Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1907-11-07
CHAPTER XIII.

lie Story, began the ueltSIlNC, 10
of a young lady, a countrywoman OF
yours. 1t was years ago that this thing
happened. She was quite handsome, very
young. very romantic and foolish. When
she was eighteen years of age she met
an American. He also was young, hand
some. but dissolute and entirely unwOr-
thy of her love"
Nine Colbert-Remplin inclined her
head almost imperceptibly. She was list
ening to the history of her own life. How
had this man brought to light the secrets
of the past which had, years ago, as she
believed, been hidden by the lapse of
time
yielding to the Americans importu-
mites, this young lady contracted with
him a secret marriage. The result of
their union was a child-a boy. The
marriage was concealed successfully
from the young woman's parents. By
the connivance of a friend and a pre-
tended visit to the country, its conse-
quences were also kept secret. Shortly
after the birth of her child the young
woman returned to Paris, where she at
tracted the attention of a very rich bank
sought to make her his wife. 1t was
more than probable that the lady would
not have yielded to the temptation which
was thrust before her but for two things,
first, the discovery that her husband was
a worthless, faithless fellow. second, the
opportunities of her parents, who at that
time sustained some financial reverSeS. 1t
appears that the banker held her faith
er's obligations for an enormous amount.
A condition of the marriage was that her
parent should be released. A divorce was
secretly secured from the first husband. -
Yes, it was to save my father" MUIR
INJURED Nine. Colbert Remplin.
He went on:
There was little boy, as have said
the fruit of this, unhappy young woman s
union with the American. This child
was given out to a nurse to take care of.
She was the wife of loutish, industrious
peasant, and of a peasant family herself,
but she was beautiful for all that, as
some of those women are. The American
fell in love with her. He was called
away to the United States and was absent
three years In his absence something
had happened"
What had happened?" murmured the
woman beside him.
The child entrusted to the woman's
care had died. On the Americans re-
turn to France, she presented her own
child in its place. Her husband was
dead. There was no one to contradict
her.
A great sigh went up from the heart of
Nine Colbert Remplin.
"Ohr' she cried can this be true
My son is dead. How have you learned
ths?"
Madame La Seur, who has blackmail-
ed you systematically, two days ago met
with a fatal accident. Unable to see YOU.
she sent you in her last moments a full
confession of the imposition she had so
long practiced upon you and implored
your forgiveness. This was taken by her
messenger to the gate where you usually
received her, and was promptly seized by
one of my men. Here is the confession.
from which you will learn that Philip
Graham. whom you firmly believed to be
your own son, is in reality the son of
the peasant woman, who was the nurse
of your own child, and whom Henry Ora
ham married"
But the extraordinary resemblance
All! I see it all now. Henry Graham
was his father! It.was easy to deceive
both him and me-"
Exactly, and others have been equally
deceived Though Madame La Seur, and
not yourself. was the mother of the boy.
yet Henry Graham was his father. His
facial characteristics and peculiarities
are wonderfully reproduced in the person
of his son. There is but little remaining
to be told. For yourself. you have moth
ing TO fear. This secret is known TO me
alone. l promise you it shall be kept
inyiolate. But in case the ties of long
habit or old association of ideas should
soften you toward this man, whom, up to
few minutes ago, you believed to be
your own son, let me tell you one thing.
Even you will then admit that the course
of justice should be no longer stayed"
What do you mean? 1 am aware that
if recaptured he is liable to be returned
to prison. Is there aught else?"
The detective leaned forward and laid
his finger on her arm.
Did you ever hear of the Roupell muir
der at the Chateau Villeneuve?"
ITO be sure did all Paris was ring
ing with It."
"a defenseleSs woman, honored, respect
ed, beloved, was ruthleSsly murdered in
her own home"
Yes"
The murderer of Madame Roupell was
Philip La Seur, alias Philip Graham"
He laft bar apd went hrrrieflv 70 the
door of the conservatory and passed
thence into the outer salon. Jules Cha
bot came toward him smiling.
I'VE have been looking for you, Mon
sieur Lazare. De Valiar is playing in
great luck tonight. You're not going to
keep out of the way. He is anxious for
his revenge"