The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1870-04-16

can alter that With little dirt
They exchanged dresses, aud soon Il
rich and noble Marie de Nantes was cl,
IN the rags of Marie, the beggar Girl
Paris. The history of Marie de Mates wi
a sad one. Her father and two brothers ha
fallen victims to the remorseless fends
the Revolution, and the third and la,
brother had been seized. But of his fat
she was ignorant, although she expecte
that it would be similar to that of be
relatives. He had been torn from her sid
but few hours before. After the exchang
had been made the pauper looked on tn
stockiuless and shoeless feet and ankles o
the lady, and said:
THAT will nevdea do. Your feet are to-
white and delicate. Let me arrange mat
ters.'
In few moments Marie was prepared
aud in the filth and rags she emerged into
the street. She now took her course back
towards the guilontine, and at length reach
ed the square where the bloody work was
still going on. Gradually and easily
she forced her way through the crowd, and
nearer and nearer she came to the scafold.
She even forced laugh at several remarks
she heard around her, but those sounded
strangely. She now stood within the plat
form, and swept it with her eyes, but her
brother was not there. The cry was now
raised
Here comes another batch
Her heart futtercd violently and she fell
a faintness come over her as she heard the
tramp Of the doomed men approaching
Her brother walked proudly and fearlessly
forward, and assembled the very steps that
led to the block. Up to this moment the
strength of poor Marie had failed her, and
she was unable to put her resolve into exc
cution. But now sisters love swelled up
in her heart, and she recovered her strength
She sprang forward, bursting through the
line of guards, and ran up the steps. Grasp
ng her brother by the hand, she cried
What does this mean 1t is only the
lritocrats that are to die
Away, woman, exclaimed one of the ex-
,cutioners.
"No; will not away until you tell me
ghy my brother is thu. bound.
Your brother was the echo.
We'll, who sre you?
i am Marie; don't you know me-
The beggar girl
Aye
'But this is not your brother
1T is. Ask him-ask him.
Young Antonio de Nantes had turned
cornful glance upon the maiden, but
ight crossed his face, and he murmered; ;
oh, my sister,
is this your brotber?,. asked Robespier-
e of the supposed bsggar, advancing near
Ter.
1T is.'
Docs Marie speak the truth p asked
She does, was the brothers reply.
'And are you not De Nautes?'
I tell yon | am her brother
why did you not tell us of this before?
Il attempted to speak and was sileuced.'
But you might have declared yourself
you would not have believed me-,
But your dress p
1T belonged to an aristocrat. Perhaps
0 him for whom was taken.
Roberspierre advanced close to young
'antez, and gazed earnestly into his face;
len he approached Marie, and looked |
teadily in her eyes for short time. 1t
7as a moment OF trial for the poor girl.
he trembled in spite of all her efforts to
e calm. She almost felt that she WAS lost,
'hen the human fend whose word was
sw turned and said: !
Release the man.
The chaines were instantly removed, and
lntonio de Nantes walked down from the
caffold, and followed by his sister, while
houts rent the air, for they supposed he
as commoner who had thus been saved.
The young man worked his way through
he crowd as rapidly as possible, leading
larry. They had scarcely escaped it be-
're the poor girl tainted from the intensi-
Y of her feelings. The brother scarcely
new what to do, but a. hand was laid on
is arm and voice said:
Bring her to my room again. She will
e safe there
The brother conveyed her to the apart
lent of the pauper, and asked Of her:
Have you seen the female before p
w. L,o,r ou obout - .ot,.no1 A. |