The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1869-08-21
Foiled by a Woman.
'EMadam, it is my duty to arrest


sion rather than fear, and the
lady stood before me like liOness
at bay. Even then | could not
help but note the splendid beau
ty of this grand lady. Tall and
slender, eyes black and flashing,
almost lurid now, the spectacle
she presented standing there in
the middle of the apartment, was
more the appearance of queen
than a hunted criminal.
II must," I replied. II do not
doubt your innocence; looking in
your face it is strange that any
one could couple it with guilt.
But | am constrained to do my
duty, madam, however inimicable
it may beto my feelings"
"Will you allow me to change
my dress 2" she said in a tone
almost pleasant. The hard lines
around the mouth had relaxed,
and the passionate glow on the
face gave way to a pleasant smile.
"Certainly, ] will wait for you
here.n
sIwish also to send a messen-
ger for a friend ; will you permit
him to pass ~
"Certainly!"
This was my firstinterview with
Euginia Cornille. [ had seen her
here for months, the leader Of our
gayest and most fashionable socie-
ty. In her splendid mansion she
dispensed the most profuse and
elegant hospitality.
A Spanish lady-a widow she
| had represented herself-and had
been a resident here almost a
year. No one ever suspected her
of being aught than what she
seemed, until one day | was order
ed to arrest her as murderess.
| 1t was now alleged, said Mr.. T ;,
that this young beauty was no
other than the woman whe had
poisoned her husband in Ha-
vana and fled with all his wealth.
An immense reward was offered
| for her apprehension, and the cir
cumStances that had come to our
| knowledge pointed here out be-
yond all doubt as the person we
were in search of. Yet, had the
person who had recognized hel
the evening before at the theatre.
| advised us to be careful lest she
should escape us. / laughed al
| the idea. Mr.. l., and myself were
surely sufficient to arrest a lady
We were old enough in the ways
of cunning to defeat any such at
tempt. When the lady left me,
stepped to the window and saiG
to Mr.. l., who was waiting at tht
door:
"The lady desires to send {
messenger for friend; suffer hin
! to pass I"
Almost at the same instant th,
door of the apartment the lad,
had entered opened, and a you'll
apparently mulatto bey--cam,
out and passed hurriedly through
the room into the hall, and from
thence into the street. It was
no doubt, the messenger, | though
and / picked up a book and com
meGced reading. Nearly an hou
passed, and still the lady did no
make her appearance, nor did th,
boy retul n. The friend she haC
sent for must live at some distanc
thought, or the lady is unusual
Ilv careful about .'er toilet; and 81
another hour went by. Atlast
grew impatient ana knocked a
; the door.
"Madam, I can wait no longer.
There was no reply. | knocked
repeatedly and at last determined
to force an entrance. Shang'
fears harassed me; | began to sus
pect, | knew not what. 1t took
| but moment to drive in the
door, and, once in the apartment
the mystery was revealed. Tht
robes Of the lady lay upon tht
floor, and scattered over the room
!, were suits of boys wearing ap
parel, similar to that worn by th,
mulatto. On a table was a cos
metic that would stain the ski
to a light, delicate brown.
] was foiled, for a surety th
lady had escaped in the disguis
!, of the messenger. I should hay
detected the rtse. | felt humilis
: ted and determined to redress m
D error. / knew she would not n
main in the city an instant longe
than she could get away. / hu
ried to her bankers; but foun
5, that she had drawn the amour