Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1873-11-07
SELECTED STORY
THE LITTLE LADY.

was stopping at the Hotel Windsor, al
Rue de Rivoli, Paris.
One morning was smoking in the colon
made, when tall, elegantly dressed gentle
man asked permission to light his cigar b,
NINE saw at once that he was French
man, although his English was nearly per
feet.
"Have you heard the news 2" he in
CURED.
ono"
'.Is it possible Why, all Paris is alive
with it at this moment"
"Wbat has happened !"
"The Countess de Marville, the faires
of the fair, was found murdered in her bed
last night, her bureau broken open and ter
thousand francs missing from it. 1t was
terrible The brute who did the deed eff
fected his entrance through the window Of
her chamber, near which unfortunately
was tall tree planted by the distinguished
grandfather of the countess years ago. Lit
tic did he imagine what terrible use would
be made Of it,"
This is bad news. How any man could
harm woman thus in cold blood is more
than can imagine"
sAh, monsieur. if you had ever seen the
Countess you would wonder still more
She was beautiful beautiful as an angel"
he added, stroking his whiskers with an
unmistakable air Of vanity Il knew her
WELL" @ tEf
ssIndeed."
s'Oh, yes. There are in Paris few popu-
lar women unknown to me-
His manner now was decidedly conceited,
and felt Disguised. Ny GOODNESS evident
ly repealed him, for he soon left me.
Afterwards I heard from others accounts
of the late tragedy.
Among the details of the affair was one
which peculiarly impressed me--and which
my first intormant had not spoken of-an
oversight which surprised me, as the occur
renee he had not mentioned was Of that
kind which would be most apt to strike the
fancy.
Upon the throat of the Countess, the
murderer, in throttling her, had left mark
from ring he wore-the impression of a
chariot wheel with a star in the centre.
This" said my latest informant, "may
lead to the discovery Of the murderer
Jean Mosqueau is already visiting the jew
ellers' shops to find out from which and by
whom a ring with chariot.wheel device
was purchased.
"Who is Jean Mosqueau p
"What, Mosqueau, our famous detec-
tive ? Although his courage is well known.
YOU would not to look at his fair. delicate
face and form, believe that he could fight a
gnat!"
A week later I was aboard the steamer
bound from Calais to Dover.
Among the passengers behold one whose
face looked familiar to me. | was not long
in recognizing this person as the same had
seen 10 front of the Hotel Windsor, and
who had first informed me OF the murder of
the Countess.
He was certainly very handsome man,
although his conceited air was a blot upon
his good looks
He moved languidly hither and thither
turning his brown eyes admiringly upon the
pretty lady passengers, while stroking his
whiskers with one white hand, upon the
middle finger Of which was superb dia-
mond ring.
[ am rather Of suspicious nature, which
combined with lively imagination, had Of
ten led me into singular errors.
Now, strange impulse moved me to ad
vance and hold out my hand to the mar
whom T had involuntarily disliked from the
first, in order that | might have chance
to glance at his ring Somehow the idea
possessed me that I should find charlo
wheel device upon the glittering bauble.
The stranger did not at first recognize
me. He soon did, however. and frankl..
extended his left hand, which was not th'
one containing the ring.
Ny brain fairly reeled the mans be
haviour was a confirmation Of my suspl
cions
'The other hand, if you please" l said
In low stern voice.
Monsieur will please excuse me j; m.
other arm is lame with the rheumatism
As he beheld me glance towards the hal
hidden ring. I was sure saw him star
and turn pale, at the same time LOOKING
much surprised. He, however opened hl
right hand, as if perfectly willing for me
shake it If chose to.
Then had good look at the ring, an
felt ashamed Of my suspicious. The de
vice was common heart, which certalnl
bore no resemblance to chariot wheel.
After general conversation, to recove
my self-possession, turned away, resolve
in the future to have better opinion OF m
fellow creatures.
The strangers good looks seemed to a
tract the attention of good many OF tn
ladies' One especially, modest.lookln
little thing attired in black, kept direotln
furtive glances at the handsome passenger
Finally she glided SO close to him that
turning be brushed against her: !,
An apology, smilingly received BY til
little lady, a remark about the weather
the part Of the gentleman. and the two wei
soon conversing with animstlon Mea1
while, the blushing cheek and bright ey'
Of the fair one seemed to betoken that ST
was we'll pleased with her companlol
whose air was more conceited than ever.
8 II am afraid we shall have storm
she remarked, pointing towards dark clo'
upon which the captain Of the boat was ga