The herald., 1894-12-27
MARIE.

many hOpio oAoAipiOS VI oAcOoioA GA
hibited.
The very streets of Paris were delug
ed with human blood, but near the gull
lotine it ran in gushing torrents.
One dark morning an unusual mum
Der of the aristocracy had been marched
forth, and countless heads rolled from
the block.
A gaping multitude stood by, an6
with shouts rent the air as the aristoc.
racy were thus butchered.
Among the assembled multitude that
dreary morning were two women. One
of them was plainly clad, while cloak
was thrown around her, with which
she kept her features nearly concealed.
But close observation would betray
tho fact that the woman had been weep.
ing.
Her eyes were infamed and red, and
she gazed eagerly upon the platform,
while q shudder passed over her frame
as each shock of tho glittering knife
severed the head from the body of some
one who had been unfortunate enough
to fall under the ban of the leaders.
The face of the woman was very beau
tiful, and she was young. certainly not
more than l6 or Is years of age.
Tho other woman was quite different
in character Her face was fair, but
thero was hrazen expression about it.
She was clad in rags, and as each head
fell she would dance, and in various
ways express her delight, and then ex-
claim:
'There falls another aristocrat who
refused me charity when humbly sued
to himp'
Each expression Of the kind would
create laugh from those who heard
her, but any thoughtful person must
wonder how one so young could have
become so depraved.
The first woman watched this crea-
turo for Il few moments, and then press
ing her way to her side she laid her
hand upon the shoulder of the wretch
and whispered:
would you like to become rich at
once?"
Tho woman in rags turned about with
a look Of surprise, burst into a loud
laugh and then replied:
"Of course l would. "
"Follow me, and you shall be-"
Enough. Lead on
1t was with considerable difficulty
that the females eXtricated themselves
from tho crowd, but they did so at
length, and then the first woman asked
of the other:
"What shall call you?"
"Oh, I'm called the beggar girl Ma
rio!"
"You live by begging?'
eyes; but what's your name, and
what do you want:''
my name is Marie, the same as your
own. "
''Are you an aristocrat?"
''It does not matter. If you know
whore we can find room, lead me to
it, and you shall have gold.
The pauper led the way into a mar
row and filthy street and then down
into cellar and into dark and filthy
room.
The other woman could not but feel
a sickening sensation creep over her,
but she recovered herself. After contem-
plating for time the apartment and
what it contained she asked:
''Are you we'll known in Paris?"
eyes, everybody knows Marie, the
beggar girl"
''Are you known to Robespierre? If
so, | want to make bargain with you.
what Il :-l,
You see my clothing is better than
your own, and l wish to exchange with
you. / want you to consent to remain
here, and lot to show yourself at all for
a short time, or until | come to you
again. As recompense for aiding me
will give you 1000 francs, and when l
come back will give you 1000 more.
AS security for my return, take this
ring"
The lady drew diamond ring from
her finger and gave it to tho beggar
girl Then she handed her purse con-
tanning gold.
The girl appeared a little puzzled
and asked:
"Well, what are you going to do with
my dress?"
81 want to put it on and go where
/ first met you. l."
''Oh, understand now. You want to
see the chopping go on, and You are
afraid you will be taken for an aristo-
crat if you wear that dress. You want
to represent me?"
Yes. I want to look as near like you
SC possible. -
Well, that won't be very difficult.
Your hair and eyes and even your
mouth are like mine. Your face is too
white, though. But you can alter that
with little dirt. -
They exchanged dresses, and soon the
young, rich and noble Marie de Nantes
was clad in the rags Of Marie, the beg
gar girl of Paris.
The history of Marie do Nantes was a
sad one. Her father and two brothers
had fallen victims to the remorseless
icnds Of the revolution, and third and
last brother had been seized. But Of his
fato she was ignorant, although she ex-
pected that it would be similar to that
IF her other relatives. Eo had been torn
rom her side but few hours before.
After the exchange had been made
the pauper looked on the stockingless
and shoeless feet and ankles of the lady
and said;