The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1875-11-10

ne lowers VI NOLfc DaLhe, SaIu
the other, in low, earnest voice.
II can remember so well hearing
aboht the great, square towers.
Ahp Yl~
The cry was due to the speaker
being pushed against by well-look
ing woman, young, and still possessed
of Che remains of beauty.
"Forgive mer' cried the woman,
hurrying past.
"Henriette," whispered the one Of
the two peasant girls who seemed to
be led-"Henriette, she is wretched!
I know the voice of misery. Speak
to herr
ooh, yes; wretched, indeedw cried
the; "but not for long mot for long.
I have suffered much, but shall, new
ertheless, lie forgiven!'
"Where are you going!' asked the
elder of the girls.
"The riyer!' said the wild look
ing woman, wearily-."the peaceful
riverm
"Woald you drown yourself?"
cried the younger of the two girls,
apparently sisters.
| ooh, yes" she said. Let me pass
do not stay me, for I am so wretch
ed.
"Why?" asked she who had been
styled Henriette.
81 am forced by my husband to
steal-he is one Jacques, and my
soul revolts from him. ! would
much sooner die!'
'Leave him, said Henriette 'you
can but die if you are not able to
gain bread" seqe asa
II have no money. Who would
take me under a roof without good
soul?" IA, sA an.
| "Henriette, give her some money"
whispered the younger peasant, who,
while apparently relying upon hel
companion for material help appear.
ed to be the superior.
| The other obediently took little
leather bag from her dress, opened
; it, and gave two or three Of the coins
it contained to the despairing woman
/ "No, no, nor cried the woman.
"You will hurt us if you refuse,
said Henriette; "for you would pre-
vent us helping you. Oh, We arr
sure you will be good, and perhaps
some day even happy!"
81 will try will try hardr' ant
then suddenly catching the RICH
hand of the one girl and the left o
the other, she raised both to her lip
kissed them hurriedly, and hastenet
away.
"She is alone?'' asked the younge
girl.
eyes, Louise, alone" repeated tn
elder.
! "Poor thing"
Their hands met, and upon boil
faces there was a sense Of ineffabl
: gratitude that they were together
: that neither was alone.
care you thirsty2' asked Henri
cite.
!, slightly" answered her compan
: ion. E
"Sit down, Louise; there is curt
: stone near us. Come"
She led the other carefully, set lie
1 down upon the inhospitable seat, an
\ said, "There is nice shop oppe
t site. / will be back in moment"
! She stopped and kissed her ate
L she had seated, her companion, the
t crossed the roadway; and thus the
+ were separated, for the Most Nobl
e the Marquis of Presles had seen Her
e riette, and had no scruples abor
possessing himself of her.
S He, the Light Honorable the Cont
h de Mailly, and that other most mob
h the Marquis distress, had found
J. not all to their dishonor, and quit
o in the nature Of things, that the
e should follow the two girls, and whe
n the opportunity occurred that the
e should fall upon the one in the shat
d ow as she was nearing the wine she
if fling a cloak over head, cast her mi
e Ia coach, and drive off with the onl
It human being in. the world that
g poor blind girl had to look aft
d her. t7a
For the poor girl Louise, sittir
., patiently waiting on the curbston
y was blind.
le She kept the sightless eyes fixt
d in the direction whence Henriette
y footsteps had softened in the di
lance, and remained smiling vii
1 .as.- IA l. 81