The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1902-12-24
CHAPTER NXNI.
VISITORS.

VISITORS.
As the door closed upon her two
sons, the old woman gave way 10 Ncr
feelings of admiration for her hano-
some Jacques. =
IOu;Se lav on the stairs as rigid aS if
she had been carved from stone.
La Frochard seated herself by The
table. and cOmmuned with herself.
"Ah, what splendid fellow Jacques
is, The very image OF bis dear father.
There was man for you: but they cut
off his head. an, it makes me sick 20
think of it. l must take something to
strengthen me"
Mother Frochard had great faith in
the virtue Of brandy as L means Of
STRENGTHENING herself, and she COM
menced to search in her capacious
pocket for the brandy bottle which she
always carried.
"Yes-yeS, young woman, she said.
threateninglv, as She continued her
search, III attend to you in min
ute
She had found the bottle, and tax
ing a long draught, she exclaimed:
HAh, that warns my heart. Then
after another drink, she said, much as
she would have said had Louise been
before her instead of lying on the
stairs in nearly a sw0on: Well see
how YOU enjoy couple Of days starva-
tion. Yes, Jacques is right, we must
break your obstinate spirit. Then
when you come out you Won refuse to
help your friends make an honest llv-
ing"
Another deep pull at the bottle, and
the old hag was ready for any work,
however wicked. With a tiendiSh look
upon her face she went to the blind
girl, apa, taking her by the arms,
forced her to stand. :,
''Shamming again, you are: Stana
up and come with me- and the ola
wretch began to pull the poor girl up
the dilapidated stairs.
"Oh, madame" screamed Louise, III
an agony Of terror, as she fully under
stood that she was about to be con-
fined again in the garret, have you no
soul, no pity? DO not Kill me-"
II don't intend to, you're too alua,-
ble," replied the old woman, who had
succeeded in getting Louise to the
door, and opening it,She thrust her IN.
"There, get in with you, III see you
safe inside
So frantically did the terrified girl
cling to the old woman,s garments.
that she found it impossible to shake
her off. and was obliged to go in with
her until she could threaten her into
something approaching state OF sub
mission.
While La Frochard is thus pleasant
" engaged, we will, in u few brief
words, explain what happened after
Marianne was carried away into exile.
Henriette remained at La Salpetriere
until nightfall, and in the meantime
the Count de LiniereS had received
notice that she had embarked in the
prison ship. He at once gave Picard
the necessary orders for the release OF
ehe cnevalier. and at dusk, he and
Henriette and De Naudrey were to-
gether, discussing plans for the release
of Louise.
Picard proved a valuable aid in the
matter, and before Benriette had been
out of prison an hour, she was on her
way to find the blind girl from whom
she had been separated so long.
They had no difficulty in procuring a
warrant for the arrest Of Jacques and
his mother, and guard to execute it,
and thus armed with the power Of the
law, they anticipated no trouble.
The boat-house occupied by the Fro
chardS had. as the reader will remem-
Der, an entrance opening on the Seine
which was seldom used, and the only
other means Of entering the house was
through long, dark passage leading
from the Rue Noir. At the entrance
of this passage the reScuing party halt
ed, and it was then decided that Pi-
card should lead the guards around to
the door on the river side, while the
chevalier should proceed through the
passage, contriving TO reacI the house
at the same time the soldiers did.
It was thought necessary that the
chevalier should 60 to the next street
where he could watch the movements
Of the guards, and thus time his own
movements. Leaving Henriette at the
entrance of the passage, with many
cautions that she should not stir from
the spot, he hurried away.
To the young girl who had thus
waited the preparations which were TO
restore her TO her sister, the time
passed with leaden wings, and she
could not remain inactive. She re-
solved to enter the house in advance
Of the others, and thus have the pleas
ure Of claSping her sister in her arms
few moments sooner.
Alone she threaded the dark, moi
some passage. Alone she pursued her
rash Journey, prompted by her great
love for her sister, braving all the hor-
rors of that yiper'S den in order that
she might meet her sister few mo-
ments sooner:
Mother Frochard descended from the
garret: she had left Louise insensible,
and having thus performed her duty,
betook herself to the consolation which
she could derive from her brandy bot
tie.
Suddenly she heard a knock at the
door, and starting in alright, she hid
her bottle among some Of the cooking
utensils that Uttered the table, and
advanced to the door, asking:
who's there? What do you want?H
1t was Henriette'S voice that said
from the outside:
II am looking for some one-for
Madame FrOchard.
"What do you want of herr" asked
the old woman, suspiciouSly, and MAX
ing no motion toward opening the
door.
''I must speak with her
E''Are you alone?"
eyes, am alone"
g. The answer seemed to satisfy La
Frochard, for she Immediately unfaSt-
ened the door, saying: