, 1861-02-28
The Murderers' Inn.

a
could not help exclaiming, "Wel, Pierre, here
we are you see, safe and sound and rot eaten
up, as was led to suppose we should have been.
We are entirely out Of danger now, presume"
"I am not SO sure Of that SIR" was the reply
of my companiln. 1--WE may yet have difficult
ties to encounter"
ridicued the idea-laughcd at him for; bis
folly, and putting spurs to my gallant gray, de-
sired him to follow me.
had not cantered more than mile after leav
ins the forest, when, at the turn Of the road,
came suddenly on a cabaret, or roadside inn, as
you call it in this country. 1t might have been
an "duberge," for il gave promise Of more com
fort within than the ordinary dram-shOps which
arc to be found at every Cross road in France
We had been on horseback for some hours, and
| was not u little pleased at tho opportunity
which presented itself Of rest and refreshments.
As Pierre and myself rode up to the door Of
this rural hotel, he exclaimed, " C'este dole! the
landlord is, rather was, an old comradc Of ours,
at Mczieres, many years ago-there cannot be
two Maxine Bourdons in this part Of the coun.
try"
We were in the act Of dismounting. when a
bareiooted urchin beckoned US to ride round in
the stable yard by the side gate. We did SO;
and having directed Pierre to look after the
horses, ! was OH the point of making my way to
the front house, when my attention was attracted
by female figure, Of no ordinary mould, on
rude wooden balcony which ran around this pnr-
ton Of the premises and from which staircase.
or rather steps, communicated with the yard be-
low and close to the end Of this open verandah
aud with the sweetest tone imaginable said Par
lei, Monsieur sill viOus paiL" In three bounds
was OH the platform by her side, for a Petticoat
had ever irTesisi le attractions for me, aud she
led the way to an ndferently furnished apart
\ IN nnl. "a he
sale a.manger
Travellers Of ali ages, from sixteen to sixty, in
all countries from time immemorla, have assumed
tO themselves the privilege Of tcazlng with cham
bermadS aud female wait, rS--a squeeze OF the
hand sly pinch, or even kiss, are the usual
familIaIiIieS, which, not being interdict,d, very
frequently have given prcsciiptive right to
these ranlblcrs TO accost thus unceremOniOusly
every f,male who may he doomed to servtude.
Tie lovely cOuntenance Of the captivating hand
maid before nc ov, rturned all my philosophy
more beautiful creature never brheld befre
nor sit c.. There was something SO disiingue in
her fac, the outlines Of which were the mOst
perfect it is possible u conceive, all expression
cannot d ,scr.br, but It was IrrcsiS:ibiy winning
a ID to these advantage s, 50 rare in one moving
in so humble sphere, were added grace and
a tournuIe ABSOLUTELY enchanting. In short,
was eperdamcas GmJI(a 4 at the first glance. 10
my surprise, she slTaIk trouI ue, aud rcpulsed
me in 50 determined, and, at the same time, so
dgnticd n manner that iOr the moment | was
thrown off my guard. Recovering from my sur
prise, renewed the attack but her tone and
manner were so decided, and the bearing Of this
sing1,sry beautiful girl, 80 lofty, firm, yet res
peclfu that was annoyed with myself for hav
ing been such fool There was nothing OF pru-
derry, or even Of anger in her dcmeanOr; for she
app, ared TO regard me with sorrow and mix
tnrc Of pity. In short, her behavior puzzled me
not little. Smartng under the rebuff, believe
said to her, rather waspishly, "Why do you
repulse mey | dare say | am not the hrst
young fellow who has fallen in love with your
pretty face; and perhaps have done no more
than others who have frequented this house.
What is the matter with you? You look un-
happy
She turned her eyes upon me with look
shall never forget to my latest breath, and ex-
claimed: t.-..
II am unhappy, wretched, miserable, and so
would you be, also, il you knew the doom that
awaited you"
{" And pray what is that ?" asked, incredu-
lously, for thought she was tritiing with me.
"0nly," she replied, ' that you have hot three
hours to live-by tt at time you will be corpse.
know not what impulse makes me say this to
you, but cannot resiSt 70 eNarning you Of your
inevitable fate. Escape is ho,'eess: aud you
will meet with the same end as the other victims
who have entered this room" ..
"rhis Is some idle fiction you have conjured
ur," replied, "to deter me from making love
10 you; peih,ps there is some lover in tho case,
aud you wish 10 frighten me by this most i'm.
probable story"
IL call God to witness that speak nothing
but the phi fu truth, she replied, "but stop
you shall know ALL"
Iluvinu s.iI this shp wont IN fln flnnr and
from thence into the passage, to listen it any
one were within hearing. Having aScerta'ncd
that all was safe, she returned, and closing the
door, she came up to me, and continued her ap.
paing communications.
She looked at the with tears in her eyes, and
then pointing to the floor, said, "Look At this
sand-did y, u ever see sand in sale d'mdngcr
and that, toe, on first tlooig Alas what scenes
Of blood have been enacted here! You have
ordered dinner, which is being prepared below
"a few minutes before it is ready, You will sec
three officers, in the uniform Cf the Imperial
Guard, ride into the courtyard they will call
loudly for the landlord-oTdcr dinner, champagne
and other luxuries. You will then be waited
upon by tho landlord himself, WhO will announce
the arrival Of his distinguished guests, and re.
quest, or such emergency, that you will permit
them TO dine in this room with you; Tor although
he has dinner sufficient lOr tive persons at one
Iab'c, yet u u were divided, u wOuIu not suhcc
for three and fr0 in separate apartmcnts--you
must comply; for refusal would only accelerate
your doom: by complying you will gain time,
aud God grant you may devise come plan, with
your servant, 10, frustrating the schemes OI these
blOod-thirSty wretches this dayy"
I was thIndcrstruck Us you may suppose. and
could hardly believe my senses. desircd this
lovely girl to send my servant up TO ne Us soOi'
a. she could without exciting suspicion. 1his
she did; and repeated 10 Pierre every word
she had till me. lie was incredulOus for a J ny
time. but upon NY dwelling on every minute
particular, he became more attentivC--althoush