The Empire County argus., 1854-09-16

''o 'PN'@ A""SN az WIN young Ihii, lul
the Rue A1ontmartre. Let the squad follow IL,
without appearing to do so. Keep in the shadow of
the house. We shall enter house As soon as
the door has closed, demand instant sdmittance of
the porter. Let the sergeant follow hard upon my
heels, and wait outside the door Of whatever room
enter. At a call from me, let him be ready to
burst III and secure the person with whom | am in
company"
AS soon az he had given these directions the
police officer hastened back to the opera house,
where the mask was still awaiting him. Arm in
arm they left the hall, and chatting famliarly, en-
tered the Rue Montmartre and soon arrived at an
old house OF seven stories, to which they were ad-
mitted Ivy the porter Lacour's heart beat as ne
accompanied his guide in the dark, up three pairs
Of stairs-but before he had reached the head of
the third flight, he heard the street door open and
shut below, and knew that the sergeant had obeyed
his directions, and that help was at hand in case
his suspicious proved true.
The mask opened the door Of a room and usher
ed in his guest. 1t was small, boudoir-like apart
mcnt, and exquistcy furnished Silken hangings
fell over gold arrows, from the ceiling to the floor.
tapestry carpets, soft velvet covered the floor,
Rich ottomans, superb mirrors marble tables, and
pictures were crowded together. A soft light was
diFused through the apartment by an alabaster
shaded lamp. An Intoxicating perfume loaded the
atmosphere, and even oppressed the senses. La
cour, as he sank upon the sofa, felt overcome by
strange languor. The mask sat close beside him.
Captain" said the mask, in musical insinuat-
ing voice, have you ever loved ;"
Before answer this question" replied Lacour,
Il must first know what prompts you thus to cate
chze nc"
'Beca USE" replied the unknown, II have deceiv-
ed you--because | am woman-one who has long
known and loved you, till uncomfortable desire
make this confession, has impelled her to step
that you will blame and, perhaps despise her for"
Lacour was puzzled, and remained silent for
few moments.
Il see, said the mask with sigh 'you despise
me for my very boldness. Yet, am a lady OF rank
and reputation and my affection for you ID pure
as that OF maiden can be-"
Fair lady" said Lacour, if such you be indeed,
you must permit me to request you to remove that
envlous mask
ut may not be-" replied the stranger, with q
laugh. Ask that or presume to remove this
shield, and | vanish like q fairy phantom But
| if you promise to be very obedent, may give you
hopes Of disclosing my iace-perhaps my name
at our next interview But in reward for your sub
mission to my behsst will allow you, like beng-
nant sovereign, to do homage to my ungloved
! hand
She withdrew her kid glove, and presented play
fully, hand white 20 delicately veined, and
small, that Lacour could no longer doubt that he
was addressing lady lie raised the hand res
pectfully to his lips But he felt now that his sus
picions were groundess and that he did wrong in
deciying u person, who, however romantic and
! jusfable her behavior might seem, still one
entitled to respect and honor. But as he was fra
ming apology for taking advantage OF her mis-
taking him, the stranger suddenly sprang upon him
ike a tigress. The delicate hand he had just Kiss
ed now compressed his throat like an iron vice the
other suddenly brandished in the air small siirsr
hammer, while q fierce voice hissed in his car
'Lass.lle your hour has come Bclleyille, Des
cartes, and Alonval, have gone before you to an
swer for their crimes. You are the fourth and
last Die, villainln
| But Lacour struggled free, and shouted for help
/ The door fell with crash the soldiers poured in,
and the female assassin Was secured and dsarmed
Eager to unravel the mystery the police officer tore
/ the mask from the face of the unknown, and rec
ognixed in the wild and intlamed features Of the
assassin of the Rue La Harpe, the Rue Richelieu
and the Boulevard des ltaliens, his sister, Maria
Lacour
But Maria Lacour died not on the scafold. She
was saved from that doom by unquesonable proofs
of insanity. Her sad story was learned afterwards
from various Sources and corroborated in the most
cmportant particulars by Captain Lasselle who
was arrested for criminal offence shortly after the
| above incident, and made full confession Of his
guilt 1t appeared, then, that the house Of tho
widow Lacour, short time before the opening Of
our story, had been broken into by four villains,
named Belleville, Descartes Monval and Lasselle,
They were oil men Of bad habits, aud urgently ne
cessitous, but yet Of decent education and family
Hearing noise in the kitchen, Maria descended
only in time to witness the death-pangs Of the
mother The three frst-named rufhans demons
who had murdered to rob, wished to destroy this
witness of their guilt but the fourth interceded
and her life was spared, But the horror of the
Al.