Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1873-10-18
THE LITTLE LADY.

L was stopping at the Hotel Windsor,
ut Rue de Rivoh, Paris.
One morning was smoking in the
colonnade when tall, elegantly dressed
gentleman asked permission to light his
cigar by mine. | saw at once that he
was Frenchman, although his ''Eng-
lish" was nearly perfect. ..
"Have you heard the news ?" he in
quired.
emo"
els it possible? 4? Why, all Paris is
alive with it at this moment"
" What has happened
"The Countess de Marville, the fair
est 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 effected his entrance
through the window of her chamber,
near which, unfortunately, was tall
tree plapted by the distinguished grand
rather of the Countess years ago. Lit
tie did he imagine what terrible use
Would be made OF 1t.
"This is bad news. How any man
could harm woman thus in cold blood
is more than l can imagine"
"Ah, monsieur, if you had ever seen
the Countess you would wonder still
more. She was beautiful beautiful as
an angel, he added, stroking his whis-
kers with an unmistakable air of vanity
SCI knew her WE'LL"
"Indeed."
"Oh, yes. There are in Paris few
popular women unknown to me-"
His manner was now decidedly CON
'ceited, and felt disguised. NY cold
ness evidently repelled him, for he soon
left me.
Afterwards I heard from others ac-
counts of the late tragedy.
Among the details of the affair was
one which peculiarly impressed me-
and which my first informant had not
spoken of-an oversight which sur
prlsed me, as the occurrence he had
not mentioned was of that kind which
would be most likely to strike the
fancy.
Upon the throat of the Countess the
murderer, in throttling her, had left a
mark from ring he wore-the impress
sion of chariot wheel with star il,
the centre.
"This," said my latest informant,
may lead to the discovery of the MUIR
derer. Jean Mosqueau is already visit
ing the jewellers shops to find out from
which and by whom a ring with a
chariot-wheel device was purchased"
"Who is Jean Mosqueau ?"
"What, Mosqueau, our famous de.
tective? Although his courage is well
known, you would not, to look at his
fair, delicate face and form, believe that
he could fight gnat p
week later was aboard the steam
er, 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 Windsor, and who had first in
formed me of the murder of the Count
ess.
He was certainly very handsome
man, although his conceited air was q
blot upon his good looks.
He moved languidly hither and
thither, turning his brown eyes admir-
ingly upon the pretty lady passengers,
while stroking his whiskers, with one
white hand, upon the middle finger OF
which was superb diamond ring.
L am rather of q suspicious nature,
which, combined with a lively imagina-
tion, had often led me into singular
errors.
Now, strange impulse moved me to
advance and hold out my hand to the
man whom [ had involuntarily disliked
from the first, in order that I might
have chance to glance at his ring.
Somehow, the idea possessed me that /
should discover q chariot-wheel device
upon the glittering bauble.
The stranger did not at first recog-
nize 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
behavior was confirmation Of my sus-
picions. ..a.e .;....
"The other hand, if you please" /
said, in low stern veice.
Monsieur will please excuse me
my other arm in lame with the rheum.
atism.
He beheld me glance towards the
half=hidden ring, and / was sure I saw
him start and turn pale, at the same
time looking much surprised. He
however, opened his right hand, as il
perfectly willing for me to shake it if ]
chose to.
Then / had good look at the ring
and felt ashamed of my suspicious
The device was common heart, which
certainly bore no resemblance to Q
chariot wheel.
After a general conversation to re.
cover my self-possession, L turned away
resolved in the future to have better
opinion of my fellow creatures.
The strangers good looks seemed tC
attract the attention of a good many o.
the ladies. One especially, a modest
looking little thing attired in black
kept directing furtive glances at thu
handsome passenger. Finally sh,
glided so close to him that in turning
he brushed against her.
An apology, smilingly received by th'
little lady, remark about the weathe
on the part of the gentleman, and tn,
two were soon conversing with anima
ton. Meanwhile the blushing cheel
and bright eyes Of the fair one seemed
to betoken that she was well pleased
with her companion, whose air wa
more conceited than ever.
'' am afraid we shall have storm,