The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1873-10-17
FHHLITTLE LADY.

HHE3 LITTLE LADY. IDEAS
Twas stopping at the hotel Windsor,
at Rue de Rivoli, Paris. XIX.
One morning I was smoking in the
colonnade, when tall, elegantly dressed
! gentleman asked permission to light his
cigar by mine. I saw at once that he
was a Frenchman, although his ENG
Iish ''was nearly perfect. s.aa -..-.
Have you heard the news p" he in
quired.
"No. ." ~. r....... .... -...-.
e'' Is it possible! Why, all Paris is
alive with it at this moment. -
What has happened I" .' <
/ s..'.The Countess de MarYilIe, 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. Tt was terriblei The brute
who did the deed effected his enterance
| through the window of her chamber,
near which, unfortunately, was tall
tree planted by the distinguished grand
father of the countess years. ago. Little
did he imagine what terrible use
would be made of it. ss--
''This is bad news. How any man
could harm woman thus in cold blood
is more than I can imagine
=" All, monsieur, if you had ever seen
the countess you would wonder still
more. She was beautiful, beautiful as
an angel" he added, stroking his wbis-
kers with AN runmistakable air of vanity;
81 knew her welI.''5 rE
a"Indeed.' 50 .. a ..-
SO yes. There are in Paris few popd-
lar women unknown to me.
His manner now was decidedly con
ceited, and felt disgusted. My cold
ness evidently repelled him, forhe 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 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 airing hewore, the impression
of a chariot wheel with a 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 a chriot-
wheel device was purchased"
"Who is Jean Mosqueau ?'
"What, Mosqueau, our famous de-
teetive? +? Although his courage is well
known, you would not, to look at his
fair, delicate face and form, believethat
he could fight gnat - sE
"A week latter was aboard the st amer
bound from Calais to Dover.
Among the passengers I beheld one
whose face looked familiar to me, I 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
blot upon his good looks. a.a
He moved languidIy 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 suspicious nature,
which, combined with lively immagina-
tion, had often led me into singular
errors.
Now, strange impulse moved me to
advance and hold out my hand to the
man whom 1 had invoIuntariIy disliked
from the first, IN order that [ might
have chance to glance at his ring.
Somehow the idea possessed me that I
should discover a 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 not
the one containing the ring.
My brain fairly reeled the mans be-
haFiOr was a confirmation of my sus-
plelons' sEas sasas pas. .
" The other hand, if you please, - [
said, in low, stern voice. ~,
Monsieur viii please excuse me !:
my other arm is lame with the rheuma-
tism.
D
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 if perfectly
willing for me to.shake it if I chose to.
Then I had a good look at the ring.
and felt ashamed Of my suspicious. The
device was common. heart. which GER
tainly bore no resemblance TO a chariot
wheel.
After a general conversation to re
cover my self-possession, I turned away,
resolved in the future to have a better
opinion Of my fellow-creatures
The strangers good looks seemed to
attract the attention Of a good many Of
the ladies One especially, q modest
looking little thing stti1ed in black,
kept directing furtiye glancss at the