Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1866-07-20

looked at the seal, which was a CupiC
escaping from a cage, held the paper
up to the light, while quiet smile
stole over his sedate countenance.
After q few minutes reflection. he
put the billet into his pocket, and
walked to the office ofhis friend Marc
Caussidiere, the chief of police.
"Mon cher Lascelles p exclaimed
that geniel and colossal person, "what
can [ have the pleasure of doing for
you? ?"
"a most important service-not SO
much for me as for society"
"Ah you interest me! Proceed" !"
q need not remind you, mon CHE,
Causidiere, Of the recent mysterious
dlsappearances: for instance, Mon
sleur Guerin, some eight months
since, the Chevalier de Bougars not
over three months ago, and not three
weeks since Lieu. Lassierre. Now,
L think | have found clue to this
mystery"
"Ynn delight mo-" said the chief of
police.
eyes; here is letter I have re-
ceiyed from some unknown person
it seems to be in womans handwrit-
ing, but the real sender may be man
as | strongly suspect it is. Now,
| do not intend, my dear Mare, to be
another mysterious disappearance, and
so | want you to assist me in caging
this beautiful decoy bird who has
lured so many to their ruin.
After some private conversation,
with which it is not necessary to make
the reader acquainted, Lascelles re
turned to his Office, having arranged
with the chief Of police the programme
of the evening.
Upon his return to his house that t
evening, he found his wife was quite
indisposed. She was in her own
boudoir, reclining on a lounge. An
nette, her favorite maid, was sitting
on low ottoman at her feet, reading
to her mistress a charming romance,
wherein the lover is really for once
the husband.
She lifted her eyes languidly as
LaScelles entered the apartment,
while he gently raised her hand and
kissed it, expressing his regret that
business of great Importance called
him away Immediately after dinner.
He rose, and when he had partaken
Of slight repast, he went to renew
his apologies to his wife for his una
voidable absence. Upon entering
his wite's boudoir, Annette met him
with raised finger and hushed voice,
saying, Madame is asleep"
Her husband expressed the pro
foundeSt sorrow, and said, 'houlSd,
she awake, tell her | will return in an
hour"
So saying, he descended the stairs,
and hastened to the rendezvous.
The letter was no hoax-there was
the carriage gave three
low whistIes-the driver descended
from his seat. 'Vendome," said Las
celles, in a low voice. The man
opened the carriage, let the steps
down, and LasceRes, the next minute
was by the side of the lady closely
yelled.
q am here" said he, "as you told
me-" The fair unknown pressed his
arm, but was silent. They drove
along for some short time in silence
At last Lascelles put his head out o
the coach and said, "stop here" Rails
ing the gloved hand of the mysteriou,
lady to his lips, he gallantly kissed it
and opened the carriage door, de
scended. When he had gained the
pavement, he said:
"My dear madame, permit me tt
ask you to descend from the carriage
[ have prepared pleasant little en-
tertainment, which, [ hope, will prove
an agreeable surprise for you, an(
raise me in your estimation"
The lady bowed, and descended il
silence.
The house she entered was a yer
! handsome one in the Rue st. Honoro
: "Will madame ascend the stairs t
! that room on the left ?"
Not preceiying that Mons. Lascelle
had left the house, the lady entere
the room; it was empty.
She took a seat and looked aroun
the room; it was neatly, almost ell
gantly furnished Ten minutes passet
: She became impatient. Going to tn
: door, she found it was locked. "Th5
is strangeI said she to herself, "bl
here is bell; | will ring;
In few minutes the door was II
locked, and man in the garb OF
y policeman entered the room.
Z "What does madame require p sa
: he bowling respectfully.
- "Where is the gentleman who can
= y with me ?" inquired the lady.
u y, He has left"
,t ''Left!' CALCULATED the lady," it
70 impossiblel"
j. at is true, for all that" rejoin,
N the official.
N "Did he know [ was waiting he
;S for him ?"
II Certainly" returned the oth'
~ with grave smile.
n "Are you sure of it?" eagerly as
40 ed the lady.
ou "Quite. He left Immediately aft
70 making his affidavit"
q "His afidavitr' To what ?"
I quired the lady.
We "To the charge against you"
,e. "The charge against me-you {
lis mad There is some strange mista
It in all thisr'