Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1861-01-26


dance-not exactly in taste-but. like N,
watch chain, belted across my vest aad 1
large seal dangling from my fob-all spuriou,
they we're my bats which i had thrown
out as an angler throws out o single line
with dozen hooks at the end Of it, Tha,
was my cash capital, upon which would win
my fortune OF success. II there was pick
pocket there, ! was determined that he should
have fair chance at il. though, like the
angler referred to, If he bit at the bait, be
would End q hook 10 it, for every article was
fastened with secret steel chain.
The pleasures Of the evening proceeded
] was introduced to several interesting ladies
and gentlemen Of congenal temperament
and, as l conversed, apparently unconscious
OF any purpose, scanned carefully the face Of
each individual Of the company.
"Belle 7" in o whisper.
"What, Mr.. lie Claire"
"Wbo is that singular looking lady in the
centre of the group by the window p
why do you call her singular looking"
asked Belle R, in tone Of curious sur
prise.
Because it is So" I replied. "Her face
is pale almost to ghastliness, except the one
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 dressed in mourning, and yet
she is the most gay and fascinating woman
in the ROOM"
Belle almost held her breath as gave this
description, and with her hand on my arm,
and q black expression on her face, she said !:
"You don't think"
"Who is she 2" repeated quickly.
"Madame Delaney, OF Paris"
"Madame Delaney" i murmured 10 my
self. "rhe friend of Hon. Mr.. F., the widow
Of the Assistant lntendant of the French
Police. Umph" 49,.
Don't you think her very handsome ?"
asked Belle.
Yes, as a vulcsnised de Medecis. intro
duce me-"
Something 10 my manner must have im'
pressed my fair cbaperone with the idea oi ao
adventure, for the introduction was made
with evident embarrassment on her part, and
she fingered close by, gazing id the faces OF
Madame and myself with an air OF puzzled
embarrassment.
AS my inquring glance met that Of Ma.
dame Delaney, thought detected some
thing like o start-it was not perceptble-a
mere shrinking Of the pupil OF the eye, o
double palpitation OF the heart-as she seem
cd to read my vocation at a glance, and felt
been only the result Of my convictivu. She
was dressed in what is termed second mourn
ing, consisting of black satin SKIRT with
flounces fringed and embroidered with green
leaflets, pink bodice cut low in the neck,
and embroidered with dark velvet The
sleeves we're exceeding wide, with loose white
undersleeves. A blue scarf encircled her
waist. She wore no ornaments, save plain
breast pin, and 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 re-
sources, and at once began an attack 10
French. She seemed pleased at my address
ing her in that language, and, whether the
rest were ignorant Of that tongue, or Iron
what cause know not, we soon found our
selves alone. The fair widow seemed quite
| lively, and, had it not been for her white
! ghastly expression Of face, would have beef
| Q3ito handsome indeed. But, added TO this
! there was o wild, fsverish fire ever burning
iu her black, dazzling eyes, which, at ever.
varying emotion, seemed to throw oil spark
like those from hardened steel, when smitten
We soon became quite intimate, and l was
on the point Of inviting her for promenad
in the garden, and had just turned my bea
to look ut Mrs. R, when heard sligh
click !--and felt gentle pull about my waist
did not start, for had almost expected it
but looking round carelessly, met ,h
cold features and fiery eyes OF Madame De
lauuey turned upon me, and thought
could perceive purple hue ripping beneat
the surface of her pale skin, like the wave
of lake. l did not look down fortunatel
it was not necessary, for Madame Delaney
hack uae fouardo a laroa MAR mirror and a
glanced into it, bebeld-my watch chai
hanging from my vest pocket one side of
had been cut
l was now convinced. The mysterior
adept at pocket pieking. who had thrown th
creme de la creme OF New York into a fit
regular excitement, and made them fear
appear u public with their jewelry-the bein
who had caused each one OF the first circle
to mistrust the honesty OF the otber-stoc
before me. Yet how to proceed? II woul
not do to arrest her on the spot-Mrs. Johl
4, son would never forgive me for the scand
il would create, and the whole company los
their enjoyment. was in q delemma, an
! as one oil the young widows friepds approach
} ed, made my obeyssnce and turned ava
} As | walked towards Miss Belle her moths
intercepted me, aud asked what prospects
; had we're there any suspicious persons
tue COmphuy
Several madam" l replied with moe
3 gravity.
b "Gracious me Who are they?"
t "Mr. lie Clair, whom you introduced"
r replied, laughing.
: mo jesting," said she. "Have you lear
ed auythiugi'
put my hand down to show her my c,
8 watch chain, but it was gone The fish bi
: run away with bait, hook and all.
The affair was getting serious, and o
I" cited.
"My dear Mrs. R." said ], "give you
( self no unessiness; you will lose DO mo
o jewelry after to night. Permit me 10 spe'
a word with Belle"
fastening to the side Of my fair cbspero
! whispered
"Can you be discreet 7"
"As wisdom" she said, smiling.
"And play part p
"Like ie grande trdgdienne" :"
@ "Thep invite Madame Delauney to prom
l. made on the rear piazza-the uight is beau
d ful-from there stray into the garden, al
II take position near the gate which ope
into the next street. Keep her engaged, d
,f be astonished at nothing that occurs"
}. Belle arched her brows understanding
., and nodding assent. i next strolled cal
y fully into the hall, opened the front do'
b aud looked out. Raising my huger, the d
YER Of my own carriage approached. 1t
d almost needless to say that he was poli'