Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1891-10-07
OUR PASSENGER.

sT was stopping at the Hotel Windsor o
the Rue Rivoli, Paris.
One morning I sat smoking on the frou
yeranda, when tall, elegantly dressed ger
tleman asked permission to light his ciga
by mine.
I saw at glance that he was Ere uch
man, although his ''English" was earl
perfect.
Shave you heard the newss" he inquired
"No."
SIS it possible? Why. all Paris is aliv
with it at this moment"
"What has happened?"
ssThe Countess de Marville-the fairest
the fair-was found murdered in her bet
last night, her bureau broken open, and ~,
600 francs missing from 1t. Oh! it was ter
rib!e! There were marks of fingers on hel
throat; the brute who did the deed effected
his entrance through the window OF he
chamber, near which, unfortunately, was
tall tree, planted years ago by the dlssin
guished grandfather of the countess. Lit
tie did he imagine the terrible use that
would be made of il"
"This is bad news. How any man could
harm woman thus, in cold blood, is more
than can imagine"
"Ab. monsieur, if you had ever seen the
countess you would marvel still more. She
was beautiful, beautiful as an angel, 'he add
ed, stroking his whiskers with an uumistak'
able air of vanity. II knew her we'll"
tIndeed."
"Oh, yesl There are in Paris few pop
ular women unknown to me-"
His manner now was decidedly conceited,
and I felt disgusted with him. My GOODNESS
evidently repelled him. for he soon left me.
Afterward heard from others accounts
of the late tragedy. Among the details Of
the affair was one which peculiarly impress
ed me, and which my first informant had
not spoken of-an oversight that surprised
me, as the occurrence he had not mentioned
was of that kind which would be most apt
to strike the fancy.
Upon the throat of the countess the mur-
derer, in throttling her, had left mark
from ring he wore-the impression of a
chariot wheel, with star in the center!
s'This," said my latest informant, ''may
lead to the discovery of the murderer. Jean
Mosqueau is already visiting the jewellers
shops, to find out from which, and by
whom, ring with the chariot wheel de-
vice was purchased"
"Who is Jean Mosqueaus"
ssParbleul monsieur, have you not heard
eff Mosqueau, our famous detective? Al
thongh his courage is well known, you
would not, to look at his fair, girlish face
and delicate form, believe that he could
fight gnatl"
A week later was aboard the steamer
bound from Calais to Dover. Among the
passengers I beheld one whose face had a
familiar look. / was not long in recogniz-
ing this person as the same had seen at
the Hotel Windsor, and who had first in
formed me of the murder of the countess.
He was certainly very handsome man,
although his eonceited air was q blot upon
his good looks.
He moved languidly hitker aad thither,
now and then turning his brown eyes ad-
miringly upon the pretty lady passengers,
while stroking his whiskers with Que white
hand, upon the middle finger of which was
a superb diamond ring.
am of a rather suspicious nature, which,
combined With lively Imagination, has Of
ten led me into singular errors.
Now, a strange impulse moved me to ad.
vance and hold out my haud tot man whom
had involuntarily disliked from the first,
in order that l might have chance to
glance at his ring! Somehow, the idea had
possessed me that would discover chariot
device upon the glittering baublsl
The stranger did not at first recognize
me. He soon did, however, and frankly
extended his left hand, which WAS not the
one containing the ring!
My brain fairly reeled; the mans be-
havior was conviction of my suspicious.
''The other hand, if you pleesel' / said
in low, stern voice.
'Monsieur will excuse me, if he please.
My other arm is lame with rheunatismv'
He beheld me glance toward the half hid
den ring, and was sure saw him start
and turn pale, while, at the same time,
looking much surprised.
He, however, opened his right band, as if
perfectly willing for me to shake it, if
chose. Then had a good look at the ring,
and felt ashamed of my suspicious. The
device was common heart, which cortain-
ly bore no resemblance to chariot wheel!
After little commonplace conversation,
to recover my self possession, turned
away, resolving in future to have batter
opinion of my fellow creatures.
The strangers beauty seemed to attract
the attention of many of the ladies. Oae,
modest looking little thing, at.
tired il black, kept directing furtive glances
at the handsome passenger. Finally, she
glided so close to him that, in turning, he
brushed against her.
An apology, smilingly received by the
little lady-a remark about the weather on
the part of the man-and the two were soon
with animation. Mean while the
blushing check and bright eyes of the fair
one seemed to betoken that she was well
pleased with her companion, whose air was
now more conceited than ever.
II am afraid we will have a Storm" she
pointing toward dark cloud
fIo OF nf
anxiousiy gazing.
"We may, but do not feel alarmed, mad
ameW
With an air of nonchalance he pulled
red cigar case from his pocket, asked his
companion if she objected to smoke, and
being answered negatively, opened the case.
Then he started, and quickly re urning this
to his pocket, pulled forth another, of blue
color.
''How many cigars do You smoke In a
day?" inquired:the lady, evidently amused
at the sight of two cases.
The other colored, and it struck ma that
his voice faltered slightly and his hand trem-
bled, as he made some laughing retort.
Soon the storm came pouncing down up
on us. We were midway 10 the channel,
SO that we caught the full force of the sea
and the gale. Both were terrific. The SEQ
swept the unfortunate boat, which lay so
far over that her machinery soon was dam-
aged, 80 that it could not work.
The wind, screaming like demon, threw
her over still further.
Suddenly we observed the sailors en-.
6eavoring to loosen long boat on davits
astern. Meanwhile there Yves an ominous
grinding, smashing noise under the coun-
ter.
The truth could not longer be concealed; !;
we were sinking
The ladies screamed-the handsome pas
sspger lost his self possession, and ran wild
ly hither and thither.
Meanwhile, the cool behavior of the lit
tie lady in black contrasted stran gely with
the agitated demeanor of those around her.
There she. stood, calm and immovable, her
bright, steel blue eyes fixed upon the hand.
some stranger, of whom she did not lose
sight for moment.
'Keep quiet, ladies and gentlemen!'
sang out the captain. "Keep quiet, and
don't crowd round the boat sol There will
be room in it for you all, and, besides there
is schooner coming to our assistance. y
pointing towsrd large vessel bowling along
toward us before the wind.