Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1883-09-20
PEER AND PEASANT

And you must leave us?" There
was a ring of despair in the voice Of
the woman who uttered these words,
and she raised her large, mournful,
dark eyes appealingly to the face Of
the handsome young man who stood
beside, leaning against giant forest
tree.
1t is necessary, Victorine; and
surely you would not have me stay for
ever in this little cabin, shut away
from the world like monk in a
cloister?"
You are not well yet," said the
girl. in low, hesitating voice.
Il am well enough to leave here,
where l am only burden" was the
rejoinder.
The dark eyes fllei with sudden
tears.
"You are unkind to say that, Hugo.
What we have done for You has been
done cheerfully."
But your father is a poor man,
Victorine. He cannot but feel the
support of stranger very burden
some. And he refuses to accept any
return
my father is proud" said Victor
Inc, and does not wish payment for
the favors he bestows. And the pleas
ure Of your society has been worth
much to him. He has often said that
but for you he would have been very
lonely"
"What did he do for company before
I came?' asked the young man. "He
has lived ten years in this hut, he
says"
"Ten very unhappy years, Hugo.
The loneliness has seemed to him
sometimes greater than he could
bear"
Well, certainly he has had no
chance to be lonely lately" said Hugo,
in tone ofsignifcance.
Victorine's face paled suddenly.
"Tell me-" she said, laying her hand
on her companions arm, "why do
these strange men come here night
after night? My father will answer
no questions. He says women should
not concern themselves with such
things, and he sends me to bed that 1
may not hear what they say. But you
know all, Hugo. He confides in you,
and you will tell me, I am sure
Hugo shook his head.
al would willingly do so,'' he said,
"but l promised your father that [
would tell you nothing, and I cannot
break my word"
"These are dangerous days." said
Victorine, "and there is a constant
dread at my heart that my father will
join the insurgents. Ledru Rollin,
who leads the Red Republicans, is
always wanting more men, and the
fact that these strangers come here so
frequently fills me with alarm"
"Then your sympathies are with
our-with the throne?" said Hugo,
eagerly.
Eyes; and yet 1 know how much
cause the people have to complain.
They need help; but can help come to
them only through blood and riot? Is
there not some other way in which
their condition could be improved?"
"They have taken matters into their
own hands," said Hugo; " it is too late
to help them now,' AMI he sighed
heavily.
A silence fell between them, broken
only by the call of the night birds
through the forest. All was strangely
still. A few yards away stood the lit
tie cabin which had Ieen Victorine's
home for ten long years. Henri Raj
was absent, and therefore no light
cleaned from the windows of his
home. II stood dark and desolate be-
meath the tall forest trees which sur
rounded it.
Moved by a sudden impulse Hugo
put out his arm AMI drew Victorine
close to his side.
"The time has come for US to say
goodbye" he murmured, brokenly.
"Oh, do not forget me when am far
away, Victorine."
She started from him with faint
cry.
"You are not going nowp' she ex-
claimed. "Ob, Hugo, it cannot be pos
sible that you are to leave me 50
soon?"
Il dreaded telling you Of my de-
parture until l could delay no longer,
Victorine. My heart aches at the
thought of leaving you; but l must
be in Paris tomorrow. Business Of
Importance calls me there. Give me
your good wishes before go. ! shall
think Of you as | journey forward to-
night, and picture you sleeping here,
undisturbed by battle and carnage"
She did not speak. With both hands
clasped over her heart she stood like
beautiful statue before him, her eyes
staring straight efore her, and her
breath coming in short, quisk gasps.
"Must I leave You in silence, then,
Victorine? Win you not speak