Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-02-03
The Stain of ParentdOe.


The iStuin of PdrentdOe.
In the woods forming what remains Of
the forest of Ardennes, about mile from
a small village called Solenthel, narrow
path leads to high spot once occupied
by charcoal burners, but now abandoned
It was gloomy place. The ground fol
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 a.:deep hole,to be entered only one side
by 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 wigwam
Of the poorest class. It 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 outfifty, poorly
but not meanly clad. She was clean,
neat and tidy, and she piled her needle
with unccasing energy. She was sewing
for llveliehood.
A short distance off, 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
emily 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 a young man, about fve-and-
twenty, rosy-cheeked, 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-
pulsive, while that of the other was open
and frank.
''Whatawrctched occupation for so pref
ty girl" said the young man, riding
quickly on, so as to speak first; "surely,
ae chere, you might put your taper fin
firewood 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 tim1d
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 a right to insult me. What you have
done may have been meant kindly, bat !
ask aims of no one"
''Pardon, NE mademoiselle, I" exclaim-
ed the other, confused and stammering
" meant no insult. Pardon me, made
moiselle, pray you. the ought you
poor, and my impulse was to aid you''
"Thank you monsieur for the first kind
word I 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!" exclaimed the other,
riding up and raising his whip menacing
ly; begone, viper, and dare not not
speak to an honest man."
The young man listened in amazcment
81 did not speak to monsieur; monsieur
spoke to me" said the girl gently, with,
however, smile of pity and contempt.
"Raise your accused lips to me again, u
cried the other furiously, "and l will
scourge you with my whip"
Monsieur is perhaps a 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 nv
uncle Dubois, woman? Say, rather a
tiend," screamed the usually calm dandy.
Madeleine de Pierrepont," replied the
other, staggering so that his friend had to
turn his assistance to linn. "Madeleine
de Pierrepont? And this is Madeleine de
Pierrepont! Truly" he muttered, as he
remounted his horse. "she is not woman
The other initiated him, and they rode
off, leaving the young girl to Weap alone
In few minutes, however, she iped bel
eyes, and then, fearful that she might be
suspected Of appropriating the gold piece
she took it up, wrapped it in piece
of paper, with the intention of return.
ing it to its owner. She then lifted ur
her bundle and walked slowly towards
the hut.
sTell me the story Of this girl,' sale
the young man gravely.
The other told it: ''Fifteen years be-
fore the father of Madeline de Pierrepont
and Monsieur Dubois, rich proprietor
had been intimate friends. De Pierrepont
was comfortably off, from the fact Of his
having several occupations. He was col.
1ector Of rent Of rich member of his
royal family; he was tax gatherer and
adjoint to the Hare. The Hare was M
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