Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1873-10-25
THEILITTLE LADY.

Twas stopping at the hotel Windsor,
at Rue de Rivoli, Paris.
One morning ! was smoking in the
colonnade, when a 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.
"No,"
"Is it possible Why, all Paris is
alive with it at this moment"
"What has happened Il"
1.-The Countess de Marville, the fair
est of the fair, was found murdered in
her bed last night, her beureau broken
open and ten thousand francs missing
from it. 1t was terrible The brute
who did the deed effected his enterance
through the window of her chamber,
near which, unfortunately, was a tall
tree planted by the distinguished grand
father Of the countess years ago. Little
did he imagine what a terrible use
would be made of it."
"This is bad news. How any man
could harm a woman thus in cold blood
is more than l can imagine"
"Ah, monsieur, if you had ever seen
tho 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;
81 knew her well"
Indeed.
go yes. There are in Paris few popd-
lar women unknown to me.
His manner now was decidedly con-
ceited, and I felt disgusted. Ny cold
ness evidently repelled him, forhe soon
left me.
Afterwards | heard from others ic-
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 surprised me, as
the occurrence 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 a
mark from ring hewore, the impression
of a chariot wheel with star in 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 ring with chriot-
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 !"
Aweek latter / wasaboard the st amer
bound from Calais to Dover.
Among the passengers l beheld one
whose face looked familiar to me. l was
not long in recognizing this person as
the same / had seen in 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 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 a superb diamond ring.
am rather of a suspicious nature,
which, combined with lively immagina'
ton, had often led mo into singular
errors.
Now, a strange impulse moved me tc
advance and hold out my hand to the
man whom I had involuntarily disliked
from the first, in order that ! might
have chance to glance at his ring
Somehow the idea possessed me that
should discover chariot-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 moi
the one containing the ring.
My brain fairly reeled the mans be
havior was confirmation Of my sus
picions.
"The other hand, if you please,
said, in low, stern voice.
monsieur will please excuse me
nv other arm is lame with the rheuma
tism."
He beheld me glance towards the hal
hidden ring, and l was sure / saw hin
start and turn pale, at the same timC
looking much surprised. He, however
opened his right hand, as if perfectly
willing for me to shake it if I chose to
Then had a good look at the ring
and felt ashamed Of my suspicious. TIL,
device was . common heart, which Ger
tainly bore no resemblance TO a chariot
wheel.
After a general conversation to re
cover my self-possession, ! turned away
resolved in the future TO have bette
opinion Of my iellow-creatureS
The strangers good looks seemed Il
attract the attention OF a good many o
the ladies. One especially, modest
! looking little thing attiied in black
kept directing furtive glances al th