The Shasta courier., 1869-01-23


terested In him. The rest we have already
told. - 'e "''eauy
one OF Laromie's weak points was yani-
W and here pretty woman could ALWAYS
strike successful blow. He had become
completely fascinated with Madame de
Noel; and, while he sat with her in the
box, the demonstrations of his admiration
We're so marked that the lady had several
times to remind him that they might be
observed by some of the audience. When
the performance was over, the lady asked
hin if he would go home with her to sup
per; and he, overjoyed, consented.
When they reached the residence of
Madame de Noel, the carriage passed into
the courtyard and they left They entered
a dimly lighted hall, aud passed into a
sumptuously furnished apartment, brilliant
ly Illuminated. A footman received Mad
ame, and took charge of the cloak and hat
which she laid aside. Laromie afterwards
remembered that she looked at the man in
a peculiar way as she bade him have the
supper ready as soon as possible; but he
thought nothing of it at the time.
Madame seated herself in a luxurious
arm chair, and Laromie threw himself on
a cushion at her feet. For long while
neither spoke. A strange silence had fallen
over them. All the while, however, the
young mans head rested against the arm of
her chair, and one of her hands PLAYED
carelessly with his hair
A slight noise in the apartment caused
the detective to raise his head. But he
could not raise it high enough to see any,
thing, Madame's hand rested on it heavily.
" Bah 1t is nothing, my friend" she
said quickly.
At the same time he felt himself borne
to the floor by an irresistible force, and be
fore he could recollect his wits, which he
did not have about him at the time, he was
bound hand and foot, and left helpless on
the carpet. Glancing up he saw the room
was full of men,
+" What does this mean ~ he demanded
sternly.
=" 1t means, Monsieur Laromie," replied
the lady, smiling sweetly, " that you will
not sup with me tonight"
" 1t seems that have been very great
fool" said he bitterly.
q agree with you, Monsieur" laughed
the lady.
"Stand aside" said one of the men,
coming forward. {" Let me speak with
him. Do you know me, Monsieur ?" he
asked.
Yes replied Laromie; you are
Frederick Roulier-known to the Govern
ment as the President of Socialists Club
Captain of a 5arricade, and a general pro-
moter of disorder. These men, | suppose,
are your confederates.
Precisely so, Monsieur. You have
been for long time as anxious to capture
us as we have been to secure you. Fortune
has favored us, this time, and you are now
our prisoner Perhaps you would like to
know what we intend doing with you"
i" That is matter Of Indifference to me"
said the detective, coolly-
Your courage is undoubtedly great"
said Roulier g but we must put it to the
test. We have decided long ago, Monsieur,
that you must die. We would carry out
the decision tonight; but all of our club,
are not present. Tomorrow night the alb
sent ones will return and then we shall
proceed TO infict our vengeance upon you
Your heart will be cut out Of your living
body May heaven preserve your sou, "
he added, mockingly, =" for your earthly
part is doomed" :"
/" Do not be too sure of that" exclaimed
Laromie Indignantly l was never born
to die by the hands of such cowardly mis-
creants.
The socialist leader laughed.
All, Monsieur Laromie," he said sar-
castically, Why would you not be warned
byyour friends? Women will be the death
Of you, | fear"
" Who is this woman ~ asked the de-
tective, not needing the taunt.
/" Let me answer that" said Madame de
Noel Monsieur Laromie, she added,
" am one who has long owed you a debt
of vengeance. Two years ago you arrested
a woman named Marguerite Poison, charg-
ed with numbering French soldier She
was tried by your Courts, and condemned
to death That woman was my mother"
4" Well" said Laromie, calmly, "she
was not executed"
"No; but she was transported"
" But the Government subsequently par
dOned her, and gave her permission to re-
turn to France"
True; but the pardon was too late
When it reached Algeria, my mother was
dead 1 swore to be revenged on you. |
hate you as he that caused my mothers
death, and l shall witness your execution
with joy"
"What is your name p
" Madeline Desmouine"
"Then you are the mistress OF the chief
of this club. A pretty couple, truly, and a
pretty scrape you have gotten me into
Well, then, Madame Julia de Noel, alias
Madeline Desmouline, if it will afford you
any satisfaction, know that instead of caus-
ing your mothers death, tried to save
her. In the discharge of my duty, ar
rested her; and, although | believed her
guilty of the offence charged against her,
| pltled her. To oblige me, the Chief of
Police interceded with the Minister of
Justice, and procured the change of her