The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1905-09-07

| ABOUT her lace over uci SAouluSAS'
The unhappy beggar stifed q cry in
her throat. Then she stood immovable,
| bcwitched with admiration. The child,
| if she should see her, would try to eS-
cane like bird from snake, no doubt.
The eye of Tortillon-wide open, full OF
light. charged with maGnetism-dwelt
on the divine face of the child. The
latter still played, without looking up.
An intense desire. irresistible. furious.
took possession of the beggar. At last
she could not restrain herself longer.
casting about her look, jealous and
defiant. she saw that the road was de-
serted. There was no one to disturb
her. All. what joy illuminated her
face.
But at this moment the little girl saw
her. uttered a cry and tried to flee,
calling for help. The unhappy woman,
dropping her stick, fell deSpairinGly on
her knees. Her eyes had 4 look so
sweet. so supplant. so angelic. indeed,
that the child. surprised and conquered,
stood waiting for what might happen.
TortillOn. overcome with JOY, adj
dressed to heaven Il silent tribute OF
thankfuineSS. and plunged into q few
cred ecstasy: she seemed spellbound
by the child.
Unfortunately. it was an intoXication
that demanded to bc satiated by st!ll
dcpccr intOxication. The little girl east
shy clanccS ut the hunchback from
time 10 time. The latter beckOned her
nearer. There was now such %ert'n-
ness in tho bcGGar's cyes-surh lov,
such brauty-that her hideouSneSS
seemed to disappear and the child was
reaSSurcd.
"What is your name:' asked Tortil-
lon.
"Lucette GARNER"
The poor woman seemed to hesitate,
then formed sudden resolution.
"Lucette. would you do me a great
charity
"Ah, yes: but have not n SOU"
A tear fell OH Tortillon'S cheek.
THAT is not the charity 1 mean"
Lucette. who did not understand how
one could give aims without sous, was
silent. Tortillon crept nearer, and,
softenins her voice. as we'll as her eyes,
said: twill you kiss me-"
Her plaintive tone. and the effort she
made in saying this, would have
touched a savage. Nevertheless. the
little girl recoiled, filled with fright.
Sobs burst from the mendicaW
throat. Speeches., Lucette felt that
she was going to weep also. Tortillon
saw this, and made an effort to con-
troll herself.
"I do not know how to tell you. vet
l must. Lucette. there is not in the
whole world anything more beautiful
than little children-than you. To-day,
in this sunlight, they are divine. Luz
cette. | would give my life II Eou
would kiss me! This desire has been
with me long time. You do not TN
dcrstand. perhaps no one has ever
kissed memo one. 1 have imagined
that / would faint from JOY if l were
to see child's arms stretched toward
me-if I were to receive kiss from
its little mouth. am not old; l am
frichtful. that is all: but l have heart.
All. could but be a mother-to have a
child-I would be mad with joy
Lucette. amazed. looked at Tortilllon
without fully understanding what shH
said: but a singular emotion disturbed
her. and in her eyes was a great pity.
81 do not wish to die without having
been kissed hv child" the wretched
woman continued, with great intensity.
'It must be a wonderful sensation
delicious-like something from para
disc. That is why I run after the little
ones. Fools say that it is because
wish to kill them-that am a witch.
To kill them, A witch! All. If l were
n witch I should desire that woods.
roads and the whole world were h'led
with children. If I were a witch.
I.ucette, in order to thank you for hav-
ing listened. I would make you queen
Kiss me. beg you. Do not look at me
so-but kiss me-.
She stretched her arms toward the
child. In her celestial eyes was so
much supplication that Lucette, con-
ouered. drew nearer. What a contrast
there was between the sweet chlld
and that horrible creature. However
the little one put forward her sweet
face and slightly touched Tortillons
forehead with her lips.
Tortillon, then all trembling, wrapned
Lucette in her arms, and covered her
with kisses.
Al the same instant the poor woman
heard something hiss through the air
near her quick as lightning. she re-
ceived a shock, and fell to the ground.
her head bleeding from wound. while
Lucette's father grasped the child and
rubbed her face with his handkerchief.
as if he would efface stain.
Some hours later, still on the road,
while in the distance the sun was slow
" sinking in a sea Of gold, Tortil!on'
with her forehead cut, her eyes stupe-
fed and with blood on her hands and
face rose heavily, and turned her back
on the village.
What had happened?
Lucette's father had aroused the
whole country. They were going TO
kill her: she would indeed have been
torn IN nieces had il not been for the