The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1902-10-08
THE TuO Orphans.
BY D9EnnerS-
CHAPTER ".
THE ABDUCTION.

Ul1e CWO orphans SlOOO SileuL.
They had, in the few moments that
had elapsed since their arrival in Paris
seen more misery in one poor girls life
than they had thought could exist,
from evil causes, in the whole city.
Having been born and reared in the
quiet Norman town, they knew none
Of that misery which arises from sin,
and Judging others by their own pure
and spOtleSS lives. were shocked be-
yond measure by Marianne'S brief con-
feSSion Of guilt.
For a moment nothing could have
presented so touching a sight as the
TWO young girls, standing claSped in
each others arms and striving to COM
fort each other in their grief at Mari
anne'S sad fate.
Although, as the poor Outcasr had
said, they had never before seen her,
nevertheless, from out their pure, ten
der hearts went great flood OF SYM
pathy and sorrow Of the poor creature
who, forSaken in her hour of trouble
by the man for whose sake she had set
upon herself the brand Of infamy, had
now commenced her life Of eXplatlon.
Louisewa the first to break the ST.
lence: Her quick ear had caught the
sound Of Pierre'S footsteps as ne came
back from a neighboring street, and
she tremble0 involuntarily.
"Henriette, where are you?" she
said, in a voice which betrayed her
emotion.
''You are frightened. sister," an
sTered Henriette, looking anxiouSly
at the blind girl.
"Yes-yes, l am indeed exclaimed
Louise, as she graSped her sisters
arms, as If to receive some assurance
Of her safety.
''And the night is falling FAST said
Henriette to herself, beginning to feel
seriously alarmed on account Of the
non-appearance Of their relative.
During this time Pierre had remain
ed by his wheel, buSying himself in
performing some trifling work, and
listening intently to the conversation,
that he might know if it was not pos
si5le for him to render them some as
SiStance.
Those to whom fate has been unkind
are ever more ready to assist their SUI
fering fellows then they who have re-
ceived al the gifts kind Providence
can bestow upon them.
The unprotected condition Of the
two girls had to the poor cripple some
thing touching in it, and he longed to
: assist them; or at least to say some
comforting word
why does not Monsieur Martin
Gomez" exclaimed Louise, giving her
self up entirely to her fears.
AS she spoke, and almost in response
to her question, a man advanced TO
ward them, coming, apparently. from
out Of the shadow Of the buildings.
We have no need to describe him,
for the reader has met him before.
It was Ladeur.
"Here l am, mademoiselle," he said,
question.
which was at the same time expressive
Of relief and fear.
She disliked even the appearance Of
the man, and inStinctiyely she recOiled
from his approach.
LouiSe's'' ''Atlast was as significant
as her sisters exclamation.
She could not see the approaching
mans form, but she could hear his
voice, and she could distinguish a pc
culiar tone which caused her to fear
this man on whom she believed that
she was dependent for support.
Pierre saw that the friend whom the
girls were expecting had arrived, and
taking up the water can from his
wheel, he limped slowly down the long
fight Of stone steps which led TO the
river, to fill it.
He could not repreSS q sigh as he
went, thinking that he should never
again see the fair young girls who were
SO pure and so holy, that while in their
presence it seemed to him he was
standing in bright, glorious ray Of
sunlight.
''We began to be very anxious said
-Henriette, as the man waited for her
to speak.
Lafeur could not meet the gaze Of
the pure girl against whom he was
about to commit so great and deadly
a wrong, and holding his head in such
a position that his eyes might not
meet hers, he said:
you must excuse me, for l live at
great distance from here"
"A great diStance?" exclaimed Hen
riette, in surprise. why, we were
told that your house was but a few
steps from the BRIDGE" said Louise,
excitedly, at thus receiving such direct
confirmation to the fears which his
voice had arouSed~in her mind.
Laheur saw at once that he had
made a mistake. He was thinking Of
Bel-Air, and had, for the moment, for
gotten the part he was playing. And
in his endeavor to rectify his error
quickly, he made matters very much
worse by the heSitating, nervous man
ner in which he spoke.
"YeS-yeS, iudeed it waS-that is,
did live but short distance from here
but you see have moved. Come, come
let us go, ma6emoiselle"
"You have moyed?" replied Henri
cite, still too much surprised by her
relatives appearance to be able fully
to collect her ideas.
"YeS-yeS, only yesterday" replied
Lafeur, impatientiy, as he felt he
could not keep up the very thin sem
blance Of honesty which he had asSum-
ed, much, longer before the searching
eyes Of these innocent girls.
''And you said nothing Of it in your
letter." Queried Henriette, as she
shrunk back from any contact with
the base wretch who stood before her.
NO" answered Lafeur, quickly.
Il did not mention it because-be
cause, in short. did not know that
was going to move, but if you doubt
me, here are some neighbOrS Of mine,
good, honest citizens, who will vOuch
for me-"
AS he spoke he made a sign which
was unseen by Henriette, and at the
same instant three men came out from
the same angle Of the building at
which Lafleur emerged, and came to-
ward the little group.
It was impossible to see one sign Of
honesty about these neighbors of La
feur'S: but on the contrary. their APP
pearance and manner proclaimed them
to be men who, for the sake OF few
francs wOnl6 NOT heSitIre al any ac-