The Republican journal., 1872-06-13


The Magistrate inclined his head. an
the lady. after making a great effort t
subdue etheinvonntary tremol in her voice
continued her story: During his absenc
she had been visited by person. youn
man, VINO she became acquainted with a
the Austrian Embassy Her husband
whose passions wollld sometimes borde
ON = dehflous frenzy, had noted the at
tentlons Of this Hungarian officer, who
although she did not encourage him
would continue his visits during her hus
bands absence, sometimes even late. yer,
l;tte III the evening. That very evenin.
NJ. dr klrlS (such was the officers name.
would insist on seeing her home, mlcE
against her will, for her husbands return
was to be expected every hour; and then
occurred that fatal event. This word lie
loose the flood of sorrow so long pent up
and the Countess, losing all control owe
her feelings, buried her face in her hand
and sobbed forth passionatelv:
''He was my lover, my love; yes fol
six months had been his mistress.
This confession placed the Magistrate
more ut his ease. He knew now wha
vas wanted = saw exactly what had
happened-at least he thought so unex
pected arrival of the husband, surprise OF
| the lovers, duel already fought or to b.
fought, and the lady flying to him for his
assistance in order to thwart her husbands
revenge-or at least to prevent the scan
,lal from becoming known. But he was
wrong. Her husband had not even come
back. asserted the Countess.
Then what is this dreadful misfor-
tune ~ asked the Pretect IRONICALLY. .'No
one wounded-no one killed ?'
"Neither killed nor wounded, do Won
say, Monsieur lie Project? Wounded there
is none as yet; but dead there are two
first, myself (tor | Shall never survive
this,) aud then he, who is now in my car
riagc"
Sin your carriage?
"Yes-M. de karls he died two hours
ago in my house, and his corpse is now
below in my carriage"
eat Your house p assassinated pa
corpse ?n
"No. no; not murdered. thank God :"
He died from a sudden rush of blood to
the head while he was with ne-with me (.
Oh it is horrible, terrible, that | should
not think OF my reputation-mv honor,
my worldly name, of that world that will
soon know ALL of my husbands honor
when | would be alone with my sorrow,
my tears. and the dear one who is dead
But no, that cannot be; and to YOU have
come for help. You can-you must assist
me-"
GLOW, Madame. how? Nv resources
are not infinite. A case so unparalleled
what can do?n
''1ou must!" cried the Countess, rising
and speaking with the authority partly OF
powerful and influential woman, partly
OF one who implores, ''till you have de
vlsed some means do not leave this place.
Surely you-of the Secret Police
cit is impossible, Madame, impossible !"
sin three hours my husband will be
here"
The Pretect rose and rang the bell
"1here is hut one man IN Paris, nav. |
might say in the world who can save Won,
and have called him. WIN you conf lie
in him? tell him III ?"
''I on answer for his secrecy ?''
eyes"
"Thrn let him come"
As soon rs | entered the room the Project
addressed me brusquelv "Vi,locq. a great
personagesdied very suddenly, few hours
ago, at MAd:mc's house"
every good, NJ lie Prefect; we will saw
he died Il sudden death"
"Madamr'S husband is away. bat re-
turns tonight"
AT what hour ?"
"Any moment
turned"
"Just as Well The body Of the young
man is below in Madame's carriage" ;"
continued the Prefect.
waited, listening
"Nidoco"
"M. lie Prcfect."
lon must ret rid of this man for us y
(which one? Husband or lover?'
''The dead man, said the Pretect curtlv
| understood we'll enough, but the Joke
was too much for me. "Then" | said
''that will he Il more difficult affair It's
easy enough to get rid Of living man {;
but Il dead one-ah But let me see; YOU
wish me to spirit away, before daylight,
the corpse in Nine. la Comtesse de b. IS
carriage ?"
Tie lady started "You know me ?"
81 have that honor, Madame Now,
there is one way Of getting rid Of this
corpse
"And that is ?n
''What do you say, Madame, to the
body being found in the streets this morn
ing, about three or four O'Clock, pierced
with several dagger wounds"
"Assassinated ?"
"Yes, Madame. Three stabs in the
stomach and one in the heart it shall be
well done. The body is found nothing
on it, not even watch or rings murdered
by thieves Great excitement for twenty
four hours; inquest which will end in
nothing, and in u week the whole affair
forgotten
"Murdered y
''But since he is dead, Madame where
is the crime OF wrong to stab him %
Enough % cried the Countess, her face
buried in her hands; ''enough Monsieur,
enough. Horrible, horrible-it can never
be-ncvcr !"
I could not understand her; but some
people are delicate you see. What can
one do?
"Then what do you say, Madame, to
the body disappearing suddenly from the
face of the earth, so that even the most
rigorous search should fail to recover it
1t would never be found.N
"Never?'
"Never.n
"Then there would be no burial ?'
" Burial, Madame, burial? All! if
Madame desires the luxury of burial
my plan is useless.'
"But how would you hide :"
''Fhat is nv business"
son mo- must know"
"Beicve me, Madame, you had better
not. Does the surgeon show his saw to
the patient whose limb he is going to am
putate? Nay, Madame, do not seek to
control my actions, let me chose my own
eXpedients; what can it matter so long as
you are set free? And therefore, Madame,
tell me if my second offer is accepted
"NO"
On receiving this sharp and decided an
swer, took my hat and moved toward
the door; but on seeing this, the Countess
gave quick, sudden cry of pain that
made me turn ronnd involuntarily, and in
doing so | caught the Projects eye He
signed for me to remain.
''Oh! Monsieur" exclaimed the Coun-
tess, ''imagine some other means, CON
jure you. My life and honor are in youl
hands -