The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1884-05-03 00:00:00

[ALL ItlOl3TB RESERVED.]
A CRIME IN AN OMNIBUS.

A STORY OF PARISIAN LIFE.
FORTUNE DU BOISG OBEY

Translated from the French.

CHAPTER XVIII*
Tax poor of Paris live mostly in out of the way
districts, districts which before the demolition of the
old walls, used to be outside the radius of the atroi,
and where living was consequently cheaper. When
they die they are generally interred outside the
fortifications. The large cemeteries within the
city are used exclusively by the rich, who have tho
means of acquiring plots of ground in perpetuity.
i A separate corner is, however, reserved n them or
C common pit to receiVe paupers or unknown corps( s
In the same tivay as it is obligatory on the wealthy
to suffer the indigent to walk on the grc at boule-
vards, but of the middle classes, such as are only
able to purchase a temporary resting-place, none are
buried there. They are sent to the suburban ceme-
teries of St. Ouen and Ivry. In the country the
graveyard belongs equally to all. The farm
labourer sleeps in the same soil as the lord of
the Chateau. Social distinctions end in the grave.
!ri Paris, the city par excellence of equality, it
18 the rich only who have the right to
(3eure their remains from being disturbed.
The boiies of the miserable poor are tole-
rated for a little while just as public char:ty
accords them one night's shelter when they are
living, but there is no hesitation in re-opening their
sad sepulchres and turning out their bones tb make
room for others. The people have entered their
Protest against this violation by ic-naming tho
distant cemeteries to *hich their dead are removed.
They call St. Oneh "Cayenne," and Ivry " Champs-
de,a NaVels," or the "Turnip-field."
Ivry is melancholy and gruesome. It it there the
guillotined are buried. St. Ouen is only sad. Per-
la-Chaise, Montmartre, and Montparnasse have each
a. character of its own. The cypress trees have had
time to grow; the tombs are unlike the modern
erection. ..... 4. tr--
many a preceding generation. The air is filled
With memories.

St. Ouen-iges as it were from yesterday; it has
nO history. It is a young cemetery, bare and un-
!majestic.

Out of the deso`ate plain that stretches to the
north of Paris a piece of ground has been taten
bap-hazard, surrounded by walls and turned over to
the grave diggers. No trees serve to distinguish it
from the adjoining fields; it is parched and naked,
not even peaceful. One can hear the scream of the
locomotive, the trumpet of the tramways the music
Playing at the drinking-houses far beyond the
harrier • the road to the cemetery is bordered on
each side by cabarets and skittle-gardens.
At about twelve o'clock in the day following the
visit of M. Paulet and his daughter to the studio, a
"lb passed down this dusty road occupied by Paul
Freneuse and Pia Astrodi. Binos Was perched up
on the oftside, and chatting with the coachman.
Prenense would hate preferred being without his
young friend, whose careless ways and reckless
language had become almost insupportable to him,
but hubs had been present at the burial of Bianca,
And without him Prepense could not have found the
spot where the vktim of the omnibus tragedy
reposed en the previous evening Binos had pro-
Mised to behave with discretion, and not to let Pia
tiess the manner of her sister's death. After the
Icrindsome Marguerite's departure the two artists had
held an animated and even'angry conversation, in
Which Freneuse reproached .Binos for having sud-
denly told Pia of Bianca's decease whilst Dines
jeered at his friend's delicacy, and the preference he
Showed for a little model Ivho was, in his opinion,
unworthy to tie the shoe-string of the opulent
ademcaFelle Paulet.
Dines declared that Freneuse must be mad to dis-
dain this beauty, who would have delighted the
heart oZ Rubens, by taking the miserable Italian's
Part. Upon which Freneuse reddened with anger,
and requested Binos not to meddle any further in
his affairs, and never again to refer to the murder,
real or supposed, of Bianca A strodi.
Binos was well satisfied to hold his tongue, having
promised Pi6douche to observe secrecy concerning
tip operations both past and present; so he pledge I
himself to comply with his friend's wishes, and they
ended by coming to a better understanding. It was
agreed they should go on the morrow to Ft. Onen,
/.1,1,1(1) after visiting the grave, Binos should leave
renouse alone with Pia.
The poor child was terribly altered, and hardly
ceased crying, notwithstanding all her friend could
do to stop her tears.
no went early to fetch her from the Rue des
1-.°l3B(is St. Bernard. She nearly fainted on seeing
!Joni at the doorway of her room. It was the first time
Freneuse had seen this tiny chamber, whose modest
furniture had been purchased with the money Pia
,earned by sitting as his model, though a few days
before his presence would have overjoyed her.
But the poor child was no longer the same since
!.sle had heard the frightful news communicated by
Eines. She turned white on recognising Froneuse,
and trembled, but had strength enough to recover
herself when he strode forward to prevent her
falling; and she stood before him mute and im-
Movable, evidently nearly broken-hearted.
Ifer friend told her gently that he had come to
t4.:tie her to the cemetery to place some flowers on
~
ianca's grave. To his surprise she hesitated at
first to follow him, and he had to remind her she
could not find her sister's burial place without his
aid.

