Democratic enquirer. [volume] (M'arthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1867-1873, 1868-09-24
SflffteN Stsrn.
THE MYSTERY OF MRS. BROWN.
rFrom the Galaxy.l

III WIS uhOlt %
the six months spent in Rome in tn
years 1862 and 1868, to take a short wal
before breakfast. Generally went troI
my lodgings to the Piazza di Spagnf
. through the Via Condotti and the Corso, t
the dingy shop of an old bookseller, stu
ated in the Piazza di 1Iontecitorio. | ha
several reasons for going by that peculia
place, which it is not my purpose to dis
close at present-there was one reason why
if had been perfectly free, should hav
walked through any other streets, to an,
other place in Rome. Yes, verify believ
that for certain overwhelming motives,
should have preferred daily walk through
the hateful catacombs with no other com
panion than the learned but tiresome anti
uuarian who conducts professional sight
seers through these subterranean vaults
Even he would have been far less shocking
to my ssnsibilities than the individual who
was always waiting for me at the corner OF
the Via Condotti and the Corso, and who al
ways went with me to the old booksellers
shop.
I am not romantic, and am no particular
admirer of a woman. If were should
probably have been delighted with the great
opportnnities for intrigue which were
Afforded by the association thus forced up
on me, lor my companion was woman,
young, pretty, well.dressed. and well-bred,
except that she would persist in forcing an
acquaintanceship upon me which she must
have perceived was disagreeable.
have tried many ways Of avoiding her.
short of altogether giving myaccustomed
exercise. | even went so far as to intimate
in very significant language, that l prefer
red taking my walk without being accom-
panied by her. / could not omit it often
or defer il to another hour without incur
ring the risk of greater difficulties than any
she was likely to lead me into, and finally
accepted my fate with resignation, and
submitted toa quasi companionship, which
was anything but pleasant
From the first noticed that there was
something strange about the lady, aside
from her very singular behavior. There
were certain appearances, which to my not
inexperienced eye, indicated great emotion
al disturbance, and there was at times an
underlined air of weariness and sorrow in her
bearing, which would have excited my
sympathy if I had not at very early period
Of our intercourse formed strong suspicious
as to their cause.
She always came in her carriage, ahght-
ed, and sending it away, bade me good
morning and joined me; walking by my
side with her arm in mine, she always kept
up continual conversation, always on one
topic, until we reached our destination
then she entered the shop with me, and be-
coming intently engaged with the books,
left me TO myself, till, her carriage, inabout
an hour, called for her; Then with few po-
lite words to myself and the old bookseller,
she stepped lightly into the vehicle, and
was driven away, taking with her the vol
umes she may have purchased, These
books were always such as related to the
subject of her morning conversation.
At last the time came Tor me to leave
Rome As it approached l noticed that
her demonstrations towards me increased;
and that, moreover there was degree or
anxiety manifested by her countenance and
demeanor which convinced me that the de
Rouement of her singular conduct was at
hand All tls tended to rouse my curios-
ity. There was mystery connected with
myself that | was anxious to conceal, and
to do which had required my strongest
efforts. This had prevented me from
taking any interest in the affairs of my ma
tutinal companion; but the persistency and
determination which had characterized her
actions at length began to impress me, and
so on the morning before / left Rome,
when, with hesitating manner, as if not
sure of doing right, but as if irresistibly
impelled, she invited me to dine with her
that day accepted, not only with great
promptness, but really with good deal of
pleasure.
Perhaps some of the wiseacres who read
this fragment may think me q fool, or at
any rate deficient in ordinary force d char
acter, to allow myself to be prosecuted by
woman whose attentions might readily
have shaken off by calling the nearest
policeman. They are at perfect liberty to
think what they please. l have long since
passed that point of my existence when 1
cared for the opinions Of fmankind. Ishall,
therefore, make the explanation of my
course. / will however, say that / was
never regarded by those who knew me as
being lacking in sense or strength Of mind.
On the contrary, was, and am, man of
strong will, accustomed to have my own
way, and perhaps somewhat inclined to be
tyrannical. / thoroughly detested that wo-
man, and if could have kept her away
from me should not have hesitated to ex-
ert my power, or have been very scrupulous
as to the means. Suffice il to say, there
fore that / could not free myself from her,
and that was oblged&p treat her with q
certain amount Of cons Iteration.
As the hour approached for dining with
her began forming surmises as to what
might occur. had now known her about
four months Ihad met her first at the
old booksellers, and observipa n she
was in search of rare treatise pch l
had heard, had offered her nj lance
II was difficult undertaking ehpt 10
find anything there, and the olp proprietor
himself having lost the run of1nls books,
and being feeble with age, was unable to
give much aid, Practice had rendered me
perfect in such work, and in moment OF
thouQhtless politeness l had offered my
services As she turned toward me and
thankfully accepted them, l had good
view of her oountenance, which the dark
ness Of the dingy room had hitherto pre-
ventedme obtaining saw that she was
very beautiful and young--about twenty,
suppose, At first | took her to be English
but she had delicacy and refnment Of
features and expression which are very
rarely seen in women Of that nation, and
very soon made up my mind she was an
American. Her hands and feet were fault
less Itook special pains to satisfy myself
in regard TO them, and though the first
were eloyed, aud the latter as much as pos
able concealed by thick boots, knew they
were more perefct than any ideals formed
BY the sculptor's ehiSel. 's'" q ~ 81
As ! have said, was no particular adj
niirer Of women. had had ample oppor-
tunities for becoming thoroughly accq1aint-