Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1873-11-07
THE LITTLE LADY.

colonnade, when tall, elegantly dressed
gentleman asked permission to light his
cigar by mine. | saw at once that he was
Frenchman, although his English
was nearly perfect.
"Have you heard the news;" he inquir-
ed.
"No."
as it possiblel Why, all Paris is alive
with it at this moment"
'What has happenedY"
"The Countess de Marville, the fairest
of the fair, was found murdered in her
bed last night her bureau broken open
and 10, 900 francs missing from it. 1t was
terrible! The brute who did the deed
effected his entrance through the window
OF her chamber, near which, unfortunate
ly, was tall tree planted by the distin-
guished grandfather of the Countess years
ago. Little did he imagine what a terri
BILE use would be made of it,"
"This is bad news. How any man
could harm woman thus in cold blood
is more than can imagine"
"Ah, Monsieur, if you had ever seen the
Countess you would wonder still mere.
She was beautful-beautifu as an angel"
be added, striking his whiskers with an
unmistakable air of vanity; II knew her
we'll"
"Indeed"
ooh, yes There are in Paris few popu.
lar women unknown to me-"
His manner now was decidedly con-
ceited, and felt disguised. My coldness
evidently repelled him, for he soon left
me-
Afterward l heard other accounts of the
late tragedy.
Among the details of the affair was one
which peculiarly impressed me-and
Il. =
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 he wore-the impression
of a chariot. wheel with star in the Gen.
ter.
"This," said my latest informant, "may
lead to the discovery of the murderer.
Jean Mosqueau is already visiting the
jewelers. shops to find out from which
and by whom ring with chariot-wheel
device was purchased"
"Who is Jean MosQueau?
What, Mosqueau, our famous detec-
tive? Although his courage is well
known, you would not, to look at his
fair delicate face and form, believe that
he could fight gnatp'
A week later | was aboard the steamer,
bound from Calais to Dover.
Among the passengers l beheld one
whose face looked familiar to me. | 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.
He moved languidly hither and thither
turning his brown eyes admiringly upon
the pretty lady passengers, while stroking
his whiskers with one white hand, upon
the middle finger of which was a superb
diamond ring.
l am rather of a suspicious nature
which, combined with lively imagina
tion, had often led me into singular
errors.
Now, a strange impulse moved me tC
advance and hold out my hand to the mar
whom had involuntarily disliked from
the first, in order that might have &
chance to glance at his ring. Somehow
the idea possessed me that | should dis
cover chariot-wheel device upon the
glittering bauble.
me. He soon did, however, and frankly
one containing the ring
My brain fairly replied; the mans be
havior was confirmation of my suspi
cions.
'The other hand, if you please" said
in low, stern voice.
"Monsieur, will you please excuse me
my other hand is lame with the rheuma
tsm."
He beheld me glance toward the half
hidden ring, and | was sure / 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 / chose to.
Then had good look at the ring, anC
felt ashamed of my suspicious. The de
vice was common heart, which Ger
tainly bore no resemblance to a chariot
wheel
After general conversation to recover
my selfpossession, turned away, resolv
ing in the future to have better opinion
of my fellow-creatur es.
The strangers good looks seemed to at
tract the attention of good many of thC
ladies' One especially, modest-looking
little thing, attired in black, kept direct
ing furtive glances at the handsome pas
senger. Finally she glided so close tC
him that in turning he brushed agains
her.
An apology, smilngly received by the
little lady, a remark about the weather OF
the part of the gentleman, and the two
were soon cOnversing with animation
Meanwhile the blushing cheek and brigh
eyes of the fair one seemed to betokeI
that she was well pleased with her com
panion, whose air was more conceiteC
than ever
II am afraid we shall have a storm,
she remarked, pointing toward darl
cloud upon which the captain of the boa
was gazing anXiously.
eve may, but do not be alarmed, mad
ame."
With an air of nonchalance he pulled
red cigarcas from his pocket and asked
his companion if she objected to a smoke
Then he started, and quickly returning
the red one to his pocket pulled forth an
other of a blue color.
"How many cigars do you smoke
days" inquired the lady, evidently anus
ed at the sight of two cases.
The other cOlOred, and it struck m
that his voice slightly faltered and hi
hand trembled, as he made some laugh
ing reply.
Soon the storm came pouncing dow
upon us. We were midway in the chan
mel, so that we caught the full force of tn
sea and gale. Both were terrific.
The sea swept the boat, which lay so ia
over that her machinery was soon dam
aged so that it would not work. Tn
wind, screaming like demon, threw he
over still further.
Suddenly we observed the sailors en-
deavoring to loosen long. boat on tn
davits at the stern. Meanwhile, there wa
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