The drive was made in silence until tho cab
stopped at the door of Paul's house in the Place
Pigalle. As he got out to call Bitios, who was
waiting for them at the nearest cafe, Pia murmured,
"No, no; I cannot go!"
Prenense guessed she had vowed to herself not to
re-enter the studio where Mademoiselle Paulet
meant to return, and thi§, discovery gave him some
food for reflection; when, after Binos came up and
mounted beside the driver, he found himself again
alone with his silent proVg.e.
They arrived without exchanging a word at a
short road leading to the cemetery out of the main
one. Binos sprang to the ground and opened the
door; but Pia avoided taking his hand as she
alighted a reluAance which did not astenish
Preneuse, considefng how the young fellow had
ected towards Marguerite the evening before.
All the people near the cemetery lived by trades
connected in some way with death. There were
little masons' shops full of funeral urns and broken
Columns; gardeners selline. pots of flowers; guides
With balges standing abOut ready to show the
beauties of the cemetery, not to speak of hears
g hearse.
drivers refreshing themselves in theipublic-house at
the corner.
The appearance of Pia excited general observa-
tion. The poor child had not taken to mourning,
for to do so she must have conformed to the French
etyle, and she had no clothes but the costume of her
native country.
The white hood and red petticoat of the Subiaco
Women is often seen in the streets of the quartier dcs
Arartrirs, but rarely at the cemetery gate.
But as Abruzzi girls die as well as Parisians, the
loengers might have thought that Pia had come .to
await the arrival of a deceased countrywoman, had
the }:resence of Freneuse agreed with supposition.
The elegance of his dress forbade the idea of his
being related to the little girl in the red petticoat,
notwithstanding. their arrival in the same cab.
Preneuse, pereiving, that they were stared at,
hastened to make his Durihases, and had some diffi-
culty in his selection. The shops exhibited all sorts
°1 Wects in bad taste- crowns of immortelles,
oaths of imitation pearls and glazed francs con-
taining artificial bouquets.
110 wanted nothing of that sort, so he turned to a
gardener, bought four pots of flowers, and engaged
a porter to carry them.
liut Pia had lingered behind to buy a little cross
'c't black beads, which she paid for out of her own
t3lender purse.
s.ts Linos, who for good reason bought nothing, led
'"° Say. On reaching the cemetery Paul was sur-
Msed by his suddenly calling and gesticulating to
•!ifl woman walking along in advance—a woman muffled
an old" tartan" and an ancient bonnet, such as was
wan fashion in the days of leg of mutton sleeves.
"Is he going to give us more of his nonsense ?"
9ridered Freneuse. "Who on earth is this old
Ivltch dressed like a figure at a fair? It is too bad
to 'Teak to her just at this particular time. Really
,°_ respects nothing, and I was wrong to bring him.
..Ird heavens ' He is bringing her to me. Is the
'ci.,,h3w mad!" •
.uirko i
s had ndeed seized the old *oman's arm, and
.9124 dragging rather than leading her back, for she
not seem very willing to accompany him. Pia
was ad
when arteing• to join I'reneuse, but stopped short
etrcaige e fiaw l'ines retracing his tens with this
companion.
I,:e_ll,,e,may scare the poor child away," muttered
"I must put a stop to his foolery."
e,
_lna he walked straight up to Binos, who cried :
olnpresent to you Mademoiselle Sophy Cornu, who
.t_lor
B l
ours me with her friendship, and who has paid
nca Astrodes grave out of her own pocket!
I\l,tdarno Cornu, allow me to introduce my friend,
Paul Freneuse, an artist of eminence whose works
aro to he seen at all the exhibitions and who has
earried off three prize medals."
~The old lady stared at Freneuse, who wished
'lnes and his introduction further.
flow," said sh • "here is really a painter!
It i9e'
. • You who lives in the big house on the Place
I know you' I know everyone in that
`parter. Is it true this good-for-no:hiug is your
I'rene
ear use crimsoned with anger, and was very
"toc,avi turning his back on Sophy Corn, but ehe
Wed him no time to reply.
k,
I as, 00d ! she went on ; "silence means consent.
it: tc be ause you look like a gentleman; but,
"4 • well, perhaps you keep him to clean up your
14 And the little girl, there—she's a nio !el?
6,
the 44° now, most estimable Madame Corn," said
3, zoliemian ; "can't you guess who she is ?
hiceait her. You will soon see the likeness."
Pia ( ragirm•-house keeper set herself to examine
wno did not move a sten) and exclaimed. "Y

are right, my boy, it is the very image of my dead
lodger! Why didn't you tell me at once she was
her sister? You talked enough about her at
Bianca's funeral. Call her, I want to give her a
kiss."

