Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1873-12-17
=" THE LITTLE LADY.

One morning was smoking in the colon
made, when a tall, elegantly dressed gentle
man asked permission to light his cigar by
mine. I saw at once that he was a French
man, although his English" was nearly
perfect
:. Have you heard the news ?? he inquir-
ed et
"No."
els it possible Why, all Paris is alive
with it at this moment"
"What has happened p
"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
atall tree planted by the distinguished grand
father of the Countess years ago. Little
did he imagine what terrible use would
be made of it.o
"This is bad news How any man could
harm woman thus in cold blood is more
than I can imagine
"Ah, monsieur, if you had ever seen the
Countess you would wonder still more.
She was beautiful beautiful as an angel, F"
he added, stroking his whiskers with an un
mistakable air of vanity; !" knew her WELL"
Indeed" -
ooh yes. There are in Paris few popular
women unknown to me" Ee.gl1
His manner now was decidedly conceited,
and / felt disguised. My GOODNESS evident
1y repealed him, for he soon left me- - =
Afterwards I heard from others accounts
of the late tragedy. r-r4
Among the details of the affair was one
that peculiarly impressed me-and which
nv first informant had not spoken-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 muir
derer, in throttling her, had left a mark
from ring he wore-the impression 81 6
chariot wheel with star in the centre.
"This," said my latest Informant, ''may
lead to the discovery of the murderer. Jear
Mosqueau is already visiting the jewelers.
shop to find out from which and by whom
ring with chariot wheel device was pur
chased. n
"What, Jean Mosqueau, our famous de
tective? Although his courage is wei
known, you would not, to look at his fair
fight gnat."
IA
bound from Calais to Dover. @
Among the passengers beheld one whose
face looked familiar to me. was not Ions
in recognizing this person as the same haG
seen in front of the Hotel Winsor, and who
had first informed me of the murder of the
Countess.
He was certain very handsome man, al
though his conceited air wasa blot upon hi
good looks.
He moved languidly hither and thither
turning his brown eyes admirlngly upon thu
pretty lady passengers, while stroklng hi
whiskers with one white hand, upon thu
middle finger of which was superb dla
mond ring.
[ am rather of suspicious nature, which
combined with lively Imagination, has
often led me into singular errors.
Now, strange impulse moved me to adj
vance and hold out my hand to the man
whom had involuntarily disliked from the
first, in order that might have chance te
glance at his ring Somehow the idea pos
sed me that I should discover a chariot
wheel device upon the glittering Baubl
The stranger did not at first recognize
me. He soon did, however, and frankly ex
tended his left hand, which was not the one
containing the ring.
Nv brain fairly reeled the mans be
havior was a confirmation OF my suspicious
THE other hand, if you please" sale
in low, stern voice.
Monsieur will please excuse me my
other arm is lame with the rheumatism
He beheld me glance toward the hal
hidden ring, and I was sure l 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 t.
shake it if [ chose to.
Then [ had good look at the ring, ane
felt ashamed of my suspicious. The device
was a common heart, which certainly bore
no resemblance..to chariot wheel.
After general conversation to recover my
self-possession, turned way, resolved il
the future to have a 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 modest looking little
thing attired in black, kept throwing Iurt1vt
chances at the handsome passenger. Finally
she glided so close to him that III turnlns
he brushed against her.
An apology, smilingly received by the
little lady, remark about the weather Oh
the part of the gentleman, and the two
were soon conversing with animation
Meanwhile the blushing cheek and bright