The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1902-12-24
'TIe iT.u0 01p5aD)S.
ESv DeEnncTy
CHAPTER XIV

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CHAPTER XIV.
TORTURE.
Louise stood trembling with fca1
and cold. rs the old woman was thu:
preparing her to so out begging. ant
! She had need Of all her strength ever
to stand. much less walk.
She could hardly be worse OF than
she was now. and she resolved to brave
the power of her tOrmentorS.
"Eh-eh? What next?" asked the
old woman, sharply. and turning tt
jacques. she said. with snccr: DC
you hear that? She doesn't wish tC
go out"
We'll see about that" and the
threat implied in Jacques brutal tones
caused the poor girl TO tremble aS II
an ague fit.
Pierre saw the storm that was
gathering. and knew that it must S0Or
break upon the blind girls defenseless
head. Anxious to save her all the
trouble be could, he went close to bel
and whispered warningly: Take
care"
Come here, my little beauty" said
Jacques. coarsely, aS he attempted tC
take her hand.
Il forbid you to touch me-" exclaim'
cd the poor girl, recoiling in horror
from his villainous touch.
"Oh. hO." sneered the brute in hu-
man form, "then we are no longer
friends"
"You. Friends" exclaimed Louise
you're cruel wretcheS..'
Yet you we're glad enough to share
our hoTe when we pickedyou up in
the streets"
Yes. ! was grateful to you then,
because you offered me a shelter
Alas, I learned too soon that it was
not pity for my miSfOrtuneS that
moved YOU. Mono, you wanted to
make use of my atfliction. You have
starved, tortured. beaten me: but now
feeble us l am. my will shall be strOD-
ger than your violence. | will beg nc
more
As Louise thus declared her inten-
tion of submitting no longer to the
demands of her tOrmentOrS, she stood
erect. and her slight form seemed tC
expand. and for the moment she un-
dOubtedly had the strength to resist:
but alas. only for moment could she
expect to have strength enough even
to permit of her standing erect.
when her blood is up she is su'
perb." said Jacques. gazing with ad
miration upon her.
"Oh. welI-well.' laughed the old
woman. THAT is all mighty fine: but
where is the bread and butter to come
from?'
Il care not" said Louise, firmly.
DO you hear?' asked Pierre, Of his
mother. while he gazed at Louise II
alarm. ''Do you know what she means:
She will Starve rather than beg.
Nonsense" was the Sneerlng reply
''She will get tried Of that soor
enough"
Never" cried the blind girl.
swell, we'll see if locking you up II
the garret won't bring you to youl
senses"
And the old woman laughed, as she
saw the flush of fear that passed ovel
the poor girls face, and she noticed
that her attitude was not SO defiant.
IF | enter that place | shall never
leave it alive" said Louise, piteously
Poor child-poor child" exclaimed
Pierre, as he turned away to hide his
| tears.
why. she is magnificent" said
Jacques, in admiration. ia HeTel
have believed that she had so much
spirit
As he spoke he went toward the
trembling girl. and tried to kiss her:
but she managed to escape from him.
As Jacques attempted this outrage
Pierre rushed forward as though he
would strike him to the earth: but he
checked himself, and exclaimed, in q
voice filled with reproach:
'JacqueS"'
well, what is it? You don't like
it, l suppose, Master Cupid. Well
forbid it, why don't you?'
Il do"
And Pierre was about to rush for
ward again: but Jacques threatening
attitude caused him to stop, and ht
went 10 Il further corner OF the room
muttering to himself;
"Oh, miserable, cOWardly wretch
| that fam.." and he SOhbed like achild
as he thought Of his own cowardice.
"C0me-come along" said the ole
woman, taking Louise again by the
arm, and dragging her toward The
steps "Iou;re strong enough wher
YOU want tC be. Up into the garre1
with YOU" ard the old wretch half
carried. haif-dr&gged the poor cir
along. until at the steps Louise fei
from her grasp. and lay upon the
stairs. seemingly too feeble tomoye.
Yes. that is right, mother. take ne
up." said Jacques. cncouragingly. gee
her out OF the way. Oh. come. here
| | want to speak to YOU" he added q!
he suddenly thought Of some message
that he mad forgotten.
/ The old woman hurried down t
hear what her darling son had to say
and as she left Louise where she hat
fallen upon the stairs, Pierre took tn
opportunity OF slipping around on th'
opposite side Of the staircase, ant
whispering:
y on can escape. have unScrewe(
the lock. The key to the street doc
is under your mattress. Trust Il
Heaven TO guard you. Nothing wors!
can happen than threatens you here.
He finished whispering just in time
to hear Jacques say to his mother:
"Lock her up securely. | have m,
reasons for distrusting Master Cupid.
Yes yes, | understand. replied
the old woman. shaking her heat
knowingly.
Come my innocent, hard-workin!
brother er." ordered jacques. in {; sncct
ing tone. come vii h me. want you.
Il have wOr.; here. ansWeret
Pierre. as he went 10 his wheel at
commenced TO work.
And | have work Tor you els
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