Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1873-10-09
formed Inc ofIhe murder of the Count

'"' ''"o" ihc oi the murder OF the Count
ess
lie was certainly very handsome
man, although his couceiied air wms n
blot upon his good looks.
lie moved languidly hither and tbitb.
ef. turning his brown eyes admiringly
upon the pretty lady passengers, while
strosing his whiskers with one white
nand' upon the middle finger of which
was u superb diamond ring.
am rather OF suspicious nature,
winch, combined with lively imayina.
tioii, had often led me into singular
errors.
Now, a-strange impulse moved me to
advance and hold out my hand to the
man whom had involuntarilv disliked
IRON the first, in order that might have
chance to glance at his ring. Some
now the idea possessed me that should
discover chariot wheel device upon
the glittering baublc
Ihe stranger did not at first recoqpiz q
me. lie soon did, however, and frank
~ extended his left hand, which was
no. the one containing the ring.
MY brain fairly reeled; the mans be-
"avior was u confirmation of INV sus-
picions. '
The other hand, if you please, said
III low, stern voice.
| Monsieur will you please excuse mo
my other arm is lame with the rhcuma.
tism.'
lie Deheid me glance towards the half
hiddeh ring, and | was sure | saw hin.
start and turn pale, at the same tine
looking much surprised. lie, however.
opened ms right hand, as if perfectly
willing Tor me to shake it If | choose to-
ihen had good look at the ring,
ana icit ashamed of my suspicious. The
device was a common heart, which Ger
tainly bore no resemblance TO a chariot
wheel.
Alter general conversation to recov-
er my -etf-possession, | turned away. re-.
solved in the future to have bette,
opinion OF my fellow-creatures.
The strangers good looks seemed IN
attract the attention of good many OF
the Ladies. One especially, modest
looking little thing attired in black Kent
directing furtivc glances at the hand
some passenger Finally she olid.d
so close to him that in turning he brush
ed against her
Ah apology, smilingly received by the
niue lady, a remark about the weather
on the part of the gentleman. and the
Two were soon couvcrsine with anima-
ton. Meanwhile the blushine cheek
ana bright eyes of the fair one seemed
To betokcn that she was well pleased
with her companion, whose air was
more conceited thau ever.
Il am afraid we shall have a storm She
remarked pointing towards dark clond
upon which the captain Of the boat was
gazing anxiously.
We may. but do not be alarmed
madame
WIN an air OF nonchalancc he pulled
red cigar-case from his booker oud
asked hi, companion il she objected to -
smoke. Then he started, aud ouickI,
returning the red one 10 his pocket
day. inquired the lady, evidently am
used at the sight of the two cases,
The other colorcd, and it struck me
that his voice slightly ialtercd and M,
hand trembleu as he made some lonoh.
ing reply.
Soon the storm came pounciuy down
upon us. We were midway in thr
Channel. So that we caught the full force
OF the sea aud gale. Both were terrific
lhe sea swept the boat. which lay 20
''' W. machinery was soon F
damaged so that 1t would not work.
me WIND screaming like demon. threw
her over still father.
suddenly we observed the sailors en-
deavorlng TO loosen IA Iong-boat on the .
ua'hs at the stern. Meanw hile, there /
was an omihons grinding, smashing
noi1c under the counter The truth .
couIu not be concealed; we were sink
ing.
Inc ladies screamed; the handsome .
paSsenSer iosl his seli-possession, and
ran ~, hither ana thlther.
ne cooi behavior OF the little lady in .
piacN coiitrasted strangely with the
as,.h'eu ueiheahor OF those around her. .
lnere 'he stood calm and immovablc,
ncr oriSht sieei-bIue eyes fixed upon tie
haii,sohie stranger, ol whom She did
not loose sishto Tor amoment.
Keep quiet, ladies and gentleman"
sang out the tain-'keep quiet. and
don't crowd around the boat so, There
will bc room in it Tor you all; and.
besides, theIe is .hooner coming to
our assistance pointing to vessel b. ~
ing towards us before the wind
There was, however, Il panic among
those addressed. The moment tie boat
was lowered, into it they all bundled.
among them the handsome passenger.
A huge sea coming along, roaring
like thunder, parted the tackles, tear
ing ihe boat from the steamer before the
lady in black or could enter it. The
handsome passenger, loosing his bal
ance. fell ever the gunwale, and being
unable to swim wildly threw up his
arms.
| must acknowledge that | was so en-
crossed with the perilous situation of
my fair companion and myself-now
the only two left aboard the steamer
that paid little attention to the drown
ing man.
The steamer was, in fact, going down
fast-was already nearly engulfed in the
stormy waves, her heated and half-sub-
merged boilers Kissing as the steam
came gushing out like the spout of a
whale.
was advancing to throw an arm
around the little lady, fearing to see her