Los Angeles herald., 1907-03-17

ter" she said, gloatingly, slipping the
coin into her pocket "Ah, it takes me
to spot the givers and you to get it, my
pretty little daughter. Now, there comes
gay young couple. Quick!-the man!
See, them that's laughing and the girl
with the white furs on? Quickr' And
again Madame Blanchard drew within the
shadow of the doorway, pushing Lisa for
ward.
please, sir, give me a penny"
But the young couple did not hear the
plaintive child's voice at their elbow nor
see the pitiful face that looked up at
them. Before Lisa's request for aims
was finished they had passed on with
the crowd, laughing and gay, knowing
nothing but their own happiness.
"You little lmp!' cried Madame Blan-
chard, jerking Lisa by the shoulder.
why didn't you run along beside them
and pluck at the lady's skirt? You lazy,
worthless thing"
The next and the next nights were the
same. AS soon as 1t was dark out went
Madame Blanchard and her poor, suffer
ing little slaye-chlld to beg. During the
days the old woman lay about her room
eating, drinking and sleeping, while Lisa
did what work there was to do Once
the old woman had called Lisa to her
knees and In threatening voice had
warned her to keep secrecy. 'If / find
that you have breathed a single word to
anyone of how we live or where we go
In the evenings I'll beat you till you drop
helpless in your tracks and shut you in
the cellar with the rats for company.
Do you mind?"
And so poor little Lisa had been afraid
10 say word Of her most unhappy life
TO Pearl or Pearls kind-hearted parents
iao a., 30
bit of tea with them when old Madame
blanchard was away for an hour or so.
one evening old Madame Blanchard was
III, and as 1t was raining she decided to
send Lisa out to beg alone, cautioning
her 10 be careful in selecting her prey.
Choose only them as Is dressed well
and seems happy" she said. Now go,
and beg till you've got a dollar. Don't
you dare 10 come home with less. The
more you get the better you win sleep
tonight and eat tomorrow. Do you mlnd?"
Lisa went TO the corner where she
usually stood, for nearby was dark
and deep doorway, where old Madame
Blanchard could secrete herself as Lisa
begged. AS the rain was coming down
steadily and Lisa was thinly clad, with
only an old cape about her head and
shoulders, she shlyered with the cold and
dampness. Few people except the poor
'laboring class were on the street to-
night ana yainly did Lisa extend her
trembling hand for aims. A few took
pity on the woe-begone little creature aud
now and then penny was dropped into
her outstretched palm. But when great
clock near the rner struck nine, Lisa.
cold and exhausted, counted her money
ana found she had Just 10 cents. Ninety
cents TO get yeti Lisa shudderNd, for she
knew II would be impossible 10 beg that
much on a night like this. Indeed, II
was very seldom that she got more than
20 cents OF an evening aud rarely so
much as dollar What should she dor
She was cold hungry aud sick. The peo-
pie on the street were getting fewer and
fewer, all going 10 their homes as fast
as they could. Pretty soon she would be
alone except for the big policeman whom
she was taught to hide from by running
round the eorner-Eand an occasional pc
destrian. II she went home without the