The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1897-08-06
II Clever Little UOman.
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The rain was dashing against the
hospital window one afternoon in
March when l made my rounds. left
Marta To the last, as | felt that on u
dreary day like this she would be more
than ever glad of Il chat.
/ had not sat beside her for five min
utes before | found that she was in a
highiy-strung condition, her eyes were
50 bright, her skin dry, and her pulses
quivering with their rapid beats.
After a few commonplaces, | said:
What is it, Marta? What is the mat
ter to-day? Gou have no new pain
lao fresh trouble?"
NO monsieur" she answered, lit is
that cannot still my thoughts to-day
is the anniversary and she stopped
Her beautiful gray eyes were full OF
tears, and she was trying hard to eNer-
else self control.
Tell me-" l said, "an about the an
niversary."
1t was - years ago to-day since |
met my husband, Jean Louvain," Sic
began eagerly, and our meeting was
strange one indeed! | was in search
of "a clever forger-whom the police be
HeNed to be a woman-and had tn go
To Riviera in search of her. | had been
in the Hospital of st. jacques to see Il
man whom / thought could give me in
formation, and Il occurred to me sud
denly that the dress of il Sister of Mercy
would be good disguise, | left Paris
an time TO reach MaTseilles early one
lovely morning, and going To the house
OF a friend L changed my clothes, and
scarcely recognized myself as | looked
IN the great glass at the railway station.
No hair could be seen, and the large
collaI and winged cap gave me quite
different expression. | had bought a
smal bag, exactly like those the sisters
carry. to hold the things | needed, and
| had my papers sewn inside ii dress |
wore was young then and the cases
that interested me occupied me so en-
tIrely that | became sleeplesS and suf-
tcred at times from Sudden faintness,
which would be succffded by Violent
pains in my head. To alleviate these
troubles carried always a bottle of
ether and tiny phial of chlorotorm,
both wrapped for safety in square of
jewelers. cotton"
'Ah, | seei" interrupted |. Your
forger found them, and used them to
stupefy you
tu.
my tale is better than that! At Mar
seiiles ! got INFO compartment
whence several people descended, and
man, who was its sole occupant, tried
to prevent my entrance, - IL uncon-
sciously; but l looked s~ply at him
and got in He then placed his arms on
the doorway and blocked the window
until the train leIt the station: then he
threw himself on the seat in the corner
farthest from me on the opposite side,
and flung OFF the large cloak he was
wearing.
TO my surprise and horror. | saw
he was partly dressed as a woman, and
he took from beneath the seat "A bag like
those in which workmen carry their
tools and quietly continued his toilet
Naturally | watched him. lie was small
and slight, and very fair, and when he
took off his coat and waistcoat. collar
and tie, | saw great scar beneath the
left ear going right under his chin.
Il knew him Instantly; he was Dru,
ette, the man whom ! believed safely in
prison at Toulon, who was the most in
genious and cruel of gang of thieves
who had infested Paris for three wears.
and who had been cleverIy captured
three months before. The captor had
received 5000 francs, and now he wa.
at large again, and here before me in
this narrow compartment. He stopped
his toilet, and said to me. in the quiet
clear voice which l knew to be one of
his characteristics:
My sister, am running for my life
My life is dear to me. and nothing shall
stand in the way of my fl eedom-do
YOU understand? Nothing!"
AS he said this he took fIorl his bag
a large, sharp knife. such as shoemakers
use, and lad it on the seat beside him.
Judge, monsieur, how | felt. Thought
is quick, and my brain had Travelled, far
in the few minutes of the journey. Here
was Durette; if only 1 could capture
him-the reward would make nv dear
invalid mother rich for the rest of her
life! / would try, ] would think; |
wonld not quail. But first l must act!
| shrank into my corner at his words
and trembIed, and let the tears fill my
eyes as L looked up appeaHngly at
him.
Fear not dear sister, he said mock
ingIy; If YOU do as say. you have moth
ing to dread. L shall quit the train at
Toulon, and you must talk To me as if
| were coming. home to my family,
and YOU had made acquaintance with
me at Lyons
"Of course l promised, and he went
on arranging himself. His hair was
short, and he put on black wom-
ans wig and earrings in his ears; he had
- ~. t,,-iet~s' ~-~-'----' - his waist. and
this he let down, then he made me fas-
ten white chemisette, and he put on
n bodice, which | laced. Judge how J
was thinking, monsieur! My hands
trembled with excitement, for the traiE
was rushing on, and it is barely one
hour betW cen MaTseilles and 1oulon
He talked suppose he was glad tC
speak again after his sol .ary imprison-
ment-be reassured me kindly, ano
said he would not harm me If L obeyec