Salt Lake evening Democrat. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1885-1887, 1886-12-24
CHAPTER ri.
"CoME TO OUR AID, LADIES !'


joining his hands, "speak to me, in
heavens name, in the name OF her who
loved you 50 well, in the name Of"
The good chevalier did not dare go on.
The final appeal which he had made did
not seem to make any impression upon
the little girl. She remained motion
less her large, black eyes fixed upon
Francis, expressed fear and surprise her
lips parted to speak, but they quivered
and did not utter sound.
1t was a strange and touching sight !;
the tall, powerful man at the feet of the
fragile being. Cambremer, with his
tanned and sharp face, and bent down in
this humble posture, looked like medi-
;eval warrior kneeling before Il gothic
image OF the Virgin Mary.
81 have an idea !" exclaimed the ingen-
ious Cassonade.
The chevalier was so entirely taken up
with gazing at the child that he did not
at first grant the attention which it mer-
tied to this announcement
"There is woman who can help u.s."
resumed the grocer.
ga woman"
Eyes. sir, the child is afraid OF us be-
cause we are not like her mother; if, in
stead OF seeing your great mustache and
my fat phiz, she saw a mild-looking
woman's face, I'll bet that it would quiet
her at once
"You are right, perhaps, my friend"
replied Francis, rising cautiously, ''but l
do not know any one who can"
Our neghbors, they will do"
"Our neghbors?"
eyes, that good Madame Mongis and
her daughter, Mademoiselle, two angels
from heaven"
"True; have not thought of them,
muttered the chevalier, "but do you
think they would consent?''
"To come and console the little one?
am very sure OF it They take care OF
selves OF everything to help the poor.
They are just like sisters OF charity"
Eyes, yes, | know how knd-hearted
and devoted they are, but at this hour"
"Ah there's no danger but they are
up. You know that they toll day and
night, for they are far from rich poor
ladies!''
mo, and when | think that they
would never accept"
"Help? They are too proud for that,
for they are the widow and daughter OF
an army officer. That's easy to under
stand, you see! But let me manage the
matter, chevalier; | have but to 90 up
flight OF steps, that won't take long, and
in five minutes you'll see!
Cassonade, without waiting for reply,
darted toward the door and disappeared
with rapidity which his size would ap.
pear to render impossible.
As soon as he was alone with his
frightened charge, Francis went softly to
the further end OF the room to show her
that he had no wish to frighten her.
The child seemed to understand this, for
she did notFeem to be as much terrified
as before. Tears streamed down her
cheeks still, but her eyes were less wild,
and her sobs had ceased.
The chevalier thought that the prom
Use of Cassonade was working a happy
change, and he rejoiced in the hope OF
an approaching end to the dilemma.
His eXcitable brain was at work upon
the dark enigma OF the Odeon, and he
did not doubt that his kind neighbors
would succeed in inducing the child to
speak.
"She does not know that her poor
mother is dead" thought he, "but she
will tell Madame Mongs her name, and
the ogre's name, and where she lives,
and tomorrow"
The door opened and Cassonade re-
appeared, bringing in the dodgers from
the second story.
"Come to our aid, ladies" said Fran
els, eagerly, "this poor little girl"
81 know all about it, Monsieur Cam
bremen, and | thank you for having
thought of sending for me-" replied
Madame Mongis, holding out her hand
to him.
1t was easy to understand from merely
hearing the voice of the speaker, that
Cassonade had not exaggerated her good
qualities, and her face was like hen
voice. 1t would be hard to find Il more
gentle and sweeter countenance than
that OF the widow. She seemed to be
forty at most, and must have been ex,
tremely pretty; and the almost nun-like
simplicity of her attire only set off the
distinction OF her delicate and regular
features the more As for her daughter
she was a wonder OF beauty and grace
especially OF grace, for her fair hair anC
black eyes We're even less admirable
than the indetinable charm OF her entire
person.
Come, my dear child" said Nine
Mongis, going forward with a smile anC
open arms.
To the great establishment, and still
greater joy OF the chevalier, the little girl
instead of flying from this motherly call
let fall the curtain, which she haC
wrapped about her, made step or tw,
forward, still heaitating, but ended by