The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-01-14
UGLY MARGOT.
A Tale OF The French Revolution.

granddaughter, Margot. Margot was
smiable, cheerful, industrious, kind; she
possessed, In short, every feminine gift
save one. That one was beautyl She
was so ugly that the neighbors had given
her the name OF la vfLains tete. But Mar
got was a good girl, and did not murmur
at her deprivation. On the contrary, she
was thankful for her perfect health and
strength. She thought little of her ap-
pearance, or, indeed, OF herself at all, be-
ing always SO much occupied with her
duty. She was the best saponneuse in
the village. She washed the linen OF the
neighboring chateau, and her own and
grandmother's caps and "-erchiefs were
conspicuous for their whiteness and
dainty get-up. In spite of her ugliness
every one loved Margot.
ii.
Margot was eighteen years of age when
the peace of her village was disturbed by
the grim tocsin OF war. II was the stir
ring time of the great Revolution. Every
day tragic stories OF blood and flame
reached the ears of the villagers, but they
never dreamed that the disturbances
would pierce even to their sheltered re-
treat. One memorable day, however,
they were startled by summons from
their siegneur and the cure calling them
to the aid of the Royalists. Thencefor-
ward no sounds OF Joy were heard in that
once happy spot unless it were the saw
age shouts OF occasional triumph.
Many a gallant youth of the village lay
unburied on a distant battlefield; Others
after action returned home to die. As
the Venetian women were forbidden to
S~tI 4 L.. A
and performed all the duties of guard
mounting and patrolling like experienced
soldiers. Some, however, OF the more
adventurous, disguised as men, girded
on swords and mingled in the ranks,
leaving their infants and aged parents to
the care of those who, like our gentle ma
tured heroine, stayed at home.
Ill.
Nearer and nearer to the devoted vii.
lage swept the wild current of war, for
the wide-spreading force OF the Repub-
lican arms was now driving the gallant
Vendeans to the more remote and diff
cult positions. Margot's village became
the headquarters of one of the retreating
bodies of Royalists. All was hustle and
excitement. The seigneur, having es-
capped death in several desperate encoun-
ters, had reached again his own roof,
there to enjoy such measure Of repose
as his anxiety would allow him. The
general commanding, with his staff, was,
of course, lodged in the chateau. Margot
was appointed washerwoman to the w hole
establishment. This provided her with
ample employment for both day and
night, and put besides lot of money into
her pocket.
One night as the girl was busily pre-
pairing some linen, which was TO be de-
livered at the chateau on the following
day, she heard gentle knock at the
outer door. She raised the latch unhesi-
tatingly, but started back in dismay at
sight Of the figure standing there. 1t
was that of young soldier in the Repub-
lican uniform, unsrmed, with pale face
and CHASTITY wound upon his forehead.
One arm was bound with a coarse hand
kerchief and supported by his cravat,
which served rs sling. His feet were
bare, his clothes torn in several places
and covered with dust and mire. Hide
mel" he said, in hoarse, hurried whis-
per. Royalist though Margot was, she
could not Withstand this appeal. She
drew him quickly in and fastened the
door.
La Crosse (for such was the strangers
name), then told M rgot that he had that
day, after a skirmish in the neig hbor-
hood, been brought as prisoner to the
village. After a brief examination by
the Royalist officers, he had been thrust
into a wretched hovel. His guards had
kept careless watch, and he had contrived
to make his escape. While searching for
q hiding place, he had been attracted by
the light in the cottage window, and,
seeing through the lattice that there was
only young woman within, he had de-
termined to throw himself upon her pro-
lection. The poor fellow entreated Mar
got to shelter him. Not in vain. She
led him softly to her own little chamber,
and insisted on his occupying her bed.
She warmed some water, with which
she bathed his wounded forehead and
lacerated feet. She next bound up his
confused arm, then brought him food
and drink, of which he stood in sore
need. After that he fell asleep, and Mar
got, who had had by this time sufficient
experience to see that his wounds were
not dangerous, left him. She spent the
remainder of the night on an arm chair
by the kitchen fire, laying plans for her
guests complete escape.
Nv.
Morning dawned, and the wearied-out
man still slept. Margot, again busy in
her kitchen, was feeling strangely happy,
although she knew that she had put her.
self in peril OF punishment, should her
aiding and abetting be discovered. But,
as she opened the easement TO admit the
delicious morning air, she saw n sight
which struck a chill to her heart. Three
or four armed men were coming out OF a
cottage opposite, and she rightly conjec-
tured that these we're searching for their
escaped prisoner. Rushing To her room,
she shook the man awake and hurriedly
explained to him his danger. Then she
flung over him huge heap OF the un-
washed linen which lay there ready to
her hand, leaving only a small opening
At the back OF the bed through which he
had barely sufficient space to breathe.
She was just in timei When, a minute
later, the door of the cottage burst open,
and the soldiers appeared, the girls head
was bent over the wash tub in the kitchen.
The mems rough voices reused the old
grandmother IN the room within. With
n tarrifal arr ha hastenad into the