The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1902-10-15

Several copious draughts had the et-
feet of changing the old woman COM
and she muttered TO herself
while she cast threatening glances at
the Young girl, who, calmly sleeping,
was all Unconscious Of the danger
which surrounded her.
In about half an hour after La
Frochard and Louise entered the house.
and while the old woman was still
conmuning with the brandy bottle. a
loud hustle was heard in the passage
just outside the door.
Mother Frochard liStended lntently,
and gaZed toward the bed. as II 10 see
whether the noise would awake the
girl. until several loud curses IN a we'll
known voice caused cOmplacent
smile to appear upon her face, and she
leaned back in her chair. saying:
Its Jacques my handsome JAG
QueS."
1T the same moment, with drunken
swagger, Jacques entered the room.
We'll, my boy, what luck?' asked
his mother, as she gazed admlringly
upon him.
The worst of luck" answered JAG
Ques. sullenly, as he seated himself
upon a low stool, and began filling his
pipe. Marianne has deceived me.
"Deceived you. Oh. the wrecth,
exclaimed the old woman, in a tone
which told plainly what Marianne
might expect if she should get her IN
her grasp once. But how did she de-
ceive you?"
she gave herself up to the guard.
l told her to find purse, and after she
had done it. she gave herself up TO get
away from me, so she SAD.
Just then Louise made a movement
in her sleep which attracted Jacques
attention.
Halo. What have you got here?
he asked, as he went toward the bed.
Mother Frochard related the story
of how she found Louise, and whenshe
had concluded, Jacques gave vent TO
his satisfaction in a prolonged whistle.
What do you mean 10 do with
herr" he asked, at length, still gazing
upon the beautiful face OF the sleeping
girl.
she shall go out with me and sing;
the money will come in fast enough
then, I'll warrant" replied the old wo
man, betaking herself once more to
her bottle.
Halo. it's full again, is it," said
JACQUES. as he reached over, and taking
the bottle from his mothers hand.
took a draught which was both long
and deep.
Mother and son, as they sat there,
with all the brutality in their hard ma
lures aroused by the fiery liquid they
had drunk. were a well-mated couple,
and Louise seemed as much out OF
place in their den as a lily-of-the-valley
would be in the midst of fungus.
The evening meal had been prepared
and nearly dispatched when Pierre,
looking faded and SorroWful, entered
the hut with his wheel strapped upon
his back.
Neither his mother nor Jacques paid
any attenten to him as he entered, ana
he went quickly to the further end OF
the room to leave his wheel, when he
was arrested by the sight OF the sleep
ing girl.
With a low cry expressive of delight
he stopped and gazed at the lovely
face. Then leaving his wheel in its
accustomed place, he returned to the
bedside, and kneeling down, looked at
her much as pilgrim might at the
Mecca Of his faith.
"Look at the CRIPPLE" said Jacques
to his mother, and then both broke out
in coarse laugh which aroused him
from his whorship. ,
He ate the fragments which had
been left by his mother and Jacques,
silently, and then commenced to 90
some work which he had brought home
with him, while the other two began
a night Of drinking, which was the rule
rather than the exception.
The morning came, and with 1t the
first intimation to poor Louise OF what
her life would be.
She was aroused by the heavy hand
of Mother Frochard, who pulled her
roughly to standing position.
Get up, my fine lady, get up and try
to earn your own living. You don't
think that we can keep you inidleneSs,
do you?" said the old wretch, in voice
which was yet thick from the effects
of the previous nights dissipation.
For a moment Louise could not un-
derstand where she was, or what had
happend, and then like flood the re-
mem brauce of her loss rushed over
her.
She could make no reply; indeed, she
,nlv half understood what had been
said to her, and sitting down on the
edge of the bed, she commenced to
cry.
Pierre and Jacques were watching
the, proceedings. The former with a
look of pity and compassion, and the
latter the amusement.
Now, them" exclaimed the old wo-
man, as she dragged the girl to her
feet again. "Can you sing?"
LoiSe did not reply, but wept more
violently. -,
Can you sirg?" screamed the old
hag, at the same time graSpicg the
poor girl by the arm in manner which
caused her to vince with pain.
''Yes-yes, madame" replied Louise,
in alright. -,
"WeIl, l want you to come out with
me, and earn your living"
How, madame?"
How? Why, by singing in the
streets, to be sure"
II can not, madame, ! can not..n ex-
claimed the poor girl, piteously: You
said we should find my sister today"
1T will take me many days to ind
your sister, I'm thinking" snarled La
Frochard, land you've got to help your
friendS?"
"You mean for me to beg?' gasped
Louise.
NO, my lady. You do the singing,
and III do the begging"
Louise covered down upon the bed
like one stricken with blow.
You'll have 10 take that out Of
her." laughed Jacques who Was enjoy
ing the spectacle.
But you promised her that you
would find her sister," said Pierre,
hastily wiping the tears from his eyes,
and starting to his feet.
YOU tospeak? Go sit down" said Jac-
ques, dealing the lame boy violent
blow, which sent him reeling to the
further end Of the room.
H. L.