Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1901-09-08

hA0AtP beibP DOOAitN
the drum.
In the onrush the torches broke into
brighter flame.
The mob followed in delirium. On
they went, the angered outcasts of
h france, ill-fed, but feeling no weari-
ness in the passion that held them.
The black night added terrors to the
scene.
Hot color came to the cheeks of the
rioters. She painted, but she never
halted. She was nimble of foot, and
she led steadily, hesitating once or
twice to look over her shoulder, to give
a shake of her torch, and then start
the chorus again. crying: ITO the
Place aux Marches"
The young girls followed close. But
there were old ONE and crippled,
who fought with their weakness and
struggled to keep pace with the mob.
Many fell. At odd intervals there
came a termor of Impotence through
the ranks of the believing crowd.
Then the cause of the halt was seen.
Sympathetic arms stretched forth, and
the fallen we're lifted to one side OF
the street.
ION, ont" was the yell, and on swung
the ONE
A hoarse, short-breathed scream OF
triumph went up to the dusky sky as
in a ~disorgsnized mass the mob swept
into the Place aux Marches, the reeog-
nlzed square of protest.
Gloom and deathly silence had been
EMBEDDING it. Blu now it awoke into
f1aring light. and the walls Of the
houses threw back the shouts of the
angry women.
There was a Pickering lamp in many
a easement. Many a curious head
peeped forth to gather the reason of
the tumult. Then hastily the heads
were withdrawn, and there was the
clatter of shutters and the hurried
pushing of bolts.
The m with the torch stood still
in the centre of the square. Little
beads of perspiration studded her fore
head and stray wisps of hair chung
damp to her cheek that glowed with
exertion. Though the bosom rose and
fell, the lips were still tight. The
black eyes had a deeper, more brilliant
radiance.
All round was the clamorous throng,
waiting, laughing, dancing, crying, dis
tracted with conflicting emotions.
By one side of the square ran a bal
cony with high steps. From here, with
in the last weeks, fervid orators ha.
poured out denunciation on the rulers
who had brought France to starvation
and bankruptcy and anarchy.
There was a movement towards these
steps. Everybody was busting and
pushing everybody else. The torches
were knocked against the walls. They
fared with long tongues of flame.
The who had led the mob
found herself on the topmost step.
An involuntary shudder shook her
as she glanced over the sea of pale and
freizied She closed her eyes
to shut out the horrible picture and all
that 1t meant. But the corner of her
lips grew tighter, and when the eye
lids were lifted it looked as though the
fire in her soul was blazing.
How terrible those spluttering fan
beauX made the faces of the women
And yet what infinite sorrow was on
many a face!
At the thought there came a gush
of tears.
This softer, sadder feeling she stiled.
The mob saw nothing but the dauntless
woman beneath the glow of the torches
and nothing but a determined heroine
who had led them to this square of
protest. and now, beautiful and de-
fiant, stood upon the steps surveying
them as though she were a queen.
A reverberating shout hailed her.
Women" sne said, " We are going
to be heard also!"
The words we're uttered huskily, and
carried only a little way. But when 1t
was seen she was speaking, the storm
of voices lulled.
Women" she exclaimed again, and
now her voice cut through the air
sharp and clear, like a blade, women,
we are going to be heard ALSO"
The words travelled far, and cheers
arose.
She gained courage. 1t was the first
word that had been hard to say. With
confidence came a torrent of restrained
thoughts.