Litchfield enquirer., 1865-03-16

glass. that had nevertasted anything better
 Try another glass one hardly gives you the Aavor! !! she said. tith her sweetest smile.
 s Ithanked her, reflhd the glass. took it ir
 my hand, and, soon maaged 10 get rid of it ir
 the same manner as tte other.
 'Now then,' she prsued, let us afranoe l our plan abont Marie while we have an op
 portunity You know the count opposes you,
 marriage, for no other leason than-Bnt' bv l ine-1se. Sir Richard. you have neglected tc True ? returned |; how could have heer ! so thoughtless ? relied the glass. .To ihe health ofmy dear Mari,, and our speedy nnion,
 continued, raising tito my lips. The eye oi my fairt hostess gleamhg with peculiar light was now watching me closely. .Hark !. said ] suddenly, looking quiRly round, what sound ssthats' t Where what. Sir Richard what do you hear?' she exclaimed with startled glance around the apartment. Il think was mistaken I said. after a snor. pause, during wlich I had managed to get rld of the wine without drinking it.
 When she turned to me again was in the act or removing the empty glass from my lips. Sne saw this and on the instant strange ex- pression of wicked triumph fitted across her beautiful features Itwas momentary but it was fiend-like. I felt my blood curdle. My worst suspicious then were just was 'e6 shared! How was Ito escape? Instantly resolved that she should not again quit my sight, and my hope lay only in threats upon her Fife. while alone with me and in my power. She now without alluding to the plan which we had ostensibly come together to discuss, com menced aa animated conversation about the masked bali-glancing furtively at me the while, as fanced to note the effects of the wine. To be certain was right in my sur. mise, Thought it best to feign heavy drow- siness, and secretly watch her motions I did ss. and gradually appearedto fail asleep. As she perceived this, the mask of nature was also removed, and saw her dark eyes gleam with deadly light, and her proud lip curl in scorn. ful triumph. At length she ceased speaking and for minute or two sat and watched me in silence. Then as if to make sure, she ap- preached and shook me, saying:
 You pay me but poor compliment, Sir Richard. to fall asleep in my presence! And then. on finding gave no sign of conscious ness. she added in quite different tone :: : Poor fooll it shall be my care you do not wake again! You have played your part to suit me, and now will play mine to suit my selfr 1S 55ssg.!.esf ! Sheturned away as if to leave the room, prob
 
 wicked work and at that moment laid hold of her arm. As she looked around in alarm. she found me wide awake, and my eye fixed upon hers, with severe and penetrating ex- pression. :a
 Madam, saidsI. in q low. stern, measured tone, sif you would save your guilty life do not attempt to escape, or call for help 1! I am mt the poor fool you suppose! You hnve played your part and mine! Do not datier yourself have been ensnared! know you and boldly came here to detect you in your guilt! Not a single drop of your poisoned wine has passed my lips! Your whole estab- lishment is under the surveillance of the po- lice! and unless return to my friends by day dread officers of the lrw, and every living soul in it will be taken into custody! Now mark we'll what say! You must instantly your self conduct me clear of your premises! and if you dare 10 falter in the least or attempt to raise an alarm, that moment you die Now give me your hand and lead the way!'
 White with terrified amasement. and tremb- ling like an aspen. the guilty, wretched woman stood covering before my stern, penetrating glance For nearly a minute she seemed too much overpowered to move from the spot ] took her hand, grasped it like a vice and si- lently pointed to the door. At length she went IorWard Wttn totteflng steps. Tn silence ene led me through the dark corri ior down the stairs, through the passage into the court. through another passage, and opened the last door that admitted me to life and light. Mora was just breaking and as felt the cool air of heaven on my fevered brow, and thought ofmy barrow escape from death. there came such a whirl. of strange emotions that Ireeled forward like man intoxicated!
 The mansion just quilted stood on the banks of the Seine, about two miles below the old city; and believe if 1 had drank the wine offered me, my rifled body would soon have been cast into thesrushing waters. believe the mansion, grand as it appeared. was only den of robbers and murderers- that the wodhan was simply beautiful decoy for strangers and foreigners--and that many a poor, unsuspectiug soul had taken it's flight from there to the eternal world! I did not communicate with the police, for the reason that in the first place, could bring nc charge efcrime against any and. in the second place. l did net wish to become involved with the French courts of law but thankful beyond expression for my own escape, I firmly re- solved neverto risk my life again in another mysterious adventure in Paris 1!