The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1910-06-17
CHAPTER XI.


tmploring, terrified eyes, like those Of
q child. Heaven knows that it is
not of my seeking" she cried, pas
Eionately. But look here! l have
something to show you" She drew,
out of her breast suddenly a little,
silver box, about four inches long
and very slender. Look at this" she.
said, opening it. Within the case lay.
q small, white, peeled wand, forked
at the end. After my mothers
DEATH" she said, "Nanon took this
from her breast, and gave it to me.
She did not know what it was, but
Imagined it to be some precious rellc,'
and she desired me never to part with
It. For many years I always wore 1t
under the same impression, and such
was my awe of it, for l always i'm
agfned that it might be a portion
from the true Cross, that l never,
till about two years ago, took it out
of the case. Then a curious thing
occurred Our professor of Eteraturd
was giving us lecture about legends
and myths. His lectures were very.
Interesting; he illustrated them by
reading the account of the search for
minerals with the divining rod, in
The Antiquary.' Then he spoke of
the shape of the rod and the position
In which experts used to make use OF
it., lightly held with both hands" :,
Arthur saw the same strange look
that he had remarked before coming
over her face, and he hastily inter-
rupted her. "Tell me-" he said, Il
suppose you then recognized the
shape of your relic"
She started and became herself
again. "Yes, our professor told me
to take the greatest care of it, that it
was most curious and valuable from
an antiquarian point of view. He re-,
moved it from its case to examine it.
more closely, and then, for the first,
time, I perceived that there was a,
slip of paper, on which few words
were written in my mothers handl
writing, underneath it. You may
read it If you like"
Arthur took the tiny little scrap OF
paper from her hand; it was yellow
and pale. The words were in French.
sMy beloved little one, to you leave
the legacy of our hereditary power.
[ dare not refuse to do so, for it may
be the gift of God for the doing of
His divine will; but I conjure you,
as you value the blessing of your dy-
ing mother, never use it but to save
life. Not even to fulfill justice, un-
less to save from injustice. God bless
and keep my darling"
"You did not tell any one else Of
this, did you?" said Arthur.
"No. I never dared talk of my
mother, her name was too sacred to
me; to speak of her was to lay bare
the whole tenderness of my heart. l
never loved anyone well enough to
do that"
Arthur started, and the color
flushed into his cheeks.
"I am glad you did not speak of it, y
he said, gently. "But all this is no
proof. You have never used it, of
courSe?"
"Never! 1 have the greatest ter
ror and dread of it. But, alas! I can
not divest myself of the idea that if
I ever took it in my hands it would
pass beyond my control; that"
"If you feel that" said Arthur.
firmly, "you should not keep it in
your possession"
What can I do?" she said. u
~ 1-,i4 hov
over the fire many and many time
longing to cast it in, but 1 dare not
My mothers words have elevated
this horrible power from a terrible
misfortune into a sacred trust.
dare not destroy it.
Then place it in the hands OF
some friend you can absolutely trust.
That is my advice" said Arthur.
Il have no friends" she answered
mot one whom l could count upon.
Gould you not trust me?" said
Arthur. Il would do all l can tc
deserve your trust, if you can believe
it after so very short time of friend
ship"
Il do, l WILL" she said. "You are
have only known me two days, and
yet already l trouble you with my
sorrows; and | have suffered a great
deal"
Arthur pointed to the little silver
case that was lying on Antoinette's
knee. Dear Madamoiselle," he said
"will you let me put my friendship
to the proof and take charge of that
for you? I think it will relieve you
to feel that it is out of your own pos,
session"
Yes" she answered, taking it up
"But before 1 confde it to you I must
ask you to promise me that if-if the
conditions my mother mentions
should ever make it my duty to use
it. you will give it to me-"
Il will swear it if you like" he an
swered, but, please God, that will
never be-"
She shuddered as she placed the
talisman in his hands. Il feel as if ]
were transferring my own burdens tC
you," she said.
q wish, with all my heart, thai
you could" he answered.
CHAPTER XII.
In spite of all that Mademoiselle
Rigaud had said about her father s
Poverty, Arthur could not divest him.
talf of the idea that they would find
him living in way, at all events, not
uncomfortable, though, Of course, not
in keeping with the wealth that he
Enew him to possess; but he was
greatly astonished to find that the re-
ality even exceeded her expectations.
They reached the station at Goucy
about four o'clock in the afternoon.
The day continued to be gray and