The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1902-10-08

was easily rectitied.
Our parents" exclaimed Louise.
sadly, breaking once more into tears.
Alas. madame. we are orphans"
You have neutrality-suspicious."
said Pierre.
We have only Just arrived in Paris.
and ! know no one here
TO Pierre this Intelligence was sac:
but his mother seemed TO view the
matter different ly. for she asked eager
ly:
no onc-no one at all:" Louise
SHOOK; her head sadly.
Were the people who took your
sister away, gentlemen or common
pcOple?" asked Pierre, with the faint
hope that he might aid her TO lind her
sister.
How can I tell?" asked Louise,
mournfully.
You could see their clothes,:; said
Mother Frocllard, impatient at what
she believed the stupidity of the girl.
Alas, madame, l am blind" said
Louise. sadly
You are blind" exclaimed Pierre.
pityingly. as he gazed at her sightless
eyes.
Mother F-ochard looked at the
young girl much as one would look at
some newly discovered treasure, and
she saw in moment many ways of
turning her prize to account.
"Ah. ha,' she thought, blind,
without relations friends or acQuain-
tances in Paris: and young and
pretty"
1T is true" said the cripple, as he
finished his examination Of the poor
girls eyes. and turned sadly away.
so young and pretty. too he said.
half to himself, wiping away q tear.
that. despite all his efforts, would
make its appearance.
Go. leave me alone with her said
the old woman. Ill take care Of
her"
But Mother Frochard's promise to
take care" of the poor girl meant a
great deal more than the words con-
reyed. Her care was something to be
Stunned, and God have mercy on the
unfortunate whom the old woman
should take under her protecting care.
Yes, mother" said Pierre, signify
ing his readiness to obey his mothers S
commands, I'VE must help her TO find
her sister,"
That's all right" exclaimed the
old woman. in voice which She meant
should be kind and motherly: but at
the same time darting furious look
at Pierre, who still fingered. Il know
what to do
Pierre stood gazing at the blind girl.
who still retained her hold OF the old
woman's arm, and it seemed as if he
was unable to leave her charmed pre-
Sence.
You get out" exclaimed the old
woman suddenly, in fierce whisper,
as she unlooSed the girls grasp, and
went toward the cripple.
Fearing lest she was about to be de-
prived Of her protectresS, Louise, said,
as she vainly endeavored to tou;h her
arm again:
You will not leave me, madame"
"Neyer fear, my dear, l am here, y
replied Mother Frochard, cheeringly:
Pierre went slowly toward his wheel,
and raising it on his back started to
go. He could not resist last glance
at the young girl.
Blind" he exclaimed, as he gazed
upon her slight form. so young and
so pretty" Then, as he thought Of
his own deformity, a bitter smile pass
ed over his face, which in its bitter
ness was painful, because OF the misery
which it served to portray, and he add
ed:
"Pretty. what is that to you, miser-
able cripple?' :.
And as if he had convinced himself
that he must not think Of beauty, or
any thing but his own wretchedness,
he walked YEARLY away, while his cry
Of KNIVES to grind" was dOubly
pathetic in the intensity of the despair
that seemed to come with it.
"Come-come, my pretty child,
don't be downcast," said Mother
Frochard, as she laid her hand on the
blind girls shoulder, and took mental
note OF the clothing which the poor
girl wore.
Alas. to whom shall l so for help?"
asked Louise, sadly.
ITO me-" said La Frochard, throw
ing all the dignity and maternal tone
possible into her words. Il am an
honest woman, and mother of family;
l will give you home until you find
your sisters"
"Ah, madame. you are very good to
have pity on me" said Louise, thank
fully. But we will find my sister,
will we not?"
"Oh, yes, certainly, in time" said
the old woman. thinking that she
would take plenty of time to do it
'cone, then, come with me-"
Louise, without fear of what she
was to suffer through the old woman's
tiendishness, said, confdingly:
y trust myfelf to you, madame"
"YoI couldn't do better, for you
have fallen into good hands"
And the old woman led the blind
girl to hervile den, and the sister, who
had been stolen, was still in the hands
of her abdUctors.