The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1878-12-11
ALEXANDRIA, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER H. 1873 ANOll6

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She sought work, but. could ohta,l
none. Vice extended her arms; hn
There are souls whose instincts ar
so honest they shrink from even th
thought, and can remain patient eve
whi.e starving.
"Time. passed. At length ever,
cent was gone, and for twenty fon
hours no particle Of food passed he
lips. Oh. Frederick! you who hav,
never known hunger and misery cal
not understand the suffering / NIGH
picture, can not know the pain en-
dured when forced to beg-and tt
inp'ore aims the girl was compelled
Az dark, one evenicg, she crept for,l
from her lodgings; the night wa.
cold and rainy. In her desperation
she accosted young man, who halt
ed, searched his pockets and ther
threw her coin. The stranger die
not even deign to touch her hand
the look of misery and distress OF
Tended his eye. At this instant q
gendarme perceived the girl.
Come" he said. Il arrest you 70,
begging. You will follow me to the
lookup"
At these words cry Of despair
was wruns from the lips ofthe I'm
fortunate girl. Quickly the young
man interposed.
''This young girl is an acquain.
lance of mine: ! know her; there is
no begging in the, question. "Come"
he continued, addressing the young
and trembling woman, sit is time
you were at home. Do not fear; il
is only a misteke on the part of this
good guardian of. the public peace"
Leaning on the arm of the stran-
ger, the girl walked on.
"Do not fear, MademoiselIe" whiss,
pered the young man., placing a
purse in the hand that lay upon his.
Il will accompany you until we are
out of sight Of this Cerberus.''
"Why! / remember the grip exs
claimed De la Tour.
"And also know the man."
Il do; it was no other than my
self"
''True. AS we passed under one
OF the street lamps / saw your face,
and its every feature became inn
pressed upon my mind. You have
saved my life-perhaps even my yer,
honor-and l had reason to remem
Der YOU
ITO remember mc2'' i'i
Indeed, yes. You little thought
that q woman to whom you gave
aims and protection would become
Lady Melville, and was your future
Wife" 'lt
"This does indeed seem like a
dream" said de la Tour. ,j9E
ITO you; butte me. it is reality"
"And you-so beautiful, SO truly
lovely, begged in the open streets7s
"0nce, and onceionly."
81 did not see your face"
mo, for it was covered by a heavy
veil. On the following day-one, in
act, that | regard as among the
iappiest, in my life-an old lady in
whom / had fortunately inspired
and some interest, engaged
ne as her seamstress. Ny gaiety
'eturned. From the service I have
famed was raised to the position
# companion and confidential friend.
)ne day | was presented to a friend
If my patroness Lord Melville.
lie was a man of about sixty, tall,
hin, but of dignified bearing.
'Madamoiselle,' he said to me, 4
znow your history; will you marry
ne?'
Marry you? questioned with
much surprise.
"'Yes, I have an immense estate,
which do not wish my nephew to
inherit. My health is delicate and
ny life lonely. If l can credit all i
rave been told, you are good and
'ure. VIII you be Lady MelyilleY
Il loved you, Frederick, who knew
lot of my existence. I loved you,
| had seen you but once.
could not forget, ard there was
something in my heart and soul that
old me we would meet again, that
'ur lives would run in the self-sape
'urrent; how, knew not and yet l
'elt sure. When / looked at Lord
Melville, and saw the resoIate ex,
preston on his face, / feared that
le wished to usry me sinpiy to
larry oat! his revenge,