The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1902-10-22
CHAPTER VIII.
SAVED FROM DISHONOR.

Like a lily half broken from its stem
lay Henriette upon the litter, sur
rounded by the revelerS who had gath
cred to see the Norman beauty.
Under the influence Of the drug
which had been administered, she re-
mained unconscious Of the rude JeStS
which were uttered, and the coarse
laugh of triumph which greeted her
arrival.
Only one of the gay party was with
out curiosity respecting her appear
ance.
That one was the Chevalier Maurice
de Faudrey.
He passed by her as she was brought
in, and seeing what it was that lay
upon the litter, contented himself by
.remarking:
a Young girl. The sport has been
good" ,
Then resuming his seat he waited
listlessly until some disposition should
be made OF the game which had been
so bravely captured.
"Ah, is this our threatened rival?'
asked one Of the females, after looking,
not without a feeling of envy, at the
pale features of the abducted girl.
''Why. she has tainted" remarked
another, in a sarcastic voice.
Sleeping, my DEAR" said the first,
Its much more becoming
At this lively sally Of wit, a general
laugh went around the company.
''1'll wager that her eyes are but
half closed, and that she is laughing
to herself at all the trouble you are
taking" said the cynical De Faudrey,
who had, years before, lost faith IN
woman-kind.
And it is little wonder that in that
diSsolute age an honest, undetermined
man should have believed Womanly
purity to be a fable of the past.
What do you think of my treas
ure?" asked De Presles, who had been
gloating his sensual eyes upon the
form Of the fair girl who was thus in
his power. :,
"She has very ordinary face" said
one of the ladies (?), who prided her.
self upon her beauty.
IAN exceedingly common person, as
you can tell by her feet, said another,
as she tried to display her own dainty
foot. which she took the greatest de-
light in showing.
Her arms and hands are like
washerwoman's." was the kindly re-
mark Of bold-looking blonde, who
had exposed as much Of her own arms
as possible.
"Chevalier, your opinion?" asked
the bankrupt noblenan, who liked a
bit of sarcasm, and not being able to
say it himself, knew that it would be
sure to come from the eccentric De
Eaudrey.
Its a lovely face: distinguished air:
with the hands and feet of a duchess"
replied the chevalier, without taking
the trouble to lock at the object Of his
criticism.
But you have not SEEN De Pres
les eagerly began to say.
No" answered De Vaudrey, cool
ly. But l have heard those young
ladies'"
The young nobleman who. had pro-
voked this remark was delighted: but
the ladies who had thus freely given
their opinions, favored him with a
glance which lacked not the will to
wither and blast the inStigatOr of this
reflection upon their remarks.
Isn't she going to wake up?" asked
one, in order to cover her confusion.
'Oh, yes" said the marquis, as he
took a small, delicately chased silver
flask from his pocket. "A few drops
Of this on the handkerchief will be
to revive her"
The marquis poured few drops Of
the liquid upon the priceless lace
handkerchief which he held in his
hand. and was about to apply it. when
the desire to heighten the effect
caused him to stop.
What will she say when she comes
to her SenSeS?" he asked, much as
though he were speculating upon the
probable actions OF some strange ami
NAL, rather than d weak, defenSeleSS
girl.
The young bankrupt nobleman look
ed at the chevalier, as if hoping that
he would answer that question, and he
was not disappointed.
What will she say when she comes
to her SenseS?' repeated De Eaudrey.
as though it was a useless question,
the answer of which every one knew.
AS though we did not know by heart
the everlasting phrases Of these will
ingly abducted maidens. When the
proper moment arrives she will wake
up and 20 through it all"
Bursting into Il food of imaginary
tears. the cheyalier proceeded TO give
an imitation Of the kind OF cries in
dulged in by maidens who. as he said.
had been abducted by their own
wishes.
Where am T." he continued. in a
crying voice. Why have you brought
me here? What is it you wish? Great
Heavens -ah, my mother"