Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1901-10-06


the FIVE were awed. Their eyes had
never rested upon such gorgeousness
before. They spoke to one another IN
whispers. and moved over the polished
floors on tip-toe. The President. walk
ing ahead, led them into room dec
GRATED with gold and with many mir
rors upon the walls. When the wo-
men caught a glimpse Of their own wan
faces. with their hair awry, and great
black patches beneath their eyes,
showing that no sleep had closed them
for many long hoJ1s, and when they
saw their clothes torn and damp and
splashed with mud, reflected among all
the glory of that royal salon, little
SILVER of dismay ran through the four
younger.
But stolid and Unconditional stood the
big, Manufactured woman who had
played so prominent a part in that
nights history.
Juliette, unconscious of herself, dig
nified despite her bedraggled state,
stood at her full height, reacJ to play
the heroine Marie Leblanc and 1.ucie
Derevoge nervously twitched at their
gowns. not knowing what to do, but
ready TO agree with what the others
decided
The little sculptor's model as deli
cate as a plant that was being exposed
to tempest, held for support 20 the
edge of table. Everything w'lizzed
about her, and her eyeIids dropped and
rose again with convulsive movements.
She was struggling hard to keep back
the fainting-ft that was upon her.
Suddenly there sounded voice; lie
Roll" The doors were thrown oren
and Louis XVI. entered.
His Majesty, garbet in shining white
satin, was like an apparfc.on from an
other world to those poor women. He
looked with bluff and careless good hui
NOR, and smiled upon them as some
thing curious that he had never seen
before.
"Mesdames," he said affably. II hear
that you have little troubles in Paris,
and that you desire to see us"
His gaze wandered to the queen-like,
erect figure of Juliette as though he ex
pected her to reply.
Sir" she said with just qulver in
her voice, I'VE women of Paris have
walked here through the slush AMI rain
of the night. We were starving for
want of food, and those who can give it
us have locked it up in their cellars.
Those in whom we trusted have de-
ceived us, and we come now to plead
to your Majesty that you direct that
the poor of Paris be fed"
She spoke the words calmly and with
earnestness.
The King trified with the tassels OF
his stick. and remarked THAT IS
shocking, very shocking. And what
are you ard how do you earn your liv-
ing?"
Sir" answered Juliette, 81 formerly
earned my living by the sale of vege
tables in the market and also by SELL
ing flowers. But no one has money to
buy in these days. No one cares for
flowers. 1t is bread that is wanted
'"That is shocking. very shocking"
repeated the king. And you, ma
dame. he inquired, turning to the Wig
orous, stern-countenanced woman who
had stood between Juliette and Louise,
pray madame, are things in Paris as
baG as mademoisel'e says"
Sir said the woman, and there was
no hesitation. no tremour, no smooth
ing of words, ''sir, there is a revolution
spreading over your realm. We are
dirty and lack the graces of the court,
but those we representatives, are
thousands in your park-are the mo-
Tiers and wives of Frenchmen. Our
children are dead and dying because
tutIt 10 NJ loOu. Jul huobdhuo, WhSh
they asked a little consideration, were
thrown into the Bastille. But, thank
God, the prison is now levelled with
the ground, never to rise again. We
come, yoar Majesty, to ask for bread"
A slight frown played between the
eyes of the King as he looked into the
blotched, angry face of the elderly wo
man who stood before him with no
fear.
In an instant he recovered himself
and, smiling. looked to Louise. MY
dear, how i'll has the world been treat
ing your"
Louise raised her eyes with a quick
flash crimsoning to her neck. Then
she gave a little cry and sank to the
ground, breaking into flood of tears
"Oh. my lord. my King, we ought not
to have come here to trouble you with
our cares" and she buried her face in
her hands and sobbed convulsiveIy.
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