, 1861-05-30

most the only clue, resolved to work on It
Taking list Of all the pawnbrokers in New
York and Boston, made thorough inventory
Of their recent jewelry receipts, but could find
nothing to match my bracelet, nor accord my
description Of the articles. What was obe done
nextf
asked myself this question as was seated in
the office after my long tiresome and fruitless
search In moment ! was in the carriage
again, and off to Mrs P's.
| WHAT have you gained . clue alreadyI"
she exclaimed, as entered hastily.
"Not yet" ! replied; shut all is not lost that
is missing. Tell me who gives the next cOnuersa.
tioae in your circlei"
"Mrs. Bates"
"WhenI" ...
Tomorrow evening"" ...
Can you get a billet d sntrssf"
Certainly"
"Then procure It Immediately for Mr. Alb.
hott, Louisiana planter Of your acquaintance,
who is sojourning for q while at the fremont
House. II Belle, your daughter, would play my
chaperone, It would be much better for our
! scheme"
Miss Belle p, q gay frOIicking girl, with black
eyes, and merry, laughing mouth, was especially
fond Of adventure, and being let into the secret,
gave her ready assent to accept my protection
for that evening only-as the play-bils say.
vitation 10 attend Mrs. Bates soiree in Chestnut
street.
| At the proper hour ! handed Miss Belle P.
from the carriage in front Of the house, and led
her into the reception room. had got myself
up in tremendous STYLE l was supposed to be
determined to make hit. Whether did or not
will appear in time. am afraid that If asked,
could not tell the use Of the jeweiry wore.
Certain it was that had plenty Of it-rings in
abundance-not exactly in taste, but, like my
watch chain, belted across my vest, and q very
large seal dangling from my fob-spuriOus
thrown out as an angler throws out single line,
with dozen hooks at the end Of it, That was
my cash capital, upon which l would win my
fortune Of success. If there was Q pickpOcket
there, was determined that he should have a
fair chance at it, though, like the angler referred
10, it he bit at the bait he would find hook in
it, for every article was fastened with q secret
steel chain.
The pleasures Of the evening proceeded.
was introduced to several interesting ladies and
gentlemen Of congenial temperament, and as !
converscd unconscious Of any purpose, scanned
carefully the face Of zach individual Of the com-
pany.
%%bset g Wiz y MI r. lSEbSjjsspsS -~g
"who is that singular looking lady in the
centre Of the group by the Window"
"Why do you call her singular looking |"
asked Belle in a tone Of serious surprise.
because she is So" replied. I" Her lace Is
pale, almost to ghastness, except where she
paints, while her black eyes dance about like
IneteorS, and her raven hair seems like an ebony
collin revealing dead face. She is dressed in
mourning, and yet she is the most gay and tas'
cnatng woman in the ROOM" n
Belle almost held her breath as gave this de-
scrptiOn, and with her hand on my arm and .
MI has e.a.s aha
"YOu don't think"
"Who is she :" replied quickly.
"Madame Delauney."
"Madame Delauney," murmured to myself
The friend Of Mr.. T., the widow Of the Assist
ant Int ,dent Of the French Police. Umphl"
"DO you not think she is Pretty'" inquired
Belle.
"Yes, as vulcanizcd de Medicis. Introduce
me-"
Something in my manner must have impressed
my fair chaperone with the idea Of IN adventure,
for the introduction was made with evident en-
barrassInent on her part, and she fingered close
by, gazing in the face Of the lady and myself
with an air Of puzzled embarrassment.
As my inquiring glance met that Of Madame
Delauney, thought detected something like
a start-a mere shrinking Of the pupil Of the
eye, double palpitatiOn Of the heart-as she
seemed to read my vocation at glance, and felt
fash Of fear. This may, however, have been
only the result Of my own conviction. She was
dressed in what Is termed second mourning, con.
sisting Of black skirt, with Hounces ifinged
and embroidered with green leaflets, pink bo-
dice cut low IN the neck, and embroidered with
dark velvet The sleeves were xceedingly wide,
with loose white nnderseeves. A blue scarf
| encircled her waist. She wore no ornaments
save plain solitary diamond ring upon her
middle finger.
Having made this scrutiny at glance during
which she seemed to have done the same with
mel summoned up all my resources, and At
once began an attack in French. She seemed
pleased at my addressing her In that language,
\ and whether the rest were ignorant ol that
tongue, or from what cause know not, We soon
found ourselves alone The far widow seemed
| quite lively, and had il not been for her white,
| CHASTITY expression Of face, would have been
| quito handsome indeed. But, aided to this, there
was wild, fevetish FIRE burning in her black
eyes, which at every varying etn Ition seemed TO
throw of sparks. like those Of hardened steel
] when smtten.
We soon became quite intimata, and was on
the point Of inviting her to promenade, and had
| Just turned my head 10 look at Mrs. p, when
heard a slight click! and felt gentle pull about
| my waist. did not start, for had almost ex-
pected il but looking round carelessly ! met
the cold features and fiery eyes Of Madam De-
launey turned ~ on me, and ] thought ] could
perceive purple hue ripping beneath the sur.
face o" her skin, like the waves Of lake. I did
not look down; fortunately twas not necessary,
for Madame Delauney's back was turned toward
large pier mirror. and as glanced into Il, !
beheld my vest chain hanging frum my vest
pocket; one end Of Il had been cut
was now convinced The mysterious adept
at Pocket-picking, who had thrown the creme Dc
u creme ol Boston in fit Of excitement, and
made them fear to appear in pubic with their
ljewelFy-the being who had caused each one OF
the frat circles TO mislrust the honesty Of the
other-siOOd before me. Yet how to proceed