The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1880-08-27

Her appearance confirmed her
words, for she still looked SO ex-
hausted as to hardly able to stand.
OF the truth OF her story there
could be little doubt; bur when it
was found that the grave had been
opened, aud the men who had done
so were recognized by the police as
having been before engaged in sim
liar nefarious adventures, il became
a certainty, and her property was
at once restored to her by the exec
ntOrs.
The public only awaited the op.
portunity to give her an ovation
such as is seldom, even in Paris,
accorded to the most celebrated
queens of the boards; but in this
courteous determination they we're
doomed to be disappointed. Mad
emoiselle Maurin refused utterly to
resume her position as leading lady |
at the theater, and announced her
intention OF leaving the stage for.
ever. A great change, in many |
things, had come over the actress.
Her glorious voice, which had been
the cause of most of her fame, was
irretrievably lost, and the terror of
the terrible experience OF being en-.
tombed alive seemed to have seri-
ously impaired her memory.
That she was not insensible of
this was evident. Her face would
flush and tears spring into her eyes
with modification ut thus being
surprised, and a-gradual dislike
growing upon her for the society OF
those to whom her misfortune was
known, no one was astonished when
she signitied her intention OF sell.
ing her house and furniture in Paris
and purchasing small estate in a
rural district OF Normandy.
Once more arrangements were
made aud the day OF sale fixed,
when the superintendent of a de-
partment Of police received call
from lady closely veiled, aud who
requested u private interview on "a
matter of lite and death.
"Monsieur," she said, after mo.
ment or two OF hesitation, g have
called upon you to stop q vii
lainous conspiracy. lallnde to the
woman who personates Mademois-
ellie Maurin."
"But, Madame,' the official an
swered, "you really are mistaken.
The lady undoubtedly is the actual
individual she claims to be.n
But, | repeat, she is an impos
tor" the lady said vehemently, and,
rising from her seat as she did so,
lifted the veil that concealed her
features. "She can be nothing else,
for | am the woman she pretends to
be. | am Mademoiselle Maurin."
For u few moments the superin-
tendeut was too surprised tOlspeak.
At last, however, assuming his
most official manner, he requested
her to give him proofs of what she
said.
The first part of her story differ
ed but little from that told by the
first claimant. She had awOke to
find herself the captive of three
men wearing black masks, aud who
from the slang aud patois of their
speech, she knew at once to belong
to the lower classes of Paris. All
her offers of large rewards, howev-
or, had been rejected with disdain,
and herself taken to an old, half
ruinous house on the edge of the
river, where she had been kept q
close prisoner uutil the preceding
day, when she managed to make
her escape.
Here certainly was a curious
complication of affairs. BOW to |
decide which was the real actress
aud which the impostor was di- |
lemma. The words of the lady be.
tore him gave him an idea.
Bring me face to face with this
woman she said. "Place her with
me upon the boards, and let the
public be the judge whether she or
am the Maurin they used to know
"Pardon me a moment, mad |
emoiselle," he said, as touching the |
bell an attendant entered, aud after
having given him some instructions |
in low tone he again turned to |
the lady.
81 am at your service now, Mad
emoiselle,' be said, "totry the test
you suggested"
Without any further delay they |
entered carriage together, aud
were driven to the actress house.
As they entered the hall, man
very flashily dressed came down
the stairs, and the lady caught the
superintendent by the arm.
"Tbat is one of the men," she
whispered hurriedly. "His mask
slipped off as he lifted me in his
arms, and | am sure heis the same"
Hardly had the words been spok-
en- than the superintendent had
stepped into the doorway, barring |
the mans egress.
"Pierre Rouge" he said, ~ want
you. You are my prisoner"
The mans only answer was re-
volver flashed like lightning trom
his breast, aud buried bullet in
the decreasing an inch from the
officers head.
Before he could again discharge
the weapon, however,rth the snperin-t
a n =. n. =