The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1873-11-12
THE LITTLE LADY.


"Is it possible Why, all Paris is alive
with it at this moment"
"What has happenedp"
'The Countess de Marville, the fairest |
of the fair, was found murdered in her bed |
last night, her bureau broken open and ten |
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 a tall tree planted by the distinguished
grandfather of the Countess years ago.
Little did he imagine what terrlble use
would be made of it"
tThis is bad news. How any man could |
harm n woman thus in cold blood is more
than can imagine"
uAb. monsieur, if you had ever seen the
Countess Won would wonder still more.
She was beautiful-beautitul as an angel"
he added, stroking his whiskers with an
unmistakable air of vanity 81 knew her
WE'LL"
"Indoed."
"Oh, yes. There are in Paris few pop
ular women unknown to me-"
His manner now was decidedly conceited,
and | felt disguised. My GOODNESS evil
IDENTIFY repealed him, for he soon left me.
Afterwards heard from others accounts
of the late tragedy.
Among the details of the affair was one
which peculiarly impressed mc-and which
my first informant had not spoken of-an
oversight which surprised me, as the oc-
currence he had not mentioned was of that
kind which would be most apt to strike the
fancy.
Upon the throat of the Countess the MUIR
derer, in throttling her, had left a mark
from a ring he wore-the impression of the
chariot wheel with st in the centre.
"This," said my latest informant, 'may
lead to the discovery of the murderer
Jean Mosqueau is already visiting the jew
oilers shops to find out from which and by
whom ring with a chariot wheel device
was purchased"
..Who is Jean MosqueauI"
"Who, Mosqueau, our famous detective!
Although his courage is well known, you
would not, to look at his fair, delicate face
and form. believe that he could fight Il
gnat!"
A week later | was aboard the steamer,
bound from Calais to Dover
Among the passengers / beheld one
whose face looked familiar to me. | was
not long in recognizing this person as the
same had seen in front of the Hotel Wind
sor, 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 thithor,
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 q suspicious nature, which
combined with lively imagination, had Of
ten led me into singular errors.
Now, strange impulse moved me to adj
l.. Al.
whom had involuntarily disiked from the
first, in order that l might have a chance
to glance at his ring. Somehow the idea
possessed me that should discover a char
lot wheel device upon the glittering bauble.
The stranger did not at first recognize
me. He soon did, however, and frankly
extended his left hand, which was not the
one containing the ring.
My brain fairly reeled the mans be-
havior was a confirmation of my suspc-
ions.
''rhe other hand, if you please" said,
in low, stern voice.
''Monsieur will please excuse me; my
other arm is lame with the rheumatism
He bcheld me glance towards the half
hidden ring, and ] was sure | saw him start
and turn pale, at the same time looking
much surprised He, however, opened his
right hand, as if perfectly willing for me to
shake it if | chose to.
Then | had good look at the ring, and
felt ashamed of my suspicious. The de-
vice was common heart, which certainly
bore no resemblance to chariot wheel.
After general conversation to recover
my self-posscssion, | turned away, resolved
in the future to have better opinion of
my fellow-creatures.
The strangers good looks seemed to at
tract the attention of good many of the
ladies. One especially. a understanding,
little thing, attired in black, kept directing
furtive glances at the handsome passenger.
Finally she glided SO close to him that in
turning he brushed against her.
An apology, smilingly received by the
little lady, remark about the weather on
the part of the gentleman, and the two were
soon conversing with animation Mean
while the blushing check and bright eyes
of the fair one seemed to betokcn that she
was well pleased with her companion, whose
air was more conceited than ever.
81 am afraid we shall have a Storm" she
remarked, pointing towards dark cloud
upon which the captain was gazing anxi-
Ously.
ave may, but do not be alarmed mad
anne"
With an air of nonchalance he pulled red
cigar-case from his pocket and asked his
companion if she object I'd to smoke,
Then he started, and quickly returning the
of a blue color.
GLOW many cigars do you smoke day !
inquired the lady, evidently amazed at the
sight of two cases.
The other colored, and it struck me that
his voice slightly faltered and his hanc
tremblcd, rs he made some laughing re.
ply.
Soon the storm came pushing down upor
us. We were midway in the channel, sc
that we caught the full force of the sea ant
gale, Both were terrific.
The sea swept the boat, which lay so fan
over that her machinery was soon damaged
50 that it would not work. The wn(
screamed like demon, threw her over still
farther.
Suddenly we observed the sailors endeav.
ing to loosen long boat ON the dayts al
the stern. Meanwhile, there was an omin
Gus grinding, smashing noise under III,
counter. The truth cannot be concealed
we were sinking.
The ladies screamed; the handsome pas,
scnger lost his self-possession and ran hither
and thithor.
The cool behavior of the little lady in
black contfasted strangely with the agtatet
demeanor of those around her.
There she stood calm and immoyable
her bright steel-bue eyes fixed upon tho
handsome stranger, of whom she did moi
lose sight of for moment.
keep quiet, ladies and gentlemen =
sang out the captain-''Keep quiet, ant
don't crowd around the boat So There viii
be room in it for you all and, besides
there is schooner coming to our asssis
ance," pointing to vessel bowling towards
us before the wind.
There was, however, a panic among thos,
addressed. The moment the boat was low
nrcd. into il thew all hundlnl amonn lion