The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1880-07-10
TRICKED AND TRACKED.
PART I.-TRICKED.

IT is now some years ago since an in
cident occurred in my life, which may
possibly prove interesting to those who,
like myself, are too easily imposed up
on; and although, by the recital, l hold
myself open to the ridicule of the mind
masculine, which, by its own showing,
isnever duped or deceived by impostors,
vet, in order to warn those of my own
sex who are more readily wrought upon,
will narrate, as nearly as I can, a
strange adventure which befell me dur
ing the winter of 1869.
am the wife of an English officer.
and, at the time of which / write, was
residing in Paris. Late in June, nv
husband had received orders to be in
readiness to sail with his regiment for
G. the following month; but, as his ab-
sence was not likely to be of long dura-
ton, had decided not to accompany
him, and had determined to make Paris
my headquarters during the time of our
enforced separation.
The preparations for his departure
had to be pressed forward with all expe-
dition, and, as is so often the case when
time is valuable, every possible difficulty
n
gress 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 ct once made inquiries on
all sides for man competent of filling
the vacant post. In this instance for
tune favored us. Just as we were be-
ginning to despair of success, a French
man, who spoke very tolerable English,
applied for the situation; and his refer
ences being satisfactory, we hastily en-
gagged him, heartily glad to have brought
an unpleasant affair to so fortunate a
conclusion.
Although lad many friends residing
in Paris, had no near relations could
ask to remain with me during nv tenn
porary exile; my husbands people all
lived in Ireland, and, with the exception
of few scattered cousins, my only ex-
listing relative was one brother (some
years younger than myself, to whom 1
was greatly attached, but who for years
past had been a source of constant
anxiety to me by reason of his wild and
reckless manner of living. My husband
had assisted him in numerous difficult
ties, but his patience had at last become
exhausted; and he had had to tell nv
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 fol-
lowed an interval of silence, which had
remained unbroken up to 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 slowly away Many of
my friends had returned to England for
the winter, and l was more than ever
alone; my husband had now been gone
some months, and, although his letters
began to breathe vague hope of his
return, knew that some time must vet
elapse before we should meet again.
One evening q remember it was the 22d
Of january, l was sitting by myself,
vainly trying to 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 letter was neatly folded,
and addressed in woman's handwrit-
ing to "The Lady of Captain Ralph
Branscombe," and was marked "Pri-
vate." 1t was, however, rather a
strengthening document; and breaking
the seal in spirit of curiosity, read
the following:
Madame write this to you on be-
half of your brother, Monsieur Richard
Willoughby, who lies at this house, dy-
ing. Would you see him alive. you
must come at once-without hesitation.
Madame, the 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