Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1901-03-22

older than she. had visited her regular
ly every six months during the past ten
years and then had disappeared. no one
knew where. All was mysterious about
this Lady Of the Key One day came
to her the news Of her husbands death.
She survived him but short time. and
1t was whispered that she had allowed
herself to die from hunger That was
all the notice Of her death had to say
about the matter. The mystery still
remained unexplained, and the interest
concerning her grew less and less and
gradually died away altogether"
M. Lebon paused to relight his ciga-
rette, which he had allowed 10 20 out.
After doing this, he settled back in his
chair, pulled once or twice. but did not
seem at all inclined to continue the
story.
WELL" calculated. Ego on. That is
no story. Why. you haven't even said
what the mystery was, or why she was
called La Dame la Cleft"
"Ah, yes" he replied pensiyelv.
quite right. had forgotten. Gentle
men, have not said that she was
beautiful, yet such was the case. Her
face was one Of the loveliest that |
have ever seen. her figure was perfect.
and'-
"Well?" interrupted Nj. Blouet some
what impatiently.
Gentlemen, j will not bore YOU"
continued M. Lebon smiling. simply
imagine her beautiful In face and form;
then gentlemen, around her neck.
which was Of the purest mold. was
riveted a golden chain to which was
attached this key. And, gentlemen.
from the LIST Of June, 1S4S. to the day
OF her death the chain never left her
neck, nor the key"
He paused again and once more
! seemed disinclined to go on.
WELL" said NJ. Blouet, we have the
mystery; now for the solving of it"
Gentlemen" continued NJ. Lebon,
smiling sagely as he tipped of the
ashes OF his cigarette, ct have told you
all that anybody but myself knows.
Is that not enough? You now know
what all Paris knew. Are you not salts
fed?" and he laughed quietly to him
self.
We smoked for few moments In
silence, both M. Blouet and myself sur
missing that the best way to hear the
rest Of the story was to leave the mar
rator completely to himself In a mo-
ment the latter began again, speaking
rapidly and in short sentences.
I'm 1S48 her husband owned q
country house near Passy. She was
then young and gay. No chain or key
adorned her neck then. One day she
was surprised by her lord, shutting
somebody In the wardrobe. A servant
had betrayed her. The Muscovite
Othello turned the key twice IN the
wardrobe, took 1t out, then told his
wife to follow him. A travelling
brizska stood a few PAGES from the
villa. More dead than alive, the I'M
happy woman obeyed. When the hus-
band had placed her IN the carriage he
gave an order in low voice to the
coachman. Keep this key he said to
his wife. I have forgotten something
and will return then went back to the
house.
HE returned, according to his prom
Use, but as the carriage descended the
hill the poor woman saw flames issu-
ing from the windows Of the villa. She
tainted. Three days she remained I'M
conscious. On regaining her senses she
perceived that q gold chain was riveted
around her neck, to which was attach
ed a golden key, the exact counterpart
OF the original, bearing an inscription.
She wished to kill herself, but her hus-
band pointed to the inscription and
added that IL she would save her fam
lily from dishonpr she must ever OBJ
serve 1t. She was therefore condemned
to live. Her strange necklace excited
much curiosity In Paris. At last her
tyrant allowed her to retire to a quiet
retreat on the express stipulation that
she would not attempt to destroy her
self during his lifetime. His death re-
leased her from this condition"
Some three weeks later was calling
on my friend Lebon, who wished to
show me some old manuscripts that he
had been collecting. He produced a
large box Of rosewood, which he casu-
ally remarked contained his family pa,
pers. 40 my establishment, he drew
from his pocket the mysterious key and
inserted 1t In the lock, which yielded
readily to his pressure, and the 1idfiew
back. $50 y
.Why.ry I exclaimed In wonder. s;thas