The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1865-03-04


English, 80 correctly spoken-plainly
knowing that either she was, or knew
me TO be a foreigner, or perhaps both
made me still moro eager to fathom the
mvstery. Perhaps some may blame me,
knowing, as I did, there was mistake,
for seeking to find out that which did
not concern me; and have nothing to
saw in my defense, except that l saw be-
fore me the prospect Of q novel adven-
ture, the temptation of which / was not
lust then in the humor to resist 70
! The French Opera House had three
main entrances, for three ranks, on as
many streets. namely, one on Lepelletier
for those who came in carriages, one on
Pinon for those who came in fiacres, and
one on Grange Batahere for those who
came on foot. My fair unknown had
stated that she would leave by the Rue
Lepelletier-which went far to prove that
she laid claim to the highest rank among
those present, if not indeed amsng society
in general-and I went out on the Rue
Pinon to order fiaere. and join her at
the Place Vendome.
reached the Place first, and dismissed
nv driver before her carriage appeared,
which stopped near the triumphal pillar
of Napoleon 10 Grand. AS / fastened up
to the carriage-which was plain black,
without em6lazoury of any kind-the
door was opened by small, gloved hand
from the inside, while the driver sat still,
neither turning his head to the right nor
left. l could just see that my fair un-
known was its only occupant, and qui-
city entered and took my seat beside her,
feeling little nervous and somewhat
guilty, must confess The door was
then shut quickly l heard the sharp
snap of a spring, the blind was let down,
and we whirled away in almost total
darkness.
For nearly an hour we rode i'll silence
through the streets of the great city, L
seeing nothing but the dim form of the
fair unknown beside me, and having no
idea of the direction we were going. |
thought over some curious stories had
heard # strangers being by one means
and another decoyed into dens of rob
bers, and began to feel rather uneasy =
Ny pistols had been left at my hotel, and
had lot single weapon with me, I'M
less a small pocket knife might be so
called. / had not the feeling, moreover,
of acting in a right and honorable man
ner, to give me manly courage; and l
could not but admit to myself that,
should harm come to me through this
adventure, it would in great measure
be owing to my own folly.
| had been thinking this matter over
for some time, and had just come to the
determination Of declaring there had
been some mistake, and taking "a hurried
leave, when the carriage came to sud
den stop.
I'VE are at last" said tho sweet, must
cal voice of the fair masker-the silvery
tones of which, coupled with my native
language, tended much to reassure me.
The next moment the door was opened
by the driver AS descended the steps
and offered the lady my hand, glanced
quickly around, and perceived that we
were in All inner court, surrounded on all
sides by lofty buildings. If had really
been entrapped, escape was now impos-
sible, and sudden feeling of alarm made
even my hand tremble. 49,.
Come, my friend" pursued the lady,
whose face was still concealed by the
mask; and taking my arm as she spoke,
she led me forward to door, which she
unlocked and threw open.
All was dark inside, and fancied the
air felt cold and damp. / hesitated, and
even drew step back.
what" she exclaimed, with light
laugh, ARE You afraid to enter here to-
night, Sir Richard, where you have so Of
ten been with me beforel"
These words convinced ME that l had
indeed been mistaken for somebody else
no less, in fact, than an English baro-
net--and determined me to go forward
and SEQ the end of the strange affair
THO RE CONTINUED