True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1855-02-01

Count; the clothes were required for the
disguise Of the Countess, and the silver
money was also essential; and see, n,Gu-
vaiSe tete, here is the exchange l have
made added Lucille, who had a keen eye
to the main chance, displaying, with great
glce, several jewels, evidently of great
value.
The mental pallor of Paul Verdot's coun
tenance had not been in the slightest de-
gree diminished by his wifc's revelation, to
which he only family replied, by saying,
GO on, 90 on! What more?'
what more! Parleu, that surely is
enough? There is nothing else to say
that I know of, except that the Chevalier
Meudon, friend of the Counts, who has
been living perdu, not far from the back
of our premises, and who has frequently
slept in the stable, unknown to you, when
apprehensive he was beset, will, fear,
find it difficult to get off, as the Count in
formed me pursuers had obtained hint of
his hiding-placc. I thought it possible he
might have sought shelter here last night,
and that was one reason | sent everybody
away, and asked you to stop at home, who
l knew, would never betray poor hunted
fugitive. But, heavens, Paul, what is the
matter? Help! help! My God he is
dying?
He was not dying, but rapidly losing
consciousness; which, however, a glass
restored sufficiently to enable him to say,
in a rapid husky voice, Iisten, Lucille,
and hear how your accursed secret has
destroyed me. I found that fragment of a
letter, pursued you to Sells, and could
nowhere find you there I returned, era
zed in mind, utterly crazed for I swal-
lowed brandy at every cabaret upon the
road. I burst into the room, and, recli-
ming upon the canape there, saw the figure
of man asleep. Inmy frenzy rushed
at, grappled with him and was grappled in
return. A fierce, terrific conflict ensued.
Several times I dashed him upon the floor,
and at last received this blow on the fore
head which rendered me insensible. How
long remained so, know not The cold
air revived me, I got upon my feet, pro-
cured a light and saw that had killed my
antagonist, who was stone dead. Its use
less screaming, Lucille. In my horror
and distraction, | hit upon the mad expe-
dient of placing the body in a sack, bear
ing it forth in the dark night and casting
it into the Sommc l did so, amidst, as
distinctly heard, the mocking laughter Of
demons-human devils they were not, or I
should have been pursued. All all is
known, and I am LOST
The entrance of sergeant of the COM
mon guard was simultaneous with this ex-
clamation of Paul Verdot. Don't be
alarmed, my friends said the sergeant;
Il have called upon a slight matter of
form, nothing more. But upon my word,
Yerdot, that was droll freak last night.
There must have been an unusually large
number of petit vemes in that head Of
yours to have put such a fancy there
Shall I tell?' continued the merry func-
tionary.
'Yes-to be sure stammercd Paul, ut
terly confoundcd. what do you mean p
FegureS-couz citoyenne,' said the SER
geont, blandly addressing Lucille, this
charming husband of yours, who, however,
not bad fellow, coming home in such a
state, you being absent, as we know, that
upon finding, decently laid out upon this
canape, the dead body Of
Dead bodyT
Dead body, parbleu! that of the pros
crit Mendon; and as dead, I'll warrant, as
Louis Capet-killcd by couple of bullets
from the patriotic muskets of two Of our
armed citizens, who had started the aris-
tOcrat from his lair, Another glass?-
Well, yes; as you say, the weather is bit
terly cold this morning. Well, madame,
as was saying, wnat does your amiable
husband do whilst we are gone to procure
means of fetching the corpse, but come in,
pop it into a sack, carry it off, and pitchi it
into the Sonme Did you ever hear of
such a droll dog, eh? But, seriously,
you will come by-and-by to the Hotel de
Vile, and sign the process verbal, or there
may be difficulty in apportioning the re-
ward, which is handsome. Be it so, mad
ame--I cannot refuse lady; though re-
ally, three glasses, one after the other, is
no matter. Here is to our glorious Re-
public, one and indivisiblcl