The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1870-06-02
AN OLD TIME MYSTERY.

Inc young Hedu was InrOWn Dack naught1lV,
and the blue eyes flushed with passionate ex-
element.
She was a beautiful creature this fair gol-
den-haired girl. She was very young and
her petite figure looked almost childish
But for the rounded, Hebe-like form and per-
feet outline, one would have thought her a
child-a little girl indeed, with the sunny
hopes and dreaming tancies of childhood
but these disclosed a womanhood full of name
less grace, rich and rare in beauty Few
knew the world as we'll as she, this brilliant
little meteor, that had flashed upon society,
turning mems heads, and making fair lady
mad with jealousy.
But a few months before she came to New
Orleans, the protege of a wealthy English
lady, who had for many years spent her WIN
ters here Her history none knew, until the
events which procured me an introduction to
her, none cared to inquire 1t was evident
to all she was loved by the iadyas q daughter,
niece.
There were just the fantest discernibc ac-
cent, in the rich mellow voice and LIQUID
speech. The fair Canadian queened in roy
atty over the haughtiest bellies. Men said
that accent charmed as none other could :;
rival beauties tried to initiate it, But her
fascination lay in her winsome face and eyes
that seemed so true in the passionate regret
that fevered there at 4 sense of Woe in the
hand open rs day to charity.
AS she stood before me in her fierce anger
| thought had never seen Il being so lovely
The golden curls shaded face and brow, and
the chiseled lips hadassumed their haug ghtiest
curve. Proud as queen she looked, the in
dignant blood staining neck and brow, while
the cheeks flushed and paled alternately; bat
/ 1oo{ {1,a;,,
nor the lips the curl of scorn.
The night BEFORE the house had been rob-
bed and casket containing diamonds stolen
Myself and Mr.. / had been sent for by
Mrs. Ms, to investigate the case twas
evidently the work ofan experienced burglar,
and as he must have passed through the room
of Miss M Is to reach the apartment of the
lady from whom the jewels had been stolen,
| asked Miss Ms it she had heard nothing o
in the night to excite her alarm. At my
question, which was somewhat abruptly spo-
ken, she hesitatea and appeared unduly eX-
cited, felt surprised at this and repeated the
question:
Did you hear OF see anything during the
night?'
II did, sir"
May inquire what it WASP"
81 decline to tell"
"But why, Miss M---s?''
Il cannot inform you"
cat all events you will tell me if you saw
or heard the person who committed the rob
bery?"
81 both saw and heard HIM Sir, You will
excuse me; but that | may end an interview
extremely painful to me, | will say to YOU
that saw the person who came into the house,
saw the robbery committed but am withheld
by reasons | cannot disclose from giving YOU
his or her desbrption.r
The avoWal was made in 4 low, choking
utterancc that showed how profoundly the
young creature felt the shame of the disclo-
sure. Shocked and surprised, | scarcely
knew what said but remember appealm @
to Mrs. Ms to unite her cntreatics with
mine to induce Miss Ms to change her de
termination, or nj least give 4 reason for it..
But she did not hear me. Her eyes We're f:ls-
tened on the young girls face with wild
entreaty that thrilled me to the heart. She
seemed to understand why the girl refused TO
tell; and, gazing for IN instant, threw mp
her hand with a wall like one broken-hearted,
and sank sobbing to the floor.
"Miss Ms, this is very strange. You
do not wish me to think you n confederate,
and, unless, you tell me, what else am | to
Think"
Is was then that her expression changed
and her facelit mp with indignant excitement
81 will not tell you, Sir"
She paused for an instant, and read her
innocence in the look Whatever the mys-
terry, she was not criminal
"Think what you please, | will not tell
you.' Before | had time to reply, Mrs.
Ms rose to her feet, and, taking the young
girl by the hand, turned to me.
"YoU are mistaken sir, in your suspicious
This is family mystery-the child is not to
blame. Had | known it sooner should have
dispensed with your services; but you obligo
me now by retiring, and pursuing your in
vestigatons no further"
1t was impossible to resist the grave dignity
! Of this grand old lady. We took our leave
in q perfect whirl of amazement. | confess
to my share ofcuriosity, but all the events of
that morning bewildered me. | thought of
nothing all that day save the mysterious
burglary. | did not speak Oft to others, for
it was evident that Mrs. Ms did not wish
it canvassed, and my own powers ofrellecion
were unable to solve it,
The next day received note, inclosing a
fee for my trouble, and enjoining the strictest
silence in regard to the events which occurred
OF course | obeyed; it was nothing tome, and
tried to forget it, but | could not. No mat
ter what business engaged my attention,
found myself thinking Of that, and so a year
passed away.
| One night Il man was shot in drunken
! brawl. He was Il noted character u burglar
| was near him when he fell. He called me
and bent above the stricken man, from
whom the life-blood was oozing fast.
"Will you do me a favor?n
| If can-yes."
"You know Mrs., the English Ia
dy?n
Yes"
| ''Tell her am dead Z"
Unutterably surprised, l would have asked
him more-would have questioned him as to
how the life or death of a burglar could inter-
est her9 but he waived me Off
| did his mission carefully as could, |
impaired my intelligence. was received in
silence-a silence like death
The next day 4 single close carriage at
tended the remains to the tomb. 1t was not
long before a marble shaft rose above it, and
the single inscription
"Ile died by Violence"
tells to the observer all that is known of the
burglars grave. Long years afterward l
know he was the English lady's son, and
that her mission here was to see and redeem
him.
She failed utterly and both she and the
fair young girl are seen no more in the bril-