The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1910-12-23

A horrible crime has plunged the
little village Of La Jonchere in COR
sternation. A widow. named Lerouge.
who enjoyed the general esteem and
love of the community, has been as
sassinated in her home"
Thunder" said old Tabaret to him
self, can it be that Madame Gerdy-"
The idea but flashed across his
mind; he fell back into his chair. and,
struggling his shoulders, murmured:
Really this affair OF La Jonchere is
driving me out of my senses! can
think of nothing but this Widow Le-
rouge. l shall be seeing her in every
thing now
An uncomfortable curiosity caused
him to peruse the entire paper. He
found nothing, however, with the ex-
ception of those lines, to justify or
explain fainting tit, cry, or even the
slightest emotion.
This coincidence is extremely sing
uiar," thought the incorrigible police
agent. Then, noticing that the news
paper was slightly torn at the lower
part, and crumpled, as if by a con-
vulsive grasp, he repeated:
1T is very strange
AT this moment the door of Madame
Gerdy's bedroom opened, and Noel ap-
peared on the threshold. Without
doubt the accident to his mother had
greatly excited him, for he was very
pale, ad his countenance, ordinarily
so calm, wore an expression Of great
worry. He appeared surprised to see
M. Tabaret.
"Ah, my dear Noel!" cried the old
fellow. Ease my anxiety. How is
your mother?'
Madame Gerdy is as we'll as can be
expected"
Madame Gerdy!" repeated the old
fellow with an air OF establishment;
then he continued. at is plain you
have been seriously alarmed"
in TRUTH" replied the barrister,
seating himself. II have experienced
rude shock
Noel was visibly making the great
est efforts to appear calm, to listen to
the old fellow, and to answer him. M.
Tabaret, full of anxiety. perceived
nothing.
"At least, my dear boy said he,
tell me how this happened?'
Madame Gerdy has received a Sc
in loor
graph in this paper that a woman in
whom she took a strong interest has
been murdered
We'll, never!" cried old Tabaret.
The old fellow was so astonished
that he almost betrayed himself, and
revealed his connection with the po-
lice.
She was continued Noel, 1.-The
slave of Madame Gerdy, devoted to
her in every way! She would have
from her hand"
Then you, my dear friend, you
knew this poor woman?'
Il had not seen her for very long
time" replied Noel, whose voice seem
ed broken by emotion; but l knew
her we'll. l ought even to say loved
her tenderly. She was my nurse
she, this woman?" stammered old
Tabaret.
This time he was thunderstruck.
Widow Lerouge Noers nurse? He was
most fortunate. Providence had evil
IDENTIFY chosen him for it's instrument,
and was leading him by the hand.
1T is a great misfortune" he MUIR
INJURED, at last
What it is for Madame Gerdy,
cannot say" replied Noel, with
gloomy air; ''but, for me. it is an
overwhelming misfortune! l am
struck to the heart by the blow which
has slain this poor woman. Her death
M. Tabaret, has annihilated all my
dreams of the future. and probably
overthrow my most cherished hopes.
l had to avenge myself for cruel in
juries; her death breaks the weapon
in my hands, aud reduces me to des-
pair. to impotence. Alas! l am, indeed,
you unfortunate?" cried old Tab
aret, singularly affected by his dear
Noel's sadness. In Heavens name.
what has happened to your
Il suffer- murmured the barrister,
"and very cruelty. Not only do fear
that the injustice is irreparable; but
here am l, totally without defense,
delivered over to the shafts of calum-
ny. l may be accused of inventing
falsehood, of being an ambitious in
triguer, having no regard for truth,
no scruples of conscience"
Come come, Noel said he, com
| pose yourself. Who would believe any
calumny uttered about you? Take
courage, have you not friends? am
DOT here? Have confidence, tell me
what troubles you, and it will be
strange, indeed, if between us two
The barrister started to his feet, i'm
| pressed by sudden resolution.
| We'll, yes" interrupted he, eyes,
you shall know all. In fact am tired
of carrying all alone secret that is
ctiAino mo y.c,,;,o