Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1880-04-29
Foiled by - Woman.
Madam, it is my duty TO arrest you!"


''Gou dare not !"
The lips were white with passion rather
than fear, and the lady stood before me like
lioness at bay. Even then l could not
help but note the splendid beauty of this
grand lady. Tall and slender, eyes black
and tlashing-almost lurid now; the spec
tacle she presented, standing there in the
middle of the apartment, was more the APP
pearance of queen than u hunted Crimi-
nal.
II must" | replied al do not doubt
your innocence; looking in your face, it is
not marked with guilt. But am constrain-
ed to do my duty madam, however inimical
it may be to my feelings"
"Wil you allow me to change my
dress2" she said in tone almost pleasant.
The hard lines around the mouth had re-
laxed, and the passionate glow of the face
gave way TO pleasant smile.
Certainly, will wait for you here. ="
81 wish to send a message for friend :;
will you allow him to pass?"
Certainly"
This was my first interview with Eu.
genia C0rmille. | had seen her here for
months, the leader OF our gayesG and most
fashionable society. In her splendid man
sion she dispensed the most profuse and
elegant hospitality.
A Spanish lady-a widow, she lad re-
presented herself-and had been a resident
here almost year. No one ever suspected
her of beng aught but what she seemed,
until one day l was ordered to arrest her as
a murderess.
1t was now alleged, said Mr. F., that the
young beauty was none other than the
woman who had poisoned her husband in
Havana, and fled with all his wealth. An
immense reward was offered for her appre-
hension, and the circumstances that had
come to our knowledge pointed her out be-
yond all doubt as the person we were III
search of. Yet the person who had recog-
nized her the evening before at the theatre
advised us TO be careful lest she should
escape us. | laughed at the idea. Mr..
and myself were sufficient to arrest a
lady. We were old enough in the ways Of
cunning to defeat any such attempts. When
the lady left me, | stepped to the window
and said TO Mr.. /, who was waiting at
the door:
"rhe lady desires to send friend; suffer
him to pass.
Almost at the same instant the door of
the apartment the lady entered was opened,
and a youth-apparently a mulatto boy
came out and passed hurriedly through the
room into the hall, and from thence into the
street 1t was no doubt the messenger, l
thought, and picked up book and COM
menced reading.
Nearly an hour passed, and still the lady
did not make her appearance or did the boy
return. The friend she had sent fer must
live at some distance, or the lady is unusual
ly careful about her toilet, | thought; and
so another hour went by. At last | grew
impatient and knocked at the door.
Madam, l can wait no longer"
There was no reply. | knocked repeat
edly, and at last determined TO force an
entrance. Strange fears harassed me. |
began TO suspect, | knew not what.
took but moment TO drive in the door.
and once in that apartment the mystery was
revealed The robes of the lady lay upon
the floor, and scattered over the room were
suits of boys wearing apparel, similar to
that worn by the mulattO. On the table
was O cosmetic that would stain the skin q
light, delicate brown.
was foiled for surety, the lady had
escaped IN the guise of messenger.
should have detected the ruse; | felt hu-
inflated, and determined to redress my
error. | knew she would not remain IN the
city moment longer than was necessary.
l hurried to her bankers and found she
had drawn the amount due her an hour be-
fore.
WHO presented the check?" asked the
clerk.
"A mulatto boy. 1t was made payable
to bearer"
There was yet chance, The French
steamer left within an hour; it was possible
she would seek that means of escape. |
jumped into a cab and arrived there ten
minutes before she left the wharf, just in
time 10 assist an aged, decreplt gentleman
into the cabin.
There were few passengers; none answer
ing the description Of the person | sought
| was in the act of turning away when a
hackman approached me with the remark :
MIR. f.. did you see that old man on
board; he had long white beard and hair
that fell on his shoulders?'
''Yes"
"Wcll, sir, there's something curious
about him."
"WhyW
"Why, sir, when he got into my carriage
he was mulatto boy, and when he got out
he was an old man"
| will not repeat the expression l used
then-it was neither polite nor retined-for
| knew the vessel would be far out to sea
before she could be overtaken. | was fl lied
by woman. Nor could l help rejoicing,
now that the chase was over, that sheihad
escaped.
Innocent or guilty there was charm
about her none could resist. The spell of
her wondrous beauty affected all who ap-
preached her. 1t fingers in my memory
yet; and | could not have the sin of heI
blood upon my conscience.
A Deadly Ring.