The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1878-02-14
LITERARY
THE STAIN OF PARENTAGE,


THE STAIN OF PARENTAGE,
In the woods forming what remains of
the forest OF Ardennes, about a mile from
q small village called Solenthel, a narrow
path leads to high spot once occupied
by charcoal burners, but now abandoned.
It was gloomy place. The ground for
about an acre was black where charcoal
had been burned and stored, while a
small fringe of green grass stretched itself
forward from the road, and commenced
regaining the lost ground. In the centre
was deep hole, 10 be entered only one side
bv narrow dimensions In this was a
small hut. of wretched aspect, one of the
millions in France, where glitter and glory
hide misery worse than that of Ireland
in her worst days, where sound and show
conceal from us 100000 of paupers.
This hut had no window. 1t was curved
in shape and closely resembled a wigwam
of the poorest class. 1t consisted of
three poles stuck in the ground, meeting
at the top, these tied together, and then,
Of course thatch and mud. A hole was
left in the top, for the smoke to to pass
through. The floor was of mud. In one
corner was pile of straw, which, with
two chairs and table, formed the whole
of the furniture. It was occupied by two
women and large dog. At the moment
when our narrative commences one only
was at home. She was about fifty, poorly
but not meanly clad. She was clean,
neat and tidy. and she piled her needle
with unceasing energy. She was sewing
for lveliehood.
A short distance of, on the edge of the
wood, another woman, or rather young
girl, dressed in the same manner, was
picking up wood and laying it in an out
spread cloth on the ground. She, too,
piled her work industriously, for until
sufficient fuel had been collected she
could not cook her humble dinner. Pres
entity she seemed satisfied with what she
had done, and was about to proceed, when
two horscmen issued from the wood and
came a,ong, walking their horses slowly.
One was young man, about tivc-and-
twenty, osy-chceked, handsome and full
Of health; the other was ten years older,
and evidently an habitue of the boule-
wards and the cafes of Paris. His pale
face, made palcr by thin black mus
tache and jet black hair, his hollow, sun
ken eyes, spoke Of the man Of late hours
and pleasures. His face was cold and re-
pulsiye, while that of the other was open
and frank.
"What wrctched occupation for SO pref
ty girl" said the young man, riding
quickly on, so rs to speak first; "surely,
ma chere, you might put your taper fin
gers to better use. Here's will buy you
irewood for months"
And he cast double Napoleon at her
feet.
The girl raised her angelic face to his
sadly, reproachfully. She was about
eighteen. Her white skim. her blue eyes,
her curly golden hair, her simple, child
like manner, was something he had never
seen before. Her expression was timld
and vet proud, and looking into her eyes
the Young man was not surprised ut the
reply he received.
'.Monsieur, have done nothing to give
you right to insult me. What you have
done may have been meant kindly, bit
ask aims Of no one"
"Pardon, me mademoiselle, exclaim
cd the other, confused and stammering
meant no insult. Pardon me, made
moiselle, pray you. the ought yor
poor, and my impulse was to aid YOU
"Thank YOU monsieur for the first kline
word l have heard these fifteen years
except from my own mother" said thu
young girl. But go your way. or els,
the whole country will shun you too"
"Begonc wretch" exclaimed the other
riding up and Rising his whip menacing
ly;" bcgone, viper, and dare not no
speak to an honest man."
The young man listened in amazemen'
II did not speak to monsieur: monsieu
spoke to me-" said the girl gently, with
however, a smile OF pity and contempt.
"Ra;se your accursed lips to me again,
cried the other furiously. land l vii
scourge you with my whip"
Monsieur is perhaps q coward SAT-
the gentle girl. stung to anger for once
turning al the same time to face his in
suits.
What. you dare answer me" and h
raised his hand again.
NAY, Edward, you would not hit
womsni"
"A woman, Do you call Madeleine
Pierrepons, the child of the assassin of m
uncle Dubois, womanl Say, rather
tend.' screamed the usually calm dandy
Madeleine de Pierrepont," replied tn
other, staggering So that his friend had
turn his assistance to him. "Madelein
de Picrreponsl Aud this is Madeleine d
Pierrepoat. Truly" he muttered. As /
rcmounted his horse. ''she is not . woman
The other initiated him, and they roo
off, leaving the young girl to " cap alon
In few minutes, however, she wiped h
eyes, aud then, fearful that she might
suspccsei of appropriating the gold piec
she took it up, wrapped it IN pie
Of paper, with the intention Of retun