Delaware Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1843-1874, 1874-01-05
MADAME IMAGINATION,
s1HAseE STORY OF HER ROMANTIC LII

sTRASsE STORY OF HER ROMANTIC LITE,
Every afternoon between two aad three
o'clock, portly-looking lady, with kindly ex.
preston Of countenance, with large blue eyes
and hair slightly lnged with gray, may be seen
to leave the executive mansion at Versailles,
leading little gill by the hand, and deyolns her
attention to number of poor people who seem
to have waited for her, aud among whom she
and her pretty little companion then distribute
aims, addressing ii few benevolent words to
each of the recipients OF their charities
When the two, whom the most casual observer
Will at once recoghiLe to be mother and daugh.
ter, appear, the two sentinels present arms
They leisurely walk down the superb avenue,
and move among the other promenaders In the
most unostentatious manner, standing still and
exchanging few pleasant words with acquain-
tances, But ior the glauces which the most oi
passers-by send after the lady, you would be.
lieve that she was The wife of some govern.
ment employee-perhaps of deputy In the Ma.
tional Asseinbly--for she wears simple black
dress, and her bonnet, though faultless in
shape, can't have cost many dollars. And yet she
is at The present time the foremost laGy In
France, the consorl of Marshal NTacMahon
President Of the French Republic. The career
of this eminent lady, although the papers have
had very little 10 say about her, has neverthe-
less been an eventtul one, and in her present
exalted station, Notwithstanding her quiet uu-
obtruslve demeanor, she is known to exert q
monsntous influence upon the decisions of her
husband. The latter admires pluck, and il
may be truly said that he has most plucky
wife. Indeed, 1t was an act of heroism on her
part that first attracted his attention toward her
1t was on the 1st of December, 1888, al an ad-
vanced hour of the night that fire broke out
In the Female Seminary of Limoges. The
flames spread with such rapidity that the fail
inmates could be rescued only with the creates
difficulty. At last when all OF them were be.
lieved to be assembled, shiyering In their thir
night dresses, in front of the burning ediice
the cry resounded suddenly, Louise diBaiiey il
still in the building !" The lookers-on stood
as if petrifed, and the firemen did not venture
to enter the house, which now looked like
fiery furnace. Poor Madamoselle de Bailey
was already given up as hopelessiy lost, when al
OF sudden tail young girl, with her blond,
hair hanging loOso over her shoulders, and he
| deep blue eyes flashing out the heavenly hre o
/ inspiration and indomitable courage, rushed
from among her terrified young sisters and ex
claiming, 81 will try to find her !" ran towar
| the building. A thousand voices shouted, "D
not risk your life thRs foolishly! ~ Other
prayed for dear Heloise, who thus reckless
| iisked her own life in order to save that Of on
| Of her young classmates. But none OF tn
warning EXPLANATIONS deferred the heroic gil
from her purpose. In few seconds she ha
entered the front door, undaunted by the blind
ing smoke and the flames that were moments
rily gsining ground. For the spectators of th
thrilling scene this was moment OF suprein
suspense. The strongest hearts quailed whe
the heroic girl did not Immediately return.
minute, nay, two, elapsed, and minutes undo
such circumstances are eternities. But all
once her white night-gown appeared in IL
door. And by the hand she led the missin:
, terrified Louise de Bailey. Such shout
was sent up from tho hearts Of the relieve
, crowd. Such praises as were showered ups
J the brave young girl. But she herself was ha
ashamed OF being thus feted "Mon Dieu
,, she exclaimed, ''it was enough for me to ascen
, that stairway; 1t was not yet on fire. Only Il
smoke troubled me a little. Had waited
minute longer, poor little Louise would be,
been lost. At the re-opening Of the sen
mary, a few months later, III. SarIegun aske
Madamoiselle Heloise to step forward, and pr
sented herin the name of King Louis Fnillipp
J handsome gold medal for saving human lii
andpraised her courage and devotion in eloquei
term. of enthusiasm. Tho girl thus honore
blushed deeply, and when the hall in which Ii
opening ceremonies were held resounded wit
! heartfelt applause, Madame Heloise was mol
confused than at the memorable moment whe
she had rushed in the flames. Among the spe