The evening world., 1911-10-14

There must be n little more than chance
in the coincidence which led Mime.
Juinot to take me as a maid-in the
one which urged her husband to treat
NJ. Stephenson as a schoolmate Of
Charlemagne-and in the last, which
made you crush a slx-year-old baby for
the sole purpose OF reaching, uniting
two human beings whose double moral
life. happen what may. Ia henceforth
inseparable from each other! But we
are so ignorant OF our fate. so incap-
able OF disentangling It's secret springs,
that we a been obliged to forge a
word to satisfy our idle curiosity. a
word that explains nothing. for
the excellent reason that life Is mex
plicable."
NJ. Marathon's brow had darkened.
Throwing his cigar on the hearth he
aid sorrowfully;
And is this what o call the truth.
Nine. Grenet?"
IF 1t was in my power to tell you the
truth concerning NJ. Grenet's murder. It
Is because | should be the murderess'
And my case Is the same as NJ.
Ste%phenson's."
That's II! That's H." said the Judge.
raising his voice with a sort Of re-
strained anger. 80 at last we are, all
lnTte Oh us, ! t0e WaBlSlTtilt anu YOU
the two prisoners. II one may say so.
gathered around an Inn table ut :
| O'Clock In the evening. n few kilo-
metres from the frontler-and OF these
three there are two innocent persons.
and / am the guilty one, the sole guilty
person. flagrant, proven-the murderer
" a child six years old! Still, the con
clusion to which you force me ia a little
hard to believe But there is more,
madame!"
lie assumed an attitude OF dismay
and the tone Of his voice suddenly
deepened.
"You do not only stagcer my reason,
| but you rend my heart into the bargain.
| Since you listened at the doors In
| Maitre Juinot's house YOU know the
deep feeling, the boundless devotion I
have for you! And you dare In my
presence TO make so solemn "A declara-
| ton to yonder clown All. Nine Giruet
. Nine. Grenet. iuu are not
Ashamed to bestow your purest emo
ions on such a person! And YOU carry
cruelty to the poln, * ~~isning me t.
ha the impassive witness OF such a
senseless passion, so you ala not love
your husband. unhappy woman"
II did love ny husband. with all my
loyalty, all my integrity" replied Nine.
Grcnet, in a naughty, dlsdainful tone.
M. Stephenson knows that well. II my
| husband we're sim alive VI, Stephenson
would BE- free and should carry in my
soul TO my last sigh the secret OF my
| alteration, But Il IL neither my fault
nor NJ. ~Stcphenson's II my husbands
death released me from my duty and
allows me to speok freely"
80" concluded the furious NJ. Mara
thon. III NJ. Grenet had not died al
this would not have happened"
Then, apostrophizing me, Without the
least restraint, he exclaimed;
N, my opinion of you has no,
changed! o are a thorough scoun-
drel!'
Then, with a sly expression, his eye.
lids wrinkled. his eyes blinking:
But take care - Since we musl
live together at present. a s~coundrel. =
regular sc%ounlrel!'
The innkeeper opened the dInlng-roon
door.
He had returned from the ne%lghborinl
city, where he had not found a singl,
tire to repair ours. This instantly pul
an end to the condolences OF Nine
Grenet and the wrath OF NJ. Marathon
Van Gleders's manner was embarrassed
but there was something IN tho embar,
rassment hat reused my anxiety.
See here he said, twisting his cal
with It's leather visor. "youll have to
wait Ill tomorrow morningl It's no
my fault. you know. gentlemen!"
CTo b, Continued)