The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1870-04-07

form, and swept it with her eyes, but
her brother was not there. The cry
was now raised:
Here comes another batch
Her heart futtered violently, and
she felt faintness come over her as
she heard the tramp Of the doomed
men approaching. Her brother walk
ed proudly and fearlessly forward, and
asce~ ded the very steps which led to the
block. Up to this moment the strength
of poor Maria had failed her, and sire
was unable to put her resolve into ex-
eculion. But now a sisters love swell
led up in her heart, and she recovered
he- strength. She sprang forward
through the line of guards, and ran up
the steps. Grasping her brother by
the hard, she cried:
What does this mean ? 1t is only
the aristocrats that are to die
Away, woman exclaimed one of
the executioners.
NO | will not away until you tell
me why my brother is just bound
Your brothers. was the echo.
We'll who are you"
4 am Maria don't you know me p
The Beggar-girl?'
'Ay'
But this is not your brother?' %
'It is. Ask him-ask him.
Young Antonio de Nantes had turn
ed scornfUl gaze upon the maiden.
but light passed across his face, as he
murmured:
oh, my sister"
is this your brother? asked Robes
pierre of the supposed beggar, advan-
cling near her.
1T is
y supposed him to be an aristocrat.'
Then you are mistaken. He is my
brother. Ask him.
Does Maria speak the truth p asked
Robespierre.
She does,' was the brothers reply.
And you are not De Nantes Why
did you not tell us of this before.
4 attempted to speak but was 81
lenced.'
But you might have declared your
seli.'
you would not have believed me.
But your dress
1T belonged to an aristOcrat Per
haps to him for whom was taken
Robespierre advanced close to young
Nantes, and gazed earnestly into his
face, then he approached Maria, and
/ looked steadily into her eyes fora short
/ time. 1t was moment of trial for the
poor girl. She trembled in spite of all
her efforts to be calm. She almost fell
/ that she was lost, when the humar
fiend whose words was law, turned ano
said:
Release this man"
/ The chains were instantly removed
/ and Antonio de Nantes walked down
! from the scafTold, followed by his sis
/ ter while shouts rent the air, for they
supposed it was the commoner wht
had thus been saved.
The young man worked his way
through the crowd as rapidly as posi-
BILE, leading Maria. They scarcely es
capped it before the poor girl tainted
from the intensity of feelings. The
brother scarcely knew what to do, bu
a hanu was laid upon his arm, and
voice said:
Bring her to my room again. She
will be safe here
The brother conveyed her to tht
apartments of the pauper, and asket
her:
Have you seen this female before
Yes know all about it, returned
the pauper. she borrowed my clothe
to save her lover. She has done it ant
l am glad
Before the noble sister returned t.
consciousness the brother had Learned
all. When she did so, they boil
sought secure quarters, after re
warding the Reggar-girl as had beer
promised.
DO you think Robespierre was real
/ ly deccived?' asked Maria de Nantes
Il think not returned the brother
Then why did he order your re
leaser
lie saw your plan. He admire
your courage. Could a fend have
done less ~
Perhaps this was the case. But
So, it was a deed OF mercy, aud tn
only one that the man ever did
you are right
Antonio de Nantes was not again al
rested, and lived happily with that sis
who had so nobly perilled her own lii
to save him by representing The beg
gar girl of Paris
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