Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1871-08-24

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too white and delicate. Let me arrange
matters
In few momen Marie was prepared.
and in filth and rags she emerged into
the strte Size now took her course back 10
the guillotine, and at length reached
the square where the bloody work was
still going on. Gradually she forced her
way through the crowd, and nearer she
came to the scaffold. She even forced a
laugh at several remarks she heard around
her, but those laughs sounded strangely.
! She now stood ithin the platform. swept
with her eyes, bat her brother was not
there. The cry was raised.
Her hear. futtered violently. and she
fe 1t faintness come over her as she
heard sLe tramp of the doomed man APP
Eproaehing. Her brother walked proudly
and fearlessly forward and assembled the
very steps that led to the block. Marie's
heart failed her, and she was unable to
put her resolve into execution. But now
sisters love sweled up in her heart.
and she recovered Ter strength. She
sprang forward. bursting through the
line of guards, and ran up the steps.
Grasping her brother by the hands, she
cried !:
What does this mean :? 1t is only the
| aristocrats that are to- de-
Away woman, exclaimed one of the
executioners.
| No; I will not 60 away until you tell
me why my Brother is bound
Your brother, was an echo
We'll, who are. you z
I am Marie don't you know me 2
'The Beggar Girl 2
Aye
But this is not your brother 2
1t is. Ask him-ask him.
Young Antonio de Nantes had turned
scornful glance upon the maiden. but
light crossed his face as be murmured.
o, My sister,
is this your brother?' asked Rob es-
pierre of the supposed beggar, advancing
near her.
1T is
Does Nfarie speak the trutb?' asked
sRobcsp ieEe.
'she does,' was the brothers. reply.
Are you de Nantes2'
! tell you / am her brother
why did you not tell as of this be-
fore.
1 attempted to speak, but was S j.
fenced.
But you might have declared your
SELF
you would not have believed me
But your dress?'
1t belongs to an aristocrat Perhaps
to him for whom I was taken
Robespierre advanced close to young
Nantes, ara gazed earnestly into bis face.
then he approached Marie, and looked
stead lily iu her eyes for short time. It
was a moment of trial to the Poor girl.
She trembled in spite of all her efforts
to BE- calm. She almost felt tina she was
lost, when the human fend, whose word
was law, turned and said.
Release the man
The chains were instantly removed anu
Antonio de Nantes walked down from
the scafold, followed by his sister, while
shcSts rent tn e air, for they Supposed he
was a commoner who had thus been saved
The young man worked his way through
the crowd as rapidly as possible. lead ing
Marie. -They scarcely escaped it before
the poor girl tainted from the inten-
sity of feeling. The brother scarce
ly knew what to do, but hand was laid
upon his arm, and voice said.
Bring her to my room again. She will
be safe there
The brother conveyed her TO the apart
ment of the pauper, and asked of her.
sHave You seen the female before?
Yes, | know all about it, returned
the pauper. She has done it, and l am
glad
Before the noble lazy had returned to
consciousness the brother had learned all.
When she did so. they both sought more
secure quarters, after rewardipg the teggal
girl, as promised.
DO you think Robsspierre was really
deceived?' asked Marie de Nantes.
| think not, returned the brother.
He saw your plan. He adm ired your
courage Could fend have doae less.
Perhaps this was the case. but if so
it was deed Of mercy. and is the only
one that man ever did.
You are right
Antoni 10 de Nantes was not again ar
rested, and lived happily with that sister
who had SO nobly per lied her own life to
save him. by representing the Begg1r
Gnlof Paris.