Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-08-26
NO. 2ol.
Gales ana Sketthcs.
TRICKED AND TRACKED.
BY Mary Mark.Lem0n.
PART l.--TRlCkEp.

self, are too easily imposed upon; and al
though. by the recital. hold myself open
to the rilicule of the mind masculine.
which, by its own showing, is never duped
or deceived by imposters. yet, in order to
warn those of my own sex who are more
readily wrought upon. will narrate. as
nearly as possible, a strange adventure
which befel me during the winter of
1879.
am the wife of an English officer,
and. at the time of which | write. was
residing in Paris Late in June my hus-
band had received orders to be IN readi-
ness to sail with his regiment for c.,
the following month hut as his absence
was not likely to be of long duration.
had decided not to accompany him. and
had determined to make Paris my head
quarters during the time OF our enforced
separation.
The preparations for his departure had
to be pressed forward with all expedition.
and as is so often the case when time is
valuable. every possible difficulty seemed
to crop up to hinder the progress of our
work.
The eliminating point at last arrived,
when my husoand's body servant fell sud-
denly i'll, and sent in his res gnation the
|
We at once made inquiries on all sides for
a man competent of filling the vacant
post.
! In this instance fortune favored us.
Just rs we weae beginning to despair of
success, Frenchman, who spoke very
tolerablc English. applied for the situa-
ton; and, his references being satisiac-
tory. we hastily engaged him, heartily
glad to have brought an unpleasant affair
| to so fortunate II conclusion.
Although had many friends rcsidingin
Paris had no near relations | could ask
to remain with me during my temporary
exile, my husbands people all lived in
ireland. and with the exception of a few
scattered cousins. my only existing rela-
tive was one brother (some years younger
| than myself, to whom ! was greatly at
tached, but who for years past had been
source of constant anxiety to me by
reason of his wild and reckless manner Of
| living. Nv husband had assisted him in
numerous difficulties, but his patience had
N last become exhausted; and he had to
tell my brother plainly and dccisivcly,
that only in case of extremity, such as
| illness, which should really incapaciate
him from work. or from some such urgent
cause, would he supply him again with
pecuniary help. Several letters passed
between them at this per od thea followed
an interval of silence. which lad renamed
unbroken mp Ia The time of which | write,
| This naturally caused me much uneasiness
at times: but | could only hope he had at
length felt the necessity of putting his
| shoulder TO the wheel. and was striving to
regain the good name he had lost by his
own foolish conduct.
| Time passed away slowly. Many OF
my friends had returned to England for
the winter, and ! was more than ever
alone; my husband had now been gone
some months, and, alth ugh his letters be-
gan to breathe vague hope of his return.
| knew that some time must elapse before
we should meet again One evening G
remember it was the 22d of january |
was sitting by myself. vainly irving tn get
interested in the book | was reading,
when note was brought me by one of the
servants of the hotel, who said the bearer
was waiting my reply The Liter was
neatly folded, and addressed in woman $
handwriting to 1.-The Lady of Captain
Ralph Branscombe." and was marked.
Private" II was, however, rather u
strange looking document and breaking
the seal in spirit of curiosity, / read the
following:
"Madamc--I write this to you on behalf
of your brother. Monster Richard Will
loughby, who lies at this house dying.
Would you see him alive. you must come
at once--without hesitation Madame, the
poor gentleman is very sick-sick to death
in mind and body; for he lies in fear of
arrest. and worse than arrest, even in his
dying state He prays you ask your hus-
band To assist him. as he promised. in this
his last sore strait. No one but Captain
Branscombe may accompany you, or know
of your errand; you must bring with yo,,
ESQ in gold. if possible. English money
will do. but notes. Your escort will only
be a little child. but he knows every turn
of the way you will have TO traverse.
Come on foot-to drive might excite sus-
lpicion. Monsieur repeats. no one but
Ralph may come with you; he is too i'll
to write anything more than his name,
which inclose. .
| Here followed few directions about the
way we were 10 take, and an injunction
to bring the letter to guide myself with.
Then the name Marie Toisseau.'' In
;closed was a scrap Of paper bearing my
brothers signature, which I saw at once
was genuine.
l turned cola as finished the perusal
of this letter. but. commanding my voice
as well as | was able, | badc the servant
send the bearer to me at once. was not
left long in suspense; the door of the sa-
lon soon opened, and little figure APP
peared on the threshold. A fragile look
ing boy, about II years of age, dressed in
a dark-blue blouse. hung loosely about
him, and wearing on his head red knit
ted fisberman's cap, which was pulled
down low on his forehead-a boy whose
pale face was lighted up with large dark
eyes, their long dropping lashes sweeping
his delicate cheeks. He shut the door
softly behind him, and gave swift
searching glance around the room then
as though abashed by my presence. he
stood with downcast eyes. and his hands
loosely folded before him, awaiting my
questioning.