New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-10-24

mined that the people should not want any
excuse for hating them.
1t was while these three WORTHLESS were
staggering through Paris. each with
sword at his side, and which he would draw
and use without compunction against any
stretching who offended him, although the
people were unarmed-for only noblemen
and soldiers carried steel--it was, be it
said, as these worthless staggered along
and beat themselves a path, if the way
farers did not run out OF the way with sutii-
Gent promptitude, that couple of peasant
girls Judging from their dress) entered
Paris and moved toward its centre.
Neither was more than eighteen, and the
younger seemed to be led by the other.
They carried their little wealth in two
homely packets, and as they moved eau
tiously on they spoke in whispers.
said she who was the leader: There Is a
statue of man on horseback at one end"
That must he the Pont Neuf. have
. heard them talk about it."
And beyond them are two high, square
towers, belonging to p church,
THE towers OF Notre Dame" said the
other, in a low, earnest voice. II can re-
member so well hearing about the great
square towers. Ali"
The cry was due to the speaker being
young, and still possessed OF the remains of
beauty.
Forgive mt!' cried the woman, hurryin z
past.
"Henriette," whispered the one of the two
peasant girls who seemed TO be led
"Henriette, she is wretched! l know the
voice of misery. Speak to her.
"Oh, yes; Wretched, indeed?' cried the
woman; "but not for ong-not for long.
have suffered much, but shall, neveltae-
lesa. he forgiyen"
Where are you eoingl" asked the elder
of the girls.
THE river" said the wild looking VIC
man, wearily-"the peaceful rivel!"
Would you drown yourself'' cried the
younger of the two girls, apparently sisters.
"Oh, yes" she said. Let me pass; do
not stay me, for 1 am so wretched.'
"Whyl" asked she who had been styled
Henriette.
II am forced by my husband to steal
he is one Jacques, aud my soul revolts IRON
him. l would sooner die-l would much
sooner die!p
Leave him." said Henrette; ''you can
but die if You are not able to gain bread"
Il have no money. Who would take me
under roof without a SOUP
''Henriette, give her some money" whis-
pered the younger peasant, who, while ap.
parently relying upon her companion for
material help, appeared to be the superior.
The other obediently took little leather
bag from her dress, opened il, and gave two
or three of the coins it contained TO the de-
spairing woman.
"No, no, nor cried the woman.
You will hurt us if you refuse said
Henriette; 'for you would prevent us help
ing you. Oh, we are sure you will be good,
and perhaps some day even happy!o
81 will try-l will fry har6f' and fbap
suddenly catching the right hand of the one
girl and the left of the other, she raised
both to her lips, kissed them hurriedly, and
fastened away.
"She is alonel" asked the younger girl.
Eyes, Louise. alone repeated the elder
"Poor thing"
Their hands met, and upon both faces
there was a sense OF inetiable gratitude
that they were together-that neither was
alone.
Are you thirstyl' asked Henriette.
slightly answered her companion.
"Sit down. Louise; there is curbstone
near us. Come"
She led the other carefully, set her down
upon the inhospitable seat, and said,
There is a nice shop opposite. will 6e
back in moment"
She stopped and kissed her after she had
seated her companion, then crossed the
roadway; and thus they were separated. tor
the Most Noble the Marquis of Presles had
seen Henriette, and had no scruples about
possessing himself of her.
He, the Right Honorable the Comte de
Mailly. and that other most noble the Mar
quis d'Estrees, had found it not all to their
dishonor, and quite in the nature of things,
that they should follow the two girls and +,
when the opportunity occurred that they
should fall upon the one in the shadow as
she was nearing the wine-shop, fling a cloak
over head, cast her into coach, and drive
OFF with the only human being in the world
that poor blind girl had to look after her.
For the poor girl Louise, sitting patiently
waiting on the curbstone, was blind
She kept the sightless eyes fixed in the
softened in the distance, and remained
smiling with that intentness which charac-
terizes those deprived of sight.
Slowly, however, first anxiety crept into
the oountenance, and then fear.
"Henriette" she cried in low voice.
No Henriette was there to hear.
Suddenly she was panic stricken and ut
tered the name of her companion time after
time, every repetition of the word becoming
more agonized.
"Heyday!" at last cried voice: what is
the stir"
Where is she9 Who are youl" asked the
voice.
"Canst not see9' it inquired again.
Good madam, l am blind"
'Blind~ replied La Frochard, for it was
that termagant
"Henriette, Henriette.'
And who is Henriette, pray theel" asked
La FrOchard.
my sister, madam. She was here only a
minute since, and now she does not seem to
hear me. Henriette, Henriette! She is in a
wine shop across the road"
May" said the woman, "there is no one
in there. So thou art blind p
'We are two poor orphans, good madam,
and we have come to Paris to seek our for
tune-st least, Henrietts has; and we love
each other dearly-most dearly. Oh, Henri
ette-dear Henriet.e !"
But the we'll known voice was not there
to make reply.
Blind and poor" thought La Frochard;
"ay, and pretty If now, she can sing, she
might bring in pretty piece of money, and
jacques would ngt 60 thirsty"
BY this time the poor girl had slipped to
the ground, and was sobbing terribly. She
had fallen into such despair, that she was
friend che had in the world.
Come with me-" said the miserable
wretch; 1--WE will soon find your sister. See
you, night is falling, and the streets are
dangerous after dark; so come with me.
Though, it's true, my house ia not a palace"
"Ah," cried the girl, "you forget am
blind; all places are equal to me! Henriette!
Henriette!'
I'VE will seek tor her Tomorrow" Wills
pered La Frochard. ',She has but missed
her way" az
The trusting, innocent creature held out
her right hand. a!