The Marlboro democrat. [volume] (Bennettsville, S.C.) 1882-1908, 1903-01-02
CHAPTER NNvIII.

REPATRIATION.
Let lis for afew moments visit the
private office of the minister Of police.
The Count de Linicrcs is seated at
ms Writing-table, engaged in deep
Thought. Around him are all the evi-
dcnces Of luxury which wealth can pnr-
chase, and yet he does not appear COM
Portable. He has just received word
OF coinmcndation from the king, anu
| yet .l,.2G.!s not satisfied with himself. :
Plca.i had called at the Office Of the
minister few hours previous, and by
asserting that Henricttc Girard had
| been ,akcr from LII Salpetficrc, and
was tlcr on her way to the prison ship
IN company with the other condemned
prisoners, and also by producing the
certificate OF the guard, the valet had
received an order for the release OF the
Chcvalicrd Vaudrcy from the Bastile
The count had asserted the author
lty Of the family, and the power OF his
Office. and yet there were many things
on his mind which he could not ban
iSh.
lie reviewed his conduct toward
llcnricLtc, ana in his heart he could
not congratulate himself for the part
he had taken in the prosecution of the
poor girl.
lie had arrested lIcnrcttc and sent
her to la Salpctricrc as fallen wom-
an, and nov she was on her way to Il
lifelong exile, branded with crime
or WHICH nc knew she was innocent,
and for which she suffered because of
his price and ambition
Whlic he was thus indulging in these
glonmN thoughts, his wife entered.
she had not heard that Hcnricttc
was condemned to exile, and had come
intcrcede for the unhappy girl.
u a few words she explained the OBJ
icct Of her visit.
~ stoo late replied the count,
abruptly. -.
because She is now on her WAY 10
the place Of her exile" replied De
Llnicrcs, IN a low voice, as If half
how far his pride could control his Of
fetal duties.
Exile" exclaimed the countess,
sinking into Il chair, while a dcathly
pallor came over her face, alarming
the count more than he cared to show.
WHY have you done this wicked
thing?'
Her husband made her no answer,
and for many moments the countess
remained With her face covered by her
hand. shuddering with horror at this
most unjust deed that had been com
mittcd against Il dcfcnselcss, innocent
girl.
a great struggle was going on in her
mind. Should She at this time confess
all her past life TO her husband show
TiIlu Hcrnicttc had dope for her own
child, and for that reason urge her
pardon?
She trenlblcd asshc thought Of what
her husbands wrath might he when
he learned all, and for some time she
could not bring herself to say those
things which would ALLEVIATE herself
from him.
when vas she sent away?" asked
the countess, in a voice trembling
with emotion.
Two hours ago"
Then there is yet time to save her
from being carried to that. dreadful
place."
There is time, if l wish to use it,"
replied De LinicrcS, in Il niticant
tone.
''Shc must be sent for.'' exclaimed
the lady. in a firm tone.
Must be-" and the count elevated
his eyebrows in manner peculiar TO
him when displcased.
cs, must be- repeated his wife.
~ Will tell you why, If you will not
interrupt me; for in that case my
courage might fail me, and in a rapid
manner she continued: ''Reforc
met you, Count dc Linicres. mar
ried without my parents consent, and
secretly. Il poor man. My parents
discovered our secret, and almost be-
fore my very eyes they murdered my
husband. Soon after ! became a
mother. My child was taken from me
and left on the steps Of Notrc Dame. 4
y poor man, llcnrictte Girards
father, found the child, carried it to
his humble house and broughtit up as
one or his own. That child is the blind
sister that lIcnricttc was. separated
from, and whom we Should iiaXc
found /, had>you not prevented us from