The Rich Hill tribune. (Rich Hill, Mo.) 1903-1911, 1905-04-06


open the packet Then I must ten
you something the, has escaped my
mind until now"
Breakfast was sOon despatched
and. after thanking Madame Teche
Tor her hospitality. her guests took
their leave. pursued. until out ~ hear
ing. By Folubie fareWeiis and ureinsa
20 come again.
Murier walked with them 20 the
beach, which they found deserted.
With the full tide rolling in over the
pebbied sand In q hufhed way. as u
It's mood were depressed.
Latte. drawing a scarlet hRndker.
chief from bis pocket. waved Il above
hts head and the master Of the hsh.
ingemaek replied with . speedy hui.
loa that cane faintlY across the
water.
The fisherman beRched his boat
near Oreioire. who now called 10
them. and stood waiting as they
sirolied along "a join him.
The captain 81 the smack was
easily Induced o land his passengers
on the Freuch coast. and they we're
scarcely under way before the former,
asking Gfeloi7e 20 accompany BIN.
ven below, TO open the package.
n Was somewhat bulky. aud as his
fingers broke the last wrapping. a
collection Of papers. some OF them
discolored by years. others evidently
OF more recent date. fell up0n the
cabin table. And ia their midst Ehone
the DUN gold frame Of an ivory
painted miniature.
For a second La3tie stared af this:
then. picking il up. be locked intently
at the gypsyiike face Of the portrait
"Ah. mon Dieu, How came the
emperor by this?" he cried choking
~. the sight Of the beautiful face.
which Margot had taught him to love
AS the mother whom be had never
known. making the past more real
than the present.
GreiCire, who was lighting a cigar.
said dryly. Examine the papers. and
II they do not tell you, perhaps ! can
90 so
LATTE glanced az them huruedly.
They comprised his parents marriage
certificate, and all the other papers.
together with the Jewels. that had
been in the small iron box 50 many
years ago. There were also more re-
sent papers. showing that the prop
erty In Langaedoc had been released
from sequestratiou. and held in trust
by Napoleon. emperor Of France. for
Jean. son and heir Of the Baron -
and sometimes known as Jean LATTE.
OF Louisiana. in North America
All the documents were there. show
ing In detail the legal proceedings. in
stituted and perfected under the Con
sulate, and confirmed under the En-.
pire.
AS the last paper fell from his
hand. LATTE buried his face in hts
crossed arms amid the heap OF pre-
cious things upon the table.
All the past was rolling in upon
him. a sea Of living reality, so distinct
and intense that the present appeared
dim and vaporous.
What had. hut last night. seemed
20 him legitimate In the light Of his
everyday world, as be met its events.
now looked honorstained when con.
fronted With the appealing sweetness
OF the pictured face that had repre-.
scented TO his boyhood ali that was
best and purest. and the present sight
~ which had brought 80 vlyialy De.
fore his mental vision the dimmed
face of faithful MarEot. and that
proud stately nan he had known as
father. Of whom he could recall no
word or act dictated by other than a
sense OF the highest honor toward his
fellows
And B0naparte. the idol Of his
youthful heart, but Tor So many years
doubted and m~istrusted be had OBJ
tainei and treasured these proofs OF
the wayWard boys position as that
fathers son and heir. while the son
himself was risking in slien lands the
sacrifice OF his rightnil name aud
heritage,
An anguishcd silence kept him
mute. and Greloire. as II understand.
inE this. said nothing.
10 - a-.mHfrwaH