Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1880-04-01
-Yes, l want to look as near like you

lyOuuS,EtCA ouu uOD16 Matte dc Nantes
was clad in the rags of Marie, the Pau
per Of Paris. 3 lE lHeii
The history of Marie de Nantes was
sad one. Her father and two brothers
mad 'fallen victims to the remOrSeless
deeds OF the revolution, and third and
last brother had been seized. But of his
Iate sne was ignorant although she ex--
pected that 1t would be- similar to that
OF her other relatives. = He had been
torn from her side but few hours be-
fore.
After the exchange had been made tbe
pauper looked on the stockingless and
shoeless feet and ankles of the lady and
said:
THAT will never do. Your feet are
too white and delicate. Let me arrange
matters" al ia =
In few moments Marie was Drepared.
and in the filth and rags she emerged in
TO the street. a5- f.fs ,.l's sllIos
She now took her course back toward
the guillotiae, and at length reached the
square where the bloody work was still
going on. ast p 81
Gradually she forced her way through
the crowd. and nearer and nearer she
came to the scaffOld. -1as ~ 80
She even forced u laugh at some of
the remarks she heard around her. but
those laughs sounded strangely.
She now stopped within a few feet of
the platform. o. 1853
She sweptit with her eyes.
Her brother was not there.
| The cry now arose; Here comes an
other batch" "-s.-
| Her heart futtered violently, and she
felt deadly faintness creep oven her as
she heard the tramp of the doomed men
| approaching.
The crowd opened as the body of men
passed.
Marie gazed among them.
A low cry escaped her. --..r
Her brother was there.
But he walked proudly and fearlessIy
forward and ascended the very steps
which led to the block.
Up to this time the strength of poor
Marie had failed her, and she was una
bic to put her resolve into execution.
But now a sisters love sweIled up in
her breast and she again recovered her
strength. -.
She sprsng forward, bursting through
the line of guards and ran up the steps.
Grasping her brother by the hand, she
cried: Ns
What does this meanf It is only,
the arisIocracy that are to die"
Away, woman exclaimed one of the
Eexecutioners. i, s s.. ..7.r..,
NO. l will not awry until yos tell
me why my brother is here and bound.r~
your brother ?" was the echo.
"Yes, this is my brother
"Well, who are you ?" i-f f
Il am Marie. Don't you know me?"
~The pauperT
aye"
"But this is not your brOther."z
at is. Ask him-ask him.
Young Antonio de Nantes had turned
a scOrnful glance4up0n the maiden, but
q light passed atoace across his face, and
ne murmured:
"Oh. my sister,
~Is this your brother?r asked Robes
pierre of the supposed pauper, advan-
cling near her.
1T is"
"But his name is known differently"
Then you are mistaken. He is my
brother. Ask him." 7l
docs Marie speak the truth?v asked
Robespierre.
"She dOes,' was the brothers reply.
"And you are not Nantes -
81 tell you am her brother"
why did you not tell me this before?"
81 attempted to speak but was siIenced..
But you might have declared your
self"
"You would not have believed me-"
But your dress 2"
at belongs to an arist0crat Perhaps
to him for whom was taken" rf.
RObespierre advanced close to young
de Nantes and gazed earnestly in his
face. Then he approached Marie and
gazed ateadily into her eyes for short
time. 1-
/ 1t was moment of trial for the poor
girl She trembled in spite OF ali her,
efforts to be calm. She almost felt that
she was lost. when the human fiend
whose word was law, turned and said:
Release that man." t -
The chains were instantly removed.
and Antoine de Nantes walked down
from the scaffold, followed by his sister,
while the shouts of those around rent
the air, for they supposed it was a COM
moner who had thus been saved.
The young man worked his way
through the crowd as rapidly as pOssi-
BILE, leading Marie.
They had scarcely escaped it before
the poor girl tainted from the intensity
of her feelings.
The brother scarcely knew what to
do, but hand was laid on his arm, and
a voice said:
Bring her to my room. She viii be
safe there"
The brother conveyed her TO the apart
ment OF the pauper. and asked of her:
Have you seen the female before? ?"
Yes, know all about it" returned
the pauper. "She borrowed my clothes
to save her brother. She has done it
and am glad"
Before the noble sister had returned
to consciousness the brother had learn
ed all. When she did so, they both
sought secure quarters, after rewardinR
the beggar girl, as had been promised.
do you think Robespierre was really
deceived ?" ask Marie de Nantes. ~
Il think not" returned the brother.
Then why did he order your releasef-
He saw your plan. He admired YOUR
courage. Could fiend have done lessyp
Perhaps this was the case. But if
so, it was deed Of mercy, and the only
one that man ever did"
"You are right"
Antoine de Nantes was not again ar
rested, and lived happily with that sis
ter who had so nobly periled her own
life to save him by representing the
"Pauper of Paris"
Wicked for Clergymen.