The Evening dispatch. [volume] (Provo, City, Utah) 1891-1895, 1894-12-26
MARIE.

ing performed, even by women, anG
many noble examples of affection ex.
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 num-
Der of the aristocracy had been marched
forth, and countless heads rolled from
the block.
A gaping multitude stood by, and
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
the fact that the woman had been weep
ing.
Her eyes were infamed and red, ana
she gazed eagerly upon the platform,
while shudder passed over her frame
as each shock of the 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 16 or Is years of age.
The other woman was quite different
in character. Her face was fair, but
there was brazen 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 deprayed.
The first woman watched this orea-
ture for 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?''
The woman in rags turned about with
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 the 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
riel"
"You live by begging?"
Eyes; but what's your name, and
what do you want?'
my name is Marie, thesame as your
own. -"
care you an aristocrat?"
cit does not matter If you know
where we can find room, lead me to
it, and you shall have gold.
The pauper led the way into mar
row and filthy street and then dowr
into cellar and into dark and filthy
room.
The other woman could not but fec
sickening sensation creep OYER her,
but she recovered herself. After cGntem-
plating for time the apartment and
what it contained she asked
care you we'll known in Parish"
eyes, everybody knows Marie, the
beggar girl. -
"Are you known to Robespierre? If
SO, want to make a bargain with you.
81 am. What do you wish?"
"You see my clothing is better than
your own, and wish to exchange with
you. want you to consent to remain
here, and not to show yourself at all for
a short time, or until I come to you
again. AS recompense for aiding me
will give you 1000 francs, and when 1
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 the beggar
girl Then she handed her a purse con.
tanning gold.
The girl appeared little puzzled
and asked:
"Well, what are you going to do with
my dress?"
''1 want to put it on and go where
I first met you.
ooh, l 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 mea''
Yes want to look as near like you
as possible. "
We'll, 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 de Nantes was q
sad one. Her father and two brothers
had fallen victims to the remorseless
fends of the revolution, and third AND
last brother had been seized. But OF his
fate she was ignorant, although she ex-
pected that it would be similar to that
of her other relatives. He had been tsrn
from her side but a few hours before.
After the exchange had been made
the pauper locked on the stookingles;
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.
In few moments Marie was pre-
pared, and in the filth and rags sb'
emerged into the street.
She now took her course back toward
the guillotine, and at length reached