The Morning herald., 1876-08-07

haye been sent u takss NJ, Who wait ~
met and she 6insed 70 the soldieM, Who
stood like grim statues ranged along the
aide Of the yard, And a. she looked upon
Their. .stern Efsces That seemed never u have
known what pity was, her grief broke out
anew.
.'Oh, Louise my sister, my poor dar-
ling r. she wailed, as she covered her face
with her hands as If to shut out the sight Of
+ those who were to force her to leave France
4 and her sister, branded as fallen woman.
II tell you that you need not CO." insist
ed Marianne eagerly.
g"What do you mean 7" was the unhap-
( py girls question.
At this moment, the unfortunate priso-
ners whose names were on the list Of those
condemned to exile entered the courtyard,
accompanied by the officer Of the guard.
The kind hearted Sister Genevieve,
whose duty it was to inform the unhappy
creatures Of their hard fare, had remained d
within the prison walls, as if to spare her
self the pain Of seeing the poor creatures as
they were dragged away.
In order not to be overheard by the Off
cor, Marianne went close to the doctor and
whispered:
"Doctor, have pity on her and consent
to help me-"
Before she could say more or even hear
the physicians reply, the officer who. had
been consulting his list, said;
Il need another prisoner to complete the
list. Henriette Gerardp
"Henriette started as though she had
received blow, but before she could speak
Marianne ran towards the guard, saying:
"Here, monsieur"
The act took Henriette 30 completely by
surprise, that she could only give utterance
to . low cry, which sounded more like a
groan.
In an instant the doctor comprehended
all that Marianne would do, and although
the sacrifice was greater than seemed pos
sible for human being to make, he did not
attempt to prevent it, but grasped Henri
cite by the arm to prevent her from speak
ing.
"Your sisters fate depends upon your
silencep' he whispered, and under tie in
Auence of that magic name she was silent.
The officer motioned Marianne to take
her place with the other prisoners, but she
said, imploringly;
"Permit me. monsieur, to bid her last
farewell" .. ,,
"He motioned an impatient consent, and
Marianne, crossing over to Henriette,
folded her in a last embrace.
Now did the poor orphan fully under
stand all that the outcast had consented to
do for her, and much as she loved her sis
ter she could not accept the sacrifice.
hNo-no." she murmured. II cannot, l
will not consentV
"Hushp exclaimed Marianne, placing
her hand over companions mouth. 1T is
| not YOU whom save, Henriette, it is my
self. If 1 remain, Jacques will find me
again, and once in his power l should be
lost. You will remain, you will find
Louise. and you will both be saved"
Again did the spell which Louise's name
cast over Henriette prevent her from pro-
testing against the fearful sacrifice which
was being made for her, and she murmur-
ed her sisters name in dazed, happy
way.
'Here take this" said Marianne, as she
handed her the paper which only short
time before she had received with so many
expres SONS of delight.
It was the pardon which allowed her to
90 out of La Salpetriere free woman, and
now she was about to give itup that Hen
riette might be saved, and of her own free
will. she was about to 60 into voluntary
long exile.
"a greater love hath no man than this
that he lay down his life for his friend" il
| il written in the Book; but certainly Ma.
rianne's lsve and gratitude far exceeded
this, for she was booming herself to a whole
Lifetime of misery.
Henriette could not take the pardon sc
freely offered, and Marianne looked at the
doctor, as if to implore him to induce the
poor girl to dc so.
"Take it," he said, in a low voice
"Your sisters fate depends upon it."
| After some hesitation, Henriette took
the paper which Marianne had thrust into
her hand, and then flinging her arms
aro;und the woman who had thussaved her,
sobbed out her thanks.
At this most inopportune moment, Sister
|Geneyieye came slowly out Of the prison.
towards the two weeping girls.
"The Sister Superiorw calculated the
physician, in dismay. "Ali is lost"
aHeaven would not permit it" exclaim'
ed Henriette. :.
All felt that Marianne's generous action
could not be consummated, for there was
no hone that the good sister, who looked
mon deception as heinous crime, could