilin,
who is a woodcutter of Ire. passed be-
watching at an early hour?' I cried.
How goes all at your home? All
well?'
"'No,' he answered. The mother
has a fever and the children are al
most dying with hunger. There is
not a mouthful of bread in the house.
and am trying to kill a rabbit to sell
in Maryville.' That is on the other
side of Onze-Fontaine. lost sight
OF him then, but at dayb l heard
the report of gun, and l was just
clearing the ashes to shield the char
coal. Then, Immediately after. two
men came running toward our lodge.
They were disputing. 'Scoundrelr
cried the guard. 4 arrest YOU
'Sourrot" cried the other. pray
you let me have the rabbit, for they
are dying of hunger at my home
Go to the devil!' said the guard.
Then they fell upon each other. !
could hear their hard blows plainly.
Suddenly the guard cried: oh! and
then he fell heavily.
Il had hidden behind our lodge, ter
ribly frightened, and Manchin ran
away into the great forest, and from
that time to this he has not been seen.
lie is in Belgium. for sure. That is
all.''
"Hum:'' growlcd the judge. ''Why
did you not come to tell this soon as
you received the summons?
ct was none of my business-and l
did not wish to speak against Man
chin"
IL see: but you seem to have changed
your mind this morning. How is
that?'
..It is because have heard that they
accused Gucstin.''
"And who is this Gucstin?"
The girl Redeemed and answered.:
''He is our neigh Dor charcoal burner,
not see,'' she continued. that the
thought of fastening on him the guilt
of another aroused me? I put these
great boots on. and I have run all the
way through the woods to tell you
this. Oh, how I have run! / did not
feel tired. would have run till to-
morrow if it had been necessary. be.
cause it is as true as the blue Heavens
that our & uestin is entirely innocent
gentlemen"
"Hallo:'' cried he, seeing her sudden.
ly grow pale and stagger. ''Nhats
the matter?'
MY head swims. cannot Sec
She changed color, and her temples
grew moist.
The Judge, alarmed, poured out a
glass Of wine and said: ''Drinl< this
quickly!" He was wholly absorbed and
very much moved before this girl who
was threatened with illness. He dared
turbing his cooking. He looked help
lessly toward the clerk, who was gna'v-
ing his penholder.
ut is swoon," observed the lat
ter. "Perhaps she needs something
to cat"
judge.
She made a sign of assent
Excuse me- she said in feeble
voice, "but have had nothing to eat
since yesterday. It is that which
makes me dizzy
1.-THE deuce!' he cried at last hero
ically. Violently he drew toward him
the platter on which lay the trout.
After separating a large piece. which
he put on the table before her, he made
the charcoal burner sit down.
''Eat!'' said he, ilnperiOus1y.
He had no need to repeat his COM
mand. She ate rapidly, voraciously.
In another minute the plate was empty,
and Judge Sourdat heroically filled it
anew.
The scribe Touchhouef rubbed his
eyes. He no longer recognized the
judge. He admired, though not
robust appetite of the charcoal burner,
who devoured the exquisite fish with
out any more ceremony than if it had
been smoked herring, and he muir
INJURED: what a pity! Such a beautiful
dish!'
At that moment the door opened,
The third guest, the good priest of st.
Vincent, in q new cassock and with