River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1873-12-16
THE LITTLE LADY.

was stopping at the Hotel Winsor, ON
Rue de Rivoli, Paris.
One morning was smoking in the colon |
made, when a tall, elegantly dressed gentle
man asked permission to light his cigar by
mine. l saw at once that no wac a French.
man, although his English was nearly
perfect.
Have You heard the news he iuquir
ed.
"Nor
"Isi it possible Why, All Paris is alive
with it az this moment"
What has happened II
The Countess De Maryille, the iairest OF
the fair, was found murdered in her bed
last night, her bureau broken open. and ten
thousand francs missing from il. IL was
terrible The brute who did the deed ef
ftcted his entrance through the window of
her chamber, neat 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,
This is bad news How any man could
harm woman Thus in cold blood il more
taan ! can imagine
All. monsieur. if YOU had ever seen the
Countess YOU would wonder still more.
She was beautiful beautiful "a an angel .
he added, stroking his whiskers with an un
mistaklb.o air Of vanity knew her we'll. :"
" h.1eed,H
'Oh - There are in Paris few popular
women unknown 20 mo
His manner nov was decidedly conoeited.
and ! felt Disguised NV GOODNESS evident.
~ repealed him, for lac soon left me
Afterwards heard from others accounts
az the late tragedy.
Among the details 1T the affair was one
hat peculiarly impressed me-and which
my first informant had not spoken an
oversight which surprised me, Ms the occur
renee be had not mentioned was OF that
kind which would be most spt to strike the
fancy
Upon the throat Of the COUNTESS the muir
derer in throttlmg her, had lett a marx
rom a ring he wore-tho impression # q
chariot wheel with a star in the centre.
This said my latest informant. "may
lead 70 the discovery of the murderer. Jean
Mosqueau is already visiting the jewellers
shop 20 find ont from which and by whom
a ring with chariot wheel device was pur-
chased
Vino Is Jean Noequeau =
W bat Jean Mo-queau, our famous de-
tscuve Although his courage Is well
known, YOU would not, "a look az his fair.
delicate lace and form, believe that he could
fight a guat"
A week later | wac aboard the s,samar
bound from Calais 20 Dover.
Among the passengers bcheld one whose
face looked familiar 70 me. was not long
IN reco xnizing this person AS the same had
ssen in front Of the Hotel Winsor. and who
had first informed me OF the murder Of tho
Countess.
llo was certain very handsome man, al
though his couceltcd air wasa blot upon his
good looks
lie m, we'd auguidly hither and thithcr,
turning his brown eyes admiringly upon the
PRETTY lady passenger while stroking hia
whishcrs with one white hand, upon the
nlddlc finger OF which was a superb iia-
mond ring
ann rather of a su-pic'o us uaturo, which.
combined with q lively imagination. has
often led me into singular errors
Now. a strange impul.c moved me to ad.
vance and hold out my hand Is the man
whom had involuntarily disliked from the
first, in order that ! might have chance "a
glance az his ring. Somehow the idea pos
led 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 ex.
tended his left hand winch was not the one
containing the ring.
My BRAIN trly rceled tho mans be-
hayior was a confirmation Of my suspicious
The other hand II you please | said
IN a low, stern voice
monsieur will please excuse me my
other arm is lame with the rheumatism.
lie beheld mo glance toward the half
hidden ring, and / was sure | saw him start
and turn pale, at the same time looking
much surprised. lie. however, opened his
right hand, as Il perfectly willing for me TO
shake IL II chose TO-
Then had good look at the ring. and
felt ashamed Of my suspicions. The device
was a common heart. which certainly bore
no resemblance 10 "a chariot wheel
Aftora general conversation 90 reCovermy
self-po.sossion, turned way, resolved Ina
the future 20 have better opinion 81 my
fellow creatures
The strangers good looks seemed 10 at.
tract the attention Of good many Of the