The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1875-06-17


ago by the grandfather OF the countess
Little did he imagine the terrible use
that would be made of it,"
"Ths is bad news. How any man
hld murder woman thus is more than
can imagine"
"Ah, monsieur, if you had ever seen
the countess yo would onderstill more
She was eautiful-beautiful as an angel" )"
he added, stroKing his whiskers with an
unmistakable vanity, 81 knew her WELL"
"Indeed ~
"Oh yes. There are in Paris few pop
uar women unknown to me-"
His manner was now decidedly CON
ceited, and felt disgusted with him. My
coldness evidently repeled him, for he
soon left me. Afterward | heard from
otheraCcounts of the late tragedy. Among
the details of the affair was one that par
ticularly impressed me, and which my
first informant had not spoken of-an
oversight that surprised me, as the oc-
currence he had not mentioned was OF
kind which would be most apt to strike
the fancy.
Upon the throat of the countess the
murderer, in throtting her, had left a
mark fir m ring he wore-the impress
sion of a chariot wheel with star inthe
center.
"Ths =" said my last informant, "may
lead to the discovery of the murderer
Jean Mosqueau is already visiting the
jeweler shops to find out from which and
by whom a ring with the chariot wheel
device was purchased"
"Who is Jean Mosqneau "
"What, monsieurl Have you not
heard of Mosqueau, our famous detec-
tive? Although his courage is very well
known you would not, to look at his fair,
quiet face and delicate form, believe he
could fight a knat."
A week later ] was on board the
steamer, bound from Calais to Dover.
Among the passengers | beheld one
whose face had familiar look. | was
not long in recognizing this person as
the one had cen in front of Il Hotel
Windsor nj who had first informed me
of the mi rler of the countess. He was
certainly very handsome man, although
his conceted air was a blot on his good
looks.
He moved languidly hither and thither,
now and then turning his brown eyes
admiringly upon the pretty lady passen-
gers, while stroking his whiskers with
one hand, upon the middle finger of
which was superb diamond ring.
| am of rather suspicious nature,
which, combined with lively magma
ton, had often led me into singular er-
rors, Now strange impulse moved me
TO advance and hold out my hand to
man whom had involuntarily disliked
from the first, in order that | might have
chance to glance at his ring. Somehow
theidearhad possessed me that | should
discover chariot wheel device upon the
1iittering bauble. eaf -% ~ 80 W.
The stranger did not at first recognize
me. He soon did, however, and frankly
extended the left hand, which was not
the one containing the ring
My brain fairly reeled; the mans be-
havior was conviction of my suspicious.
"The other hand, ifyou please" said,
in low, stern voice.
Monsieur will excuse me, if he pleases.
Ny other arm is lame with rheumatism"
He beheld me glance at the half hid
den ring, ard was sure saw him start
and turn pale, while at the same time
looking much surprised. He, however,
opened his right hand, as if perfectly
willing for me to shake it if chose.
Then had good look at the ring, and
felt ashamed of my suspicion. The de-
vice on it was common heart, which
certainly bore no resemblance to chariot
wheel.
After little general conversation, to
recover nv selfpossession turned away,
resolving in future to have better opin-
ion ofmy fellow creatures.
The strangers good looks seemed to
attract the attention of the ladies. One
especially modest looking little thing,
attired in black, kept directing furtiye
glances at the pretty stranger. Finally
she glided so closeto him that in turning
he brushed against her. An apology,
smilingly received by the little lady,
remark about the weather on the part of
the gentleman, and the two were soon
conversing with animation. Meanwhile
the burning cheek and bright eyes of the
fair one seemed to betoken that she was
we'll pleased with her companion, whose
air was now more conceited than ever.
II am afraid that we will have Storm"
she remarked, pointing toward a dark
cloud, upon which the captain of the boat
was anxiously gazing.
With an air of nonchaance he pulled |
red cigar case from his pocket asked |
his companion if she objected to smoke, |
and being answered negatively, opened
the case. Then he started, and, quickly !
returning this to his pocket, pulled forth |
another of blue color.
"How many cigars do you smoke in
dayP" inquired the young lady, evident
ly amused at the sight of two cases.
The other colored, and it struck me
that his voice faltered slightly, and his
hand trembled, as he made some laugh
ing retort.
Soon the storm came pouring down |
upon us. We were midway in the chan |
mel, 80 that we caught the full force of
the sea gale. Both were terrific. The
sea swept the boat, which lay so far over
that the mach merry was soon damaged so |
that it could not WORK. The wind, scream
ing like demon, threw her over still |
further.
Suddenly we observed the sailors en-
deavoring 10 loosen the long boat on the |
davits astern. Meanwhile there was an
ominous grinding, smashing noise under
the counter The truth could not long
be concealed-we were sinking.
The ladies screamed the passenger
lost his self-possession, and ran wildly
about, Meanwhile the cool behavior of
the little lady in black contrasted very
strangely with the agitated demeanor Of
those around her There she stood calm
and immovable, her bright, steel-blue
eyes fixed on the handsome stranger, of
whom she did not lose sight Of for mo-
ment lNrif. iaII .
Keep quiet ladies and gentlemen
.1euuliJ utt 80 nfpr is 1-I