Sophie had a ringing voice, and fearing that Pia
must have heard her words, Freneuse interposed to
stop the old woman's effusions.
" The child is overwhelmed with grief," said he
sternly, "and I beg you to be careful what you ray.
am informed you have had the goodness to bury
her sister at your own expense; but remember that
you pain her by talking of her bereavement."
" I have no wish to do that, and so I won't say
another word while we are in the cemetery. After-
wards I must speak to her; in fact she ought to ( onio
to my house to fetch her sister's box. But as to
annoying her, don't be afraid. You don't know me
yet. Ask I3inos if I am unkind. Now, have you
any notion why I am come here to-day?"
"To order a mason to put up a pretty little eone
on the grave P"
"That is my business," replied Freneuse, quickly.
" Ah! No, no! Though if you like we will go
halves in the cost. But I will pay my share. Since
I am here you will not mind me asking the gardener
if he has sent the flowers I bespoke yesterday.
Now, do not be frightened; I shall not get in your
way. lam going on in front with Dines, and you
can follow with the child."

Freneuse had more than one objection to this
arrangement, but it released him from Binos and
the old woman, so he suffered them to move off, and
he turned to accompany Pia, who had not stirred
from where he loft her.

He found her in tears, but had not the courage to
say anything to her. They went together down the
path which Binos and Sophie Coma had taken, fol-
lowed by the porter carrying the flowers Freneuse
had purchased.
Pia dried her tears and walked with a firm step,
but she was silent, and kept her eyes on the ground
After passing a plantation a short distance from
the gates, they entered a road having on one s'do
three rows of modest tombs, and on the other a
large field, in the centre of which they saw a long
trench recently dug.
This trench was the common grave.
Beyond there was quite a forest of black wood,
cro - looking things, pressing one
ag linst the other, some broken, others uprooted by
the wind.

;en I

In the distance, several women wero wandcring
through this labyrinth, searching for the spot where
some loved one was buried, stooping to trace names
nearly effaced by the rain and falling on their knees
on the newly-turned earth.
Paul reflected that but for the kindness of the old
woman, whom he had so coldly treated, the body of
Bianca, would have been thrown into the frightful
pit used for the interment of the destitute, and if
Pia was able to pray at a separate grave, it wds to
Sophie Cornu she owed such consolation.
The lodging-house keeper became less obnoN ions
in his eyes. " She is right," thought he. " Pia,
must remove Bianca's box and papers. It is impor-
tant she should be certain of her sister's decease. I
will insist on her making some inquiries, though
she appears little disposed at present to listen to me:
I seem almost to have become an object of aversion
to her. She has not spoken since we loft Loren 'o's
house, and has done scarcely anything but cry. Per-
haps Bino's presence annoys her. I hope he will not
make known- Bianca's tragic fate; his tongue rattles
so! Ilapptly shall not want him when he has
shown us the spot where she lies, and I will ask him
to leave us. I might do so at once, for Sophie Coi nu
knows where the grave is; tut perhaps he would be
asking my reasons, and I do:not care to enter in' o
explanations here." _

binos had gone on in front, walking so fast that
the old womm had difficulty in following. He ha I
doubtless something interesting to t Ilk about, for
he continued gesticulating with great energy,
"What is the fellow doing? "wondered Preneuse.
" Ho is quite fool enough to relate the whole drama
of the omnibus, and I foresee what will result from
his indiscretion. Cornu will circulate the news
tbmughout the quarter, and the report will rcach
the commissary's ears. He will open an inquiry,
and if once justice gets mixed up in the matter, they
may exhume the unfortunate Bianca. Pia would
die of grief. Heaven only knows what might be the
result of such an undesirable ceremony. I could
wager anything there has been no crime at all, and
that neither the man outside nor the woman inside
the omnibus was connected with the girl's death.
They were together at the theatre, although the
evening before they certainly appeared to be un-
acquainted. But what does that prove? Simply
that they became acquainted in the street on leaving
the vehicle. I can learn the man's address when-
ever I wish of M. Paulet. As to the pin, Binos has
dreamt that it is poisoned. Perhaps Mina died
from convulsions. It is not uncommon with cats."

Whilst thus giving the rein to his imagination,
Freneuse continued walking beside Pia, who was
more taciturn than ever, and took care that Binos
and Sophie should not get too far ahead.
They soon turned to the right, and Freneuse
followed into an alley bordered by a row of stunted
cypresses, which evidently led to Bianca's grave, for
he soon perceived the plot of ground reserved for
temporary interments.
The neighbouring earth no longer had the dreary
appearance of that dedicated to the very poor,
althoogh few wooden borderings were to be seen
there, and no marble nor many head stones. Why
put monuments over graves to be tenanted for five
years only?
Illany of the graves had been newly planted with
flowers' and women were going to and fro, watering.
pot in hand, cherishing the little gardens they had
made over their children's resting-places.
After going about a hundred paces down this
narrow path, Binos and the woman stopped and dia.
appeared behind a cypress more fully grown than
the others.

"There it is," said Freneuse, glancing at Pia,
who was very pale. "Take courage, my child--
lean on mo. We will stay lore if you have not
strength to go further."
"Thank you," murmured the Italian. "I will
go on to the end. I must go alone."

(To be continued.)