Eaton weekly Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1866-1875, 1873-10-23
A LITTLE LADY.

was stopping at the hotel Windsor.
at Rue de Rivoi, Paris.
One morning I was smoking in the
colonnade, when a tall, elegantly
dressed gentleman asked permission to
light his cigar by mine. I saw at once
that he was a Frenchman, although his
English" was nearly perfect.
Have you heard the news ?" he in
quired.
"No."
&c 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 bureau broken
open and ten thousand francs missing
from it. 1t was terrible The brute
who did the deed effected his entrance
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 was
to be made of it.
"This is bad news. How any man
could harm a 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 whis-
kers with an unmistakable air of vanity
knew her we'll
"Indeed."
"Oh, yes. There are in Paris few
popular women unknown to me-"
His manner now was decidedly con-
ceited, and felt disgusted. My cold
ness evidently repelled him, for he soon
left me.
Afterward 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 the
mark from ring he wore-the impress
sion of a chariot-wheel with a star in the
center.
"This," said my latest informant,
may lead to the discovery of the MUIR
derer. Jean Mosqueau is already visit
ing the jewelers. shops to find out from
which and by ywhom ring with a chariot
wheel device was purchased.
"Who is Jean Mosqueau ?'
What, Mosqueau, our famous detec
tive? Although his courage is wei
known, you would not, to look at his
fair, delicate face and form, believe thai
he could fight gnatI'
Aweek later was aboard the steamer
bound from Calais to Dover.
Among the passengers [ beheld one
whose face looked familiar to me. / was
not long in recognizing this person al
the same had seen in front of the Ho
1z1T L e
me of the murder of the Countess.
He was certaily very handsome man
although his conceited air was bio
upon his good looks.
He movedlanguidly hither and thither
turning his brown eyes admiringly upol
the pretty lady passengers, while strok
ing his whiskers with one white hand
upon the middle finger of which was
superb diamond ring.
I am rather of a suspicious nature
which, combined with a lively imagina
ton, has often let me into singular er
rors.
Now, strange impulse moved me t
advance and hold out my hand to tn
man whom 1 had involuntarily dislike
from the first, in order that might hav
q chance to glance at his ring. Some
how the idea possessed me that shoul
discovers chariot-wheel device upon th
glittering bauble.
The stranger did not at first recogniz
me. He soon did, however, and frankl
extended his left hand, which was nc
the one containing the ring.
My brain fairly reeled the mans be
havior was confirmation of my susp
cions,
''The other hand, if you please"
said, in low, stern voice.
Monsieur will please excuse me ; m