Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1914-12-17

us OF your previous visit here"
Very well, madame" and Julie set
tied into a more comfortable posture.
1T was n day on the boat as l was
looking down at the passengers of the
third class that l perceived Georges
M. Drouet-strolling about. l vas
MISUNDERSTANDING you call upset with
anazement, and then he looked up and
our eyes met, and he came beneath
me and commanded that l meet him
that evening. 1t was then that 1
learned his plan. 1t was to secure
them"
ITO whom" asked Godfrey.
TO the person that would pay the
greatest price for them, most certain
ly," answered Julie, surprised that it
should nave been thought necessary to
ask such a question. "They We're to
be offered first to madame at 10. 900
We're then to be offered to M. lie Due
he would surely desire to possess
them!"
The yelled lady shivered a little, and
her hand instinctiVely sought her
bosom to ssure herself that the prec-
iouS packet was safe.
THAT night" continued Julie, "in
my cabin, l tossed and tossed, trying
to discover a way to prevent this; for
l had seen long since that M. Drouet no
longer cared for mel knew that it
was upon some other woman that
money would be spent. l decided that,
at the first moment, l would hasten to
this house; l would explain the matter
to M. Vantine, l would persuade him
to restore to me the letters, with which
l would fly to madame. i knew, also,
that l could rely upon her gratitude"
added the girl. After all, one must
provide for oneself"
She paused and glanced around the
room, smiling at the interest in our
faces.
You have at least one virtue-that
Continue"
at was not until evening that /
found an opportunity to leave mad
anne" Julie went on. II FASTENED
there; / rang the ball; but l confess |
should have failed, I should MOI have
secured an entrance, if it had not been
that it was my husband who opened
side the door, he refused to permit me
to see his master; but as we were
debating together, M. Vantine himself
came into he han, and l ran to him
and begged that he lear me. 1t was
then that he invited me to enter this
room"
She paused again, n a little SILVER
vi ShpSSN1liSS IAN lllIouSIl Tie AL
last we We're to learn how Philip VAN
tine a met his death!
Il sat down. continued Julie. II
told him the story from the very be-
ginning. He listened with much in
%terest; but when l proposed that he
should restore to me the letters, he
hesitated. He walked up and down the
through that door into the roor.
beyond. The cabinet was standing il
the center of the floor, and all the lights
We're blazing.
lis that the cabinet?' he asked me,
and when I said that most assuredly
1t was. he seemed surprised.
1t is an easy thing to prove 1
said, and I went to the cabinet and
pressed on the three springs, as I had
seen madame do. The little handle at
the side fell out. but suddenly he
stopped me,
Yes, it is the cabined,' he said. I
see that. And no doubt the drawer
those letters do not belong to you. They
belong to your mistress. | cannot per-
NIT that you take them away for, after
All. L co not know you. You may in
tend to make some bad use of Them
Il protested that such a suspicion
was most unjust, that my character
was Of he best, that I was devoted to
my mistress and desired to protect her.
lie listened. but he was not con-
v1nced. In he end, he brought me
back into this room. l could have cried
with rage!
Return to your Mistress he said,
and inform her that l shall be most
happy to return the letters to her. But
~ must be in her own hands tina /
place them. The letters are here. when
ever it Dleases her to lain Them
Il saw that 1t was Of no use to argue
further; he was of adamant. So | left
the house. he himself opening the door
for me. n that is all that l know.
madame"
There was a moments silence: then
! heard Godfrey draw a deep breath.
L could see that, like myself, he was
convinced that the girl was telling the
truth.
O course" he suggested gently. las
soon as you reached home you related
10 your mistress what had occurred?"
Julie grew a little crimson.
No, monsieur" she said, II told
her nothing"
Il should have thought you would
nave wished to prove your devotion"
went on Godfrey, in his sweetest tone.
II feared that, without the letters.
she would misunderstood nv motives y
said Julie, sullenly.
And then, Of course, without the
letters. there would be no eward.
Godfrey supplemented.
Julie did not reply. but she looked
very uncomfortable.
The yelled lady rose.
Have you any further questions to
ask her?' she said.
No. madame" said Godfrey. THE
story is complete"
Julie resumed her veil, shooting at
Godfrey a glance anything but friendly.
The yelled lady turned to me and held
u her hand.
II thank you, Mr.. Lester, for your
kindness" she said. Come, Julie" and
she moved toward the door, which Rog-
ers FASTENED to open.
Mr.. Hornblower nodded and passed
out after them, and Godfrey and / were
left alone together.
We both sat down, and for a moment
neither OF us spoke.
'"Well!" said Godfrey, at last. .Well
what a story it would make, And I
can't use it. It's u bitter reflection.
LESTER
1T would certainly shake the pillars
of society" agreed. Tn rather sllak-
Ell myself"
80 am I! I was all at sea for a
W1iile-I was dumb with establishment
when [ heard you and the yelled lady
talking about the secret drawerI
could see you laughing at me. / don't
know the who1a story vat IIa,, l;1 \.