Paula the Waldensian - Eva Lecomte

Not being able to accomplish this, he gave her a ferocious kick, which
caused Paula to let go with a cry of pain. She now saw that her efforts were
useless.
"See here," she said to him, after a few seconds' thought, "If you give me
the cat, I'll give you four cents."
"Ah, you haven't got four cents."
"Yes, I have; I have it here in my pocket"
"All right, let me have the money."
"No, no," said Paula, "if I give you my four cents first, I know you will
never let me have the cat. Come, give him to me," she said beseechingly;
"he's never done you any harm and you have made him suffer so much." But
Joseph refused this appeal. With a diabolical grin he raised the cat again to
swing it over his head. There was a meow of agony--but it was the last one!
In spite of her former lack of success, Paula made one supreme effort to
rescue the cat. Somehow the string got loose, the cat escaped, and was soon
lost to view.
Then the rage of the young ruffian knew no bounds as he turned to
Paula.
"Run, run!" I cried; but Joseph and his companions cut off the only path
of escape.
Crazy with terror, I began to yell, "Help! help!" with all my strength; but
the boys drowned my cries with their own shouts. This very circumstance
saved us. I saw someone coming to our help.
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