The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1902-12-17


Henriette's cry of despair, as she un-
dersvood that she was condemned 10
exile, rung through the corridors OF
the prison, causing all who heard II 70
shudder inyoluntarily.
In the intensity OF her grlel. Whlch
had caused the cry. it sounded more
like the wall Of q strong man IN MS
agony, rather than that Of young
girl.
Picard evinced the greatest conSter
nation. I'll go to the BaStile and in
form the chevaier," he thought.
Henriette. turning 10 Narianne,W who
was standing near IN the hopes that
she might be able to render some as
sistance, said, in world-weary voice;
:sAh. now l understand why one
may wish to die." -.
.'Do not speak so. mademoiselle.
entreated Marianne. "Rememoer lhe
words of hope you spoke to me:
III you have a family, thlnk OF
them said the good doctor. ANXIOUS
to turn the thoughts Of the poor girl TO
something beside her own misery. =.
"Think Of master, the cnevaller,
said Picard, in tone which plainly
said: Remember the plan which we
have formed for your escape.
''Ah. monsieur" said Henrlette to
the physician, ''eXile has no terrors Tor
me. l do not weep for MY own miSlOr-
tunes"
:'She has sister of whom she was
the sole support, exclaimed Marianne.
4 sister who is blind.
81 had found her at the moment
when they arrested me- added Henri.
cite, sorrowfully. u heard her voice.
I saw her. She was covered with rags.
and her beautiful golden hair fell IN
disorder on her shoulders. She was
being dragged along by a horrible Ola
woman, who I know ill-treatS her
beats her, perhaps, and they would not
let me go to her. Now have lost her
foreyer-forever.."
And again the sorely tried girl burst
into food Of bitter tears. while MARI
anne supported the slight form in her
arms.
"Wait a minute, my child" eN-
claimed the physician, as a sudden
thought flashed over him. Il believe
7 have met that very same girl;
"You, monsieur" exclaimed Henri
ette, in surprise.
"Yes-yes, a young girl led by an old
woman, who called herself Louise
yes that's her name. and
the young girl now became breathless
with excitement
81 know the old woman, too. She is
called La Frochard," continued the
doctor. while Henriette listened anX-
iously to every word he spoke.
''La Frochard" exclaimed Picard.
quickly. An old hag that goes about
whining for alr0s in the name OF
Heaven and seven small children:
Where does she live?''
Marianne Shuddered.
She knew full well what mercy any
one might expect at the hands OF the
Frochards, and she resolved that tie
blind girl should be rescued from their
vile grasp.
''She lives in a hovel by the river
side,'n she said quickly, and as If 1t
panied her even to be obliged to speaE
OF the family. 1T was formerly USED
as boat-house; but has long been oc-
cupied by thieves and the worst class
of criminals. There IS a secret en-
trance from the Rue Noir; but 1t IS
difficult to find and always caretulIy
guarded"
''Never mind that" said Picard.
contemptuously, ''the police Of Paris
can find their secret entrances: II not,
we will capture The main one. l must
20 to the Bastile first, and try to effect
my masters release. Then We will go
to this boat-houSe.' y
And away Picard darted in the
greatest haste, full Of the Importance
Of the task he had undertaken, and re-
solved to accomplish it at any cost.
'tYou are sure she lives there?" ask
ed Henriette, eagearly, and forgetting
for the moment that she was prison
er, hurrying toward The gate. Then
we will 60 at once. Thank God: have
found my dear sister again.
AS she reached the gate She sudden
" remembered her cruel position, and
how impossible it was for her to take
single step toward liberating her
sister.
The shock was great one, and she
sunk down covering and trembling:
while she murmured, in a choked, Stl-
fed voice:
"Oh, I'm to be sent away-away
from her" :,
s:No-no, mademoiselle," exclaimed
Marianne, pasSionately, as she caught
Henriette;S hand, and pressed 1t to her
lips; you need not-you shall not be
sent away,n
''What do you mean?" asked the
doctor, as soon as he could wipe away
his tears, for Marianne'S positive as
surance startled him.
81 need not be sent away:" repeated
Henriette. Look at these guards who
have been sent to take me, WI no wall
for me-" and she pointed to the SOL
diers, who stood like grim statutes
ranged along the side Of the yard. And
as she looked upon their stern faces
that seemed never to have known What
pity was, her grief broke out anew.
''Oh, Louise. my sister, my poor dar-
ling..' she walled, while she covered
her face with her hands as If to shut
out the sight Of those who were 10
force her to leave France and her SIS
ter, branded as fallen woman.
II tell you that you need not go.
insisted Marianne, eagerly.
what do you mean?" was the I'M
happy girls question.
At this moment. the unfortunate
prisoners whose names were on the list
Of those condemned to exile, entered
the courtyard. accompanied by the
officers Of the guard,
The kind-hearted Sister Genevicve.
whose duty it was to inform the IN
happy creatures Of their hard fate. had
remained within the prison walls, as If
to spare herself the pain OF seeing the
poor creatures as they We're dragged
away.
In order not to be overheard by the
officer, Marianne wen, close TO the doc
tor, and whispered:
doctor, have pity on her, and cor
sent to help me.
Before she could say more. OF even
hear the physicians reply, the officer
who had been consulting lis list. SAID:
Il needed another prisoner to, com
Dlete the list. Henriette Girard.