The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-06-16

the village who would not have rejoiced
to hear Of the black lady's death
The next winter an epidemic Of scarlet
Fever broke out. IL came because no
one had been careful to keep the cottages
clean; but some thought that the black
lady sent II. We Young ones never ques-
toned that she did.
Il shall never forget the evening of the
twenty-third OF December. / was stand
ing on little bridge near my fathers
chalet, looking a the stars, which shone
like very bright jewels In a blue-blac
sky. when some boys passed behind me.
" The black lady has gone 10 buy things
in Lucerne.' one of lem said. but she
will never be able 10 get home again.
Rene has taken away his boat. he SAYS
he won't row her across the red lake any
She can go by the wood said anoth-
IAN. yes said the first; but she Is
afraid 10 pass through cur village now
always takes the other road. And to-
night II Is cold; the path IS thick with
snow. When she sees there Is no boat
she will try to come back, and wander
about. and be lost.
There was a boy among the others
called Maurice the son of the pastor.
His mother was dead, and he had no
brothers and sisters. We all felt sly Of
him. because he had not lived in the vii
iage as long as the rest or us, ana We
thought his learning was quite danger
night. after the others had rejoiced over
the idea OF the black lady being lost,
his voice was heard saying very loud IL
is a great shame
1--WE all started some girls nad now now
come up and Joined the group, and they
were surprised too. You do NOT kho"
vet hon much courage II requires for one
person. all alone in a crowd OF cruel. SUI
perstitious people TO say word IN oe-
fence of the unfortunate.
".What business is il OF yours? the
boys cried
ut is every ones business 10 prevent
wlckedness.' said Maurice.
"'You cannot prevent IT, they shouted,
and one Of them threw some pebbles at
him. while the rest screamed, lie is a
friend OF the black lady's; he IS as bad as
"Nraurice held his ground but he looked
very pafe. squeezed through the crowd
Of boys and girls and went up 10 nm
"'Eie IS not friend OF the ladys, l
said. He is far better than any OF you.
lie went down into the pit 70 save my
kitten when / was afraid, and some OF
you threw stones.
Maurice pressed my hand when l said
this, and the girls cried .s Mario.
tortoIse-shel kitten. He is not a coward.
VERY little changes the feeling o, q
crowd some new as co idzG and 0 their
suppers were waiting for them. They
ali scattered I'm different directions. ana
Maurice and were left by ourselves on
81 am going over 10 save the black
lady.' he said. She could not come
through the village; they would tollow
her and brighten her The only way Is
IA find Rene's boat-I think ! know where
he has put it-and row her across the req
lake myself =, ,uo,,
Are YOU strong enough 10 do 10 alone
T said Remember. II he has hidden me
boat among the reeds at the END or the
lake YOU will have to row long way IN
a short time. or else you Will come 700
late. and the lady will have gone. ,.,,
"Naurlce did not ask me 20 come WIZ
him. but ne looked at me wistfully; ana
~ vas so inspired by his courage that |
vent The night was intensely cold, and
we were glad the moon had risen, ahn
vas shining so brightly. IL mlgnt De
dark before our work was done, but MAUI
rice had the prudence TO bring lantern.
We found the boat hidden among ne
reeds. and got into il. Rene had leit NE
oars tied together and we united them
"a rowad Ourselves 70 the little plank
tram which passengers usually started;
"yVhiie we waited for the black lady
IN come I felt mserably frightened. !
nyae cold and supper-time was long since
nast Nv head ached. and something
hurt me very much inside my tnroat;
Sometimes I shivered, and sometimes l
grew burning hot. , .uoso Tho
blacL lady takes us TO her house and
shuts Ms IN in cupboards till we are starv-
ed To desth?' ,,,
:. suppose she doesn't said Maurice.
, ".Ru, she killed the Savoyard boy-at
last no one ever saw him again
"'Hushv said Maurice.
Concluded next week.