Hutchinson gazette. [volume] (Hutchinson, Kan.) 1895-1902, 1896-04-23

room. Before she could ask ques-
ton, before she could speak even elm
gle word. her father came to her, caught
Danville by the arm, and pushed her
roughly back into the library.
go there, and take the women with
you" he said in quick, fierce whisper,
Unto the library" he continued, turn.
ing to the ladies, and raising his voice.
Into the library, all of you, along with
my daughter"
The women, terrified by his manner,
obeyed him in the greatest confusion.
AS they hurried past him into the
library. ne signed to the notary to fol-
low; and then closed the door Of COM
munication between the two rooms.
stop where you arew he cried, i'd
dressing the old officers, who had risen
from their chairs. Stay, l insist on IT!
Whatever happens, Jacques Berthelin
has done nothing to be ashamed VI in
the presence of his old friends and com
panions. You have seen the begin
ming, now stay and see the end"
While he spoke, he walked into the
middle of the room. He had never
Quilted his hold on Danville's arm
step by step, they advanced together to
the place where Trudaine was standing.
"You have come into my house, and
asked me for my daughter in marriage
and have given her to you, said tie
general, addressing Danville quietly.
"You told me that your first wife and
her brother were guillotined three years
ago in the time of the Terror-and be-
lieved you. Now look at that man
look at him straight in the face. He
has announced himself to me as the
brother of your wife, and he asserts that
his sister is alive at this moment. One
of you two has deceived me. Which Is
it?"
Danville tried to speak; but no sound
passed his lips; he tried to wrench his
arm from the grasp that was on it, but
could not stir the old soldiers steady
hand.
"Are you afraid? are you a coward?
Can't you look him in the facet" asked
the general, tightening his hold sternly.
"Stop! Stopw interposed one Of the
old officers, coming forward. Give him
time. This may be case of strange
accidental resemblance, which would be
enough under the circumstances, to dis
compose any man. "You will excuse
me, citizen" he continued, turning to
Trudaine. But you are a stranger; you
have given no proof of your identity"
There is the proof" said Trudaine,
pointing to Danville's face.
Eyes, yes" pursued the other; "he
looks pale and startled enough, GER
tainly But I say again-let us not be
too hasty; there are strange cases on
record of accidental resemblance. end
this may be one Of them"
AS he repeated these words, Danville
looked at him with a faint, cringing
gratitude stealing slowly over the biank
terror of his face. He bowed his head,
murmured something, and gesticulated
confusedly with the hand that he was
free to use.
Look cried the old officer; Took,
Berthelln, he denies the mans iden-
tity."
do you hear that?" said the general,
appealing to Trudaine. Have you
proofs to confute him? If you have pro-
duce them instantly"
Before the answer could be given, the
door leading into the drawing-room
from the staircase was violently flung
open. and Madame Danville-her hair
in disorder, her face in its colorless ter
ror. looking like the very counterpart
of her son's-appeared on the threshold,
with the old man Dubois and a group
of amazed and startled servants behind
her.
For Gods sake. don't sign! for God 8
sake come away she cried. II have
seen your wife-in the spirit or in the
flesh, know not which--but have seen
her. Charles! Charles! as true as
heaven is above rs, l have seen your
wife,"
"You have seen her in the flesh, liv-
ing and breathing as you see Ter
brother yopder," said firm, quiet voice
from among the servants on the landing
outside.