The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1859-11-30

qualntance. Ii Miss Belle, your daughter
would play my chaperone, it would be the
better for our scheme
Miss Belle was gay, rollicking girl of
eighteen, with black eyes, and a merry,
laughing mouth, was especially fond of
adventure, and being let into the secret,
gave her ready assent to accept my pro-
tection-.for that erening only-as the
playbills say.
The next morning I received special
card of invitation to attend Mrs. John
sons soiree in l4th street.
At the proper hour handed Miss Belle
r. - from the carriage in from. of
the house, and led her into the grand re-
Iception-room. ..-
had got myself up in tremendous
style was supposed to be determined
to make hit-whether I did or not, will
appear in time. 1 am afraid that, if ask
ed, could not hare told the use of all
the jewelry l wore. Certainly it was that
I had plenty Of it-rings in abundance
not exactly in taste--but like my watch
chain, belted across my vest, and large
seal dangling from my fob--all spurious
they were my bats, which l had thrown
out as an angler throws out single line.
with dozen hooks at the erd Of it.
That was my cash capital, upon which l
would win my fortune Of success. If
there was pick-pocket there, 1 was de-
termined he should have fair chance at
it, though like the angler referred to, if
he bit at the bait, he would find hook in
| it, for every article was fastened with a
secret steel chain! The pleasures of the
evening procee led. | was introduced
to several interesting ladies and gentle
men of congenial temperament, and as l
conversed. apparently unconscious of any
purpose, I scanned carefully each indi-
vidual of the company. .
BELIEF in q whisper. ... ,..r ...
What, Mr.. LIE CLAIM .---
| Who is that singular looking lady in
the center of that group near the wind
own t -.. -@ @'
4NNhy do you think her singular look
in.?' asked Belle R--, in a tone Of
curious surprise.
'Decause it is so.' l replied. Her
face is pale almost 10 ghastliness, except
the one little spot where she paints, while
her black eyes dance about like meteors
and her raven hair seems like an ebony
coffin revealing dead face. She is dres
scd in mourning, aud yet she is the mos
gay and fascinating person in the room.
Belle almost held her breath as | CAV,
tits description, and< with her hand OF
ms arm and blank expression upon he
, face, she said
You don't think
! Who is she?' l repeated quickly.
J Madame Delaunsy. Of Paris
Madame Deauney!' | murmured t.
= myself The friend Of the Hon. Nj
: Intendant of French Police Umph!'
t Don't you think her very handsome!
. said Belle.
e Yes, as a vulcanized de medecis II
S troduce me-
c Something in my manner must hav
impressed my fair chaperone with the ide
r of an adventure, for the introduction wa
: made with evident embarrassment on he
It part. and she fingered close by gazing
o the faces of Madame Delauney and myse
IS with an air of puzzled curiosity.
h AS my inquiring glance met that {
IS Madame Delauney, thought detectc
3 something like start-it was not percel
tible-a mere shrinking Of the pupil of Il
IF eye, double palpitation Of the heart
n as she seemed to read my vocation ct
!. glance, and felt fash of fear This ms
: however, have only been the result of N
II own conviction. She was dressed in wh
IS is termed second mourning, consisting
1t black satin skirt with founces fringe
= and embroidered with green leaflets, piI
IN bodice, cut low in the neck, and borde
r ed with dark velvet. The sleeves we
sr exceedingly wide, with loose white .unde
A. sleeves. A blue scarf eEcircled her wais
le She wore no ornaments, save pla
s, breastpin, and a solitary diamond ring u
le on her middle finger. -.-.
Having made this scrutiny at CLAN
l during which she seemed to have dol
If the same with me, l summoned all my I
- sources, and at once began in French.
at Seemed pleased at my addressing her
H. that language, and, whether the rest we
rk ignorant of the tongue, or from wh
cause l know not, we soon found ourselv
ia alone. The fair widow seemed quite Ii,
a y, and had it not been for her whi
el- ghastly expressionless face. she wou
ch have been handsome indeed. But add
p to this, there was wild, feverish fire e,
at burning in her black, dazzling eyes, viii
at every varying emotion, seemed to thr
as off sparks like that from hardened st
nd when smitlen..
an We soon became quite intimate, ant
ge was on tie point of inviting her TO
promenade in the garden, and had j
~ turned my head to look for Miss R
when l heard slight click!-and fel
lot gentle pull about my waist. l did
ID, start, for almost expected It; but lo'
IRE ing around carelessly, l met the cold f
lures and fiery eyes of Madame Delau!
,,r,ed unon me- and thought T 90