The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-10-13

son was taken out Of Il. He was then
LED through various passages and W
and down staircases. probably for the
purpose OF rendering IL the more dim
cult for him upon any future occasion
to trace his way.
When the bandage was taken from
his eyes he found himself In a room H.
Illuminated with many wax candles, and
hung with black cloth. The floor. the
wall and the ceiling were alike cover
ed with these mournful hangings, and
no part OF the apartment was without
them. except one large niche in the
wall. near which were placed stones
and mortar and the necessary imple-
ments for making use OF them. The
mason was astonished and alarmed at
all he saw. He turned aroun to seek
an explanation. but found himself en-
tirely alone.
He had full leisure to examine the
funeral ornaments by which he was
surrounded. but AZ length he heard a
noise n q portion of the hanging be-
ing lifted up. discovered q door. which
was thrown open Through this enter
ed a number Of men IN black cloaks,
whose faces were concealed by masks.
They entered. dragging with them a
beautiful young woman. whose dishe-
veled hair. streaming eyes and disorder
ed dress proved at the same time her
misery n the compulsion under which
she was suffering.
AS soon as h was in the room she
sank on her knees before her masked
conductors and implored them in the
most moving tanner to have pity on
her. but they only replied by shaking
their heads. She particularly address,
ed herself to one Of them. who, from
his gray hairs, appeared to be older
than the rest. She embraced his knees.
and with sobs and cries besought his
mercy. To these supplications no an
swer was given, but upon a signal
made she was dragged forward. and,
in spite Of her screams n resistance
was forced into the niche. where she
was bound with cords.
The gray-haired mask then desired
he mason to begin his task. and to
wall her up. But the poo man, hor-
ror-stricken with what he had seen.
imploring lamentations Of the lady,
who besought him not to be an Access
sorry to 80 foul a murder. refused to
proceed. Upon this the masks began
to threaten i m The mason fell on
his knees and entreated to be permit
ted to depart. But the masks drew
their swords from beneath their cloaks
and told him. with imprecations, tina
IL he continued to refuse to perform
what he had promised. instant death
should be his portion. while. on the
other hand, IL he obeyed, his reward
should be doubled.
The poor man, thus intimidated, com-
menced unwillingly his horrible task.
but stopped from time L time and re-
quested to be permitted to desist. The
masks, however, stood over him the
whole time with their swords drawn
and obliged him to proceed. until at
length, while the shrieks of the victim
became every instant more dreadfully
piercing as the wall rose upon her
which was to shut her out from life.
the tragedy was completed, and the
niche was hermeticallyw sealed with
solid masonry.
The mason threw down his trowel
more dead than alive The gray-haired
mask put 80 napoleons into his hands.
His eyes were again covered and he
was hurried from the room in which
the terrible scene had taken place. As
on his arrival, he was carried up and
through various passages. and
then put into a carriage. The carriage
was whirled as rapidly as before. and
after the stated period the mason
himself with his eyes uncovered
o n the spot in the Champs Elysees
Ht udu nISl DttH met, anu dlOne. |
The night was not far advanced, or
the morning was approaching.
The man was unne and bewildered
with what he had witnessed, but after
a hor time. he recovered the use of his
so far as to determine to go
to the governor of Paris.
with difficulty got admission
to Junot. his tale was at first disbeliev-
ed. but the 80 napoleons which he pro-
1ncaH and zfil more tho rxfno
with which he related the
different circumstances OF that dread
ful night, at length gained him entire
credit.
The police employed themselves very
diligently for some weeks i'm tracing
The scene of the crime. and the perpe-
trators Of II. Various houses within
certain distance of the capital were
and the walls of the rooms
we're inspected to see IL any marks OF
fresh stonework could be discovered.
rhe principal house agents of Paris,
he letters-out of carriages, etc, were
in the hopes OF finding some
,lue. out entirely without success.
This mysterious murder remained,
still remains, unexplained and I'M
but conjecture imagined Il
20 have been an act OF family ven-
,eance. According to this solution. the
masks were the father and brothers of
he unfortunate lady, who was consid-
red in some way or other to have dis
her race. They were also sup
to have been strangers from
distant part of the country. who
lad conn to the neighborhood of Paris
or the purpose of completing this vim
lictive act, and had gone away again
lfter its preparation. - Household