The Louisiana cotton-boll. [volume] (Vermilionville [i.e. Lafayette], Attakapas, La.) 1872-1883, 1873-10-29
THE. LITTLE LADY,.

at Rue de Rivoli, Paris.
One morning 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 Frenchman, although his "Eng,
lish'' was nearly perfect.
"Have you heard the news ?" he in
quired.
emo" .a .r..
70 "Is it possible 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 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 q 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.
"This is'bad news. How any man
could harm d woman thus in cold blood
is more than / can imagine" ,.a4ia
"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;
"I knew her WE'LL -.-. sS.* ...- .
Indeed"
80 yes, There are in Paris few popu-
lar women unknown to me. > r
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. ,n' -.. r.
= 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. ~ .-.x
Upon the throat of the countess the
murderer, in throttling her, had left a
mark from a ring Fewore, the impression
of q chariot wheel with q star, in the
centre. ...T W.. ...r... ,....-.a.i e...e o.
HThis, =" said nay. latest informant,
may lead to the discovery of the rmur-
derer. Jean Mosqueau is already visit
ing the jewellers shops to find out from
which. and by, whom ring with a,ohriot4
wheel device was purchased" ;, ar.r .
+ Who is Jean Mosqueau 2. -sg
IA "What, Mosqdeau, our famous de-
tective Although his courage is we'll
known, you would not, to look at his
fair, delicate face and form, believethat
he could fight gnat !'' =s3assH %
rAweek latterI was aboard the st ramer-
bound from Calais to Dover. .. 4.'1
Among the passengers I beheld one
whose face looked familiar to me. I was
not long in recognizing this person as
thesame 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 coneeited air was
blot upon his good looks. r5 ...~.-l
He moved languidly hither and
thither, turning his brown eyes admir-
ingly upon the pretty lady passengers,
while stroking his Rhiskers with one
white hand, upon the middle finger of
which was superb diamond ring.
=, I am rather of d suspicious nature,
which, combined with lively immagina-
ton, had often led me into singular
errors. srE ss .
Now, a strange impulse moved me to
advance and hold out my hand to the
man whom I had involuntarily disliked
from the first, in, order that I might
have chance to glance at his ring.
Somehow the idea possessed me that I
should discover chariot-wheei device
upon the glittering bauble.
The stranger did not ct first recognize
me. He soon did, however, and frankly
extended his left hand, which was not
the one containing ti1esring. g@rz 1
My brain fairly reeled ; the mans be-
'havior was d confirmation of my sus-
piciens. lsf7aT5 aazua,l sa
"The other hand, il you please, I
said, in low, stern voice. .-''A
g Monsieur will please ex6hseg me +;
my other arm is lame with the rheunnal
tisrn. !"
he beheld me glance towards the half
hidden ring, and I 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
wiling for me to shake it if I chose to-
Then had good lock at the ring,
and felt ashamed of my suspicious. The
device was common heart. which GER
tainly bore no resemblance to chariots
wheel. ,s.z..Y assfs4 s=t-.r,,, 4.
After general conversation to re-
cover my self-possession, turned away
resolved IN the future to have 4 better
opinion OF my ll5widreatares
The strangers good looks seemed TO
attract the attention of a good many of
Fthe ladies. One especialIy,a modest
looking little thing attiIed in black,
kept directing .fartive giances ~ the