Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1880-06-04
TRIChED AND TRACKED.
An Adventure in Paris.
by MARY MARK LEMON.

1t is now some years ago since an incident
occurred in my life, which may possibly
prove interesting to those who, like myself,
are too easily imposed upon; and although,
by the recital, hold myself open to the ridi-
cule of the mind masculine, which, by its
own showing, is never duped or deceived by
impostors, yet, in order to warn those Of my
own sex who are more readily wrought upon,
l will narrate, MS nearly as | can, a strange
adventure which befel me during the winter
of 1863.
am the wife of an English officer, and, at
the time of which l write, was residing in
Paris. Late in June, my husband had re-
ceived orders to be in readiness to sail with
his regiment for G. the following month ;
but, as his absence was not likely to be of
long duration, had decided not to accom-
pany him, and had determined to make Par
is my headquarters during the time of our en-
forced 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 husbands body servant fell suddenly i'll,
and sent in his resignation the very week
they were expecting to start. We at once
pctent of filling the vacant post. In this in
stance fortune favored us just as We were
beginning TO despair Of success II Fronch-
man, who spoke very tOlcrablc English, ap-
piled for the situation and his references
being satisfactory, We hastily engaged him,
heartily glad to have brought an unpleasant
affair to so fortunate a conclusion.
Although / had many friends residing in
Paris, had no near relations l could ask to
remain with me during my temporary exile (;
my husbands people all lived III Ireland,
and with tho exception of "a few scattered
cousins, my only existing relative was one
brother (some years younger than myself.
to whom 1 was greatly attached, but who for
years past had been IL source of constant anN-
icty to me by reason of his wild and reckless
manner of living. My husband had assisted
him in numerous difficulties, but his patience
had at last become exhausted; and he had
to tell my brother plainly and decisively, that
only in case of extremity, such as an illness,
which should really incapacitate him from
work. or from some such urgent cause, would
he supply him again with pecuniary help.
Several letters passed between them at this
period then followed au interval of silence,
which had remained unbroken up to the time
of which | write. This naturally caused me
much uneasness 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 lis own foolish conduct
Time passed slowly away. Many Of my
friends had returned to England for the win
ter, aud was more than ever alone my
husband had now been gone some months,
and, although his letters began to breathe a
vague hope of his return, | knew that some
time must yet elapse before we should meet
again. One evening Il remember it was the
22d of January ! was sitting 10y myself,
vaiuly trying to get interested in the book
was reading, when Il note was brought me by
one of the servants of the hotel, who said the
bearer was waiting my reply. The letter
was neatly folded, and addressed in a wo.
mans handwriting to The Lady of Captain
Ralph BrHnscOmbe,' and was marked "Pri-
vate" 1t was, however, rather strange
looking document and breaking the seal in
a spirit of curiosity read the following
Madame write this to you on behalf
OF your brother, Monsieur Richard Willough.
by, who lies at this house, dying. Would
you see him alive, you must come at once
without hesitation Madame, the poor gen
tlrman is very sick-sick to death i'll mind
and body for he lies in fear of arrest, and
worse than arrest, even in his dying state
He prays you ask your husband to assist him
as he promised in this his last sore strait
No one but Captain Branscombe may accom-
pany you, or know Of your errand you mus
bring with you fifty pounds in gold, If posi-
BILE. English money will do, but not notes
Your escort will only be a little child, but ht
knows every turn of the way you will have
to traverse. Come on foot-to drive might
excite suspicion. Monsieur repeats. no ont
| but Ralph may come with you; he is toe
i'll to write anything more than his name
| which inclose."
Here followed a few directions about tie,
way We were to take, and an injunction to bring
the letter to guide myself with. Then the
name Marie Toisseau" Inclosed was {
scrap Of paper bearing my brothers sigma
| ture, which | saw at once was genuine.
turned cold as l finished the perusal OF
this letter, but, commanding my voice as
well AS | WAS able. bade the servant send th'
| bearer to me at once. | was not left long in
suspense the door of the salon soon reopen
ed, and a little figure appeared on the thresh
old. A fragile-looking boy, about clever
years of age, dressed in dark blue blouse
which hung loosely about him, and wearing
| on his head a red knitted fishermAn'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 lashe
sweeping his delicate cheeks. He shut tn,
door softly behind him, and gave a swift
searching glance around the room; then, al
though abashed by my presence, he stoo'
with downcast eyes, and his hands loosely
folded before him, awaiting my questioning
My boy" l said, addressing him il
French, 'can you conduct me to this gentle
man who is so ill?'
Again his dark eyes wandered about tn
room, as though to reassure himself that WI
were alone, and then he replied softly il
English, though with foreign accent,
"Surely, madame, l will but it must b
with all speed, or it will be n lost journey"
Telling him Ia wait for me where he was
| left the room, and hastened TO prepare TO
my expedition. My heart sank within me a
the idea of venturing out into the night witt
no other protector than the little child wait
ing below but nerved myself to perform
the duty l felt had fallen across my path, ant
made up my mind to act as became sol
dier's Sife-fearlessly l had about thi't.
sovereigns in my possession, as 1t happened
and making up the sum required as nearly a
could in French money, placed it careful
ly in small bag, which hung on my arm
Dressing myself in dark bonnet and traye
ling cloak, descended quietly to my apart
ment, without giving intimation of my de
parture to any one. The child stood precise
iy as had left him, with the light falling o.
his pale face, and his hands loosely locked
one another told him WAS ready to start