Page:The Mystery of Madeline Le Blanc (1900).djvu/83

Rh "Yes, Madame."

"There isn't much here to interest you now," said Monsieur; "but it will do us good to have you come. Sooner or later you will forget the past, my lad; life will open to you again; and other attractions will solicit and win your attention. But come to see us often, since for us the sun is already in the western sky, and it is backwards that we look."

It had been a long time since he had spoken with such kindness; and when he had finished, he arose and kissed the pale face of his wife; but he saw not her pallor, remembering only how beautiful she had been when first he had pressed his lips to her cheek, long years ago.

For a time no one spoke, Monsieur was again reading his paper, and Madame and Joseph were looking at the flowers in the beds near by.

"Here is some strange news," said the father, to whom the other two turned. "Some secret discoveries were made about a week ago; and the police, hoping to make more, have kept the matter to themselves until now."

He read the account of the finding of