The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1878-01-17
THE STAIN OF PARENTAGE.

In the woods forming what remains
pf the forest of Ardennes, about a mile
from small village called Solenthel, &
narrow path leads to high spot once
occupied by charcoal burners, but now
abandoned. 1t was a gloomy place.
The ground for about an acre was block,
where charcoal had been burned and
stored, while small fringe of greer
grass stretched itself forward from the
road, and commenced regaining the Lost
ground. In the center was a deep hole
ito be entered only on one side by a patti
of narrow dimensions. In this was 9
small hut, of wretched aspect, one oI
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 16, ,00O,.
900 of paupers. This hut had no win.
dow. 1t was curved in shape and close.
ly resembled wigwam of the poorest
class. 1t consisted of three poles stuck
m the ground, meeting at the top, these
tied together, and then, of course, thatcl
and mud. A hole was left in the top fol
the smoke to pass through. The floor
was OF mud. In one corner was pile
of straw, which, with two chairs and q
table, formed the whole of the furniture.
It was occupied by two women and q
large dog. At the moment when our
narrative commences only one was at
home. She was about fifty, poorly but
not meanly clad. She was clean, neat and
tidy, and she piled her needle with un-
ceasing energy. She was sewing for a
livelihood.
A short distance off, Oh the edge of
the wood, another woman, or rather a
young girl, dressed in the same manner,
was picking up wood and laying it in an
outspread cloth on the ground. She, too
piled her work industriously, for until
sufficient fuel had been collected she
could not cook their humble dinner.
Presently she seemed satisfied with what
she had done, and was about to proceed,
when two horsemen issued from the
wood and came along, walking their
horses slowly. One was young man,
about fige-and-twenty, rosy checked,
handsome and full of health the other
was ten years older, and evidently an
habitue of the boulevards and the cafes
OF Paris. His pale face, made paler by
the thin black mustache and Jet black
hair, his hollow, sunken eyes, spoke of
the man of late hours and pleasures.
His face was cold and repulsive, while
that of the other was open and frank.
What wretched occupation for so
pretty a girl" said the young man, rid
ing quickly on, so as to speak first !;
"surely, ma chere, you might put your
taper fingers to better use. Here's
will buy you frewood 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 skin, her blue
eyes, her curly, golden hair, her simple,
child like manner, was something he
had never seen before. Her expression
was timid, and yet proud, and looking
into her eyes, the young man was not
surprised at the reply he received.
Monsieur, have done nothing to
give you right to insult me. What
you have done may have been meant
kindly, but ask aims of no one.''
Pardon, mademoiselle, exclaimed
the other. confused and stammering.
A" i meant no insult. Pardon me, made
moiselle, / pray you. L thought you
poor, and my impulse was to aid YOU"
"Thank you, monsieur, for the first
kind word 1 have heard these fifteen
years, except from my own mother"
said the young girl. "But go your way,
or else the whole country will shun you
too."
"Begone, wretch p exclaimed the
other, riding up and raising his whip
menacingly; "begone, viper, and dare
not speak to an honest man."
The young man listened in amaze.
ment.
81 did not speak to monsieur mon
sieur spoke to me" said the girl gently,
with. however, smile of pity and con-
tempt.
"Raise your accursed lips to me
again." cried the other furiously, "and
l will scourge you with my whip.
".Monsieur is perhaps coward" said
the gentle girl, stung to anger for once,
turning at the same time to face his in
suits.
"What you dare answer me, and he
raised his hand again.
NAY, Edward, You would not hit a
woman?"
ga woman Do you call Madeleine
de Pierrepont. the child of the assassin
of my uncle Dubois, a woman? Say,
rather a fend," screamed the usually
calm dandy.
Madeleine de Pierrepont," replied
the other, staggering so that his friend
had to turn his assistance to him.