Year: 1865

|


musical voice of the fair masker-the sill


very tones of which, coupled with my ma
tive language, tended much to reassure me.


The next moment the door was opened
| by the driver AS | descended the steps
quickly around and perce. r"d that we were
in an inner court, surrounded on all sides
by lofty buildings If had really been en-
trapped, escape was now impossible, and a
sudden feeling of alarm made even my hand
trembiu


Come my friend !" pursued the lady,
whose face was still concealed by the mask.
and taking my arm as she spoke, she led
me forward to door, which she unlocked
| and threw open.
All was dark inside, and fancied the air
felt cold and damp. hesitated, and even
drew step back.


"What ~ she exclaimed with a light
laugh, are you afraid to enter here to-
knight, Sir Richard, where you have so of
ten been with me before ?"


These words convinced me that had in
deed been mistaken for somebody else-no
less, i'll fact, than an Ennglish baronet-
and determined me, to 90 forward and see
the end Of the strange affair.


"Of course, am not afraid of you"
ventured to say but what if the count
| should have returned during your absence ?"
This was the first time had spoken in
the ladies' hearing, and was not little
curious to know what effect my voice might
produce, Notwithstanding her eyes had been
deceived by my personal appearance, for |
had at no time been masked myself To my
great relief she did not indicate in any way
that there was anything wrong in either
the sound or the words, but answered with
assuring promptness.


"Oh, if that is all, have no fear, for he
cannot possibly reach Paris under three
days. But how was it, Sir Richard, that
you disappointed me before ?n


must explain that some other time"
evasively replied Here, madam, please
give me your hand" added as she was
about to set forward through the dark pas
sage i'll advance of me " | can always
walk better with such a sweet friend to
guide me-"


She gave me her hand, though | fancied
there was slight hesitation 1t might be
only fancy, but somehow my suspicious
were reawakened. Could it be that we
were both playing part? that the whole
affair from the beginning was merely plot
to decoy me, foreign stranger, into her
meshes, for the purpose of robbery if not
murder that what | supposed to be a mis-
take was merely TuSe, and for her own
wicked purpose she was permitting me to
think that | was deceiving her? The very
idea under the circumstances, was so start
ling, that in a moment felt cold perspi-
ration start from every pore, and | would
have given half of my fortune to have been
safely at my hotel 1t was now too late,
however to attempt a retreat we were
cropping our way through dark passage
with the door closed behind us but her
hand rested in mine, and held it in such
away that she could not withdraw it with
out my consent. Daylight, moreover, could
not be far off, and there was some little con-
ISOLATION in the thought.


We presently came to a flight Of stairs,
ascended to another story, passed through
long narrow corridor, with several sharp
turnings, and at last stopped at door which
she unlocked and threw open. a blaze Of
light from large chandelier almost daz-
zled me, and | saw at a glance that the
apartment was luxuriously furnished. AS
soon as we had entered, the lady locked
the door, and then removed her mask, dis
closing ayoung and beautiful face, so ami
mated and radiant with smiles that instant
ly | felt ashamed of my base suspicious.


g There now, Sir Richard" she said gal
ly, you shall seat yourself in that fauteua
we will have a glass of wine together,
and then we will arrange our plan with
what haste we may, so that you can depart
before daylight, if you wish"


- l.. Al, Al.
at such close quarters, she still mistook me
for one who by her own showing was an
intimate friend The thing hardly seemed
possible. If true our resemblance to each
other must be remarkable indeed if not
true, then had | been lured hither for some
dreadful purpose. l seated myself as di-
rected, and awaited the result with a good
deal Of nervous anxiety. She stepped out
of the room for a minute, through an inner
door that was slightly ajar, and returned
without her domino, in a very rich dress,
and with decanter and two wine-glasses
on a silver waiter.


Here is your favorite sherry Sir Rich
ard" she said, with a very sweet smile,
placing the waiter on small table, pushed
the latter up before me, and seating her
self on the opposite side


AS filled the two glasses, the thought
occurred TO me that the wine might be poi
SOned.


If she drinks, however | will, said
mentally, but not otherwise"


We touched glasses, and both carried the
wine to our lips. My eye was upon her
She coughed slightly, and removed hers un-
tasted. In an instant | threw mine over
my shoulder unperceived, and remarked, as
replaced the glass, that | had never tas-
ted anything better.


"Try another glass zone hardly gives you
the favor!' she said, with her sweetest smile.


| thanked her, reflled the glass, took it
in my hand, and soon managed to get rid
of it in the same manner as the other.


Now, then" she pursued, let us az
range our plan about Mary, while we have
an opportunity. You know the count OPP
poses your marriage, for no other reason
than But, bythe-bye, Sir Richard, you
have neglected to drink her health y


"True !" returned | chow could have
been 50 thoughtless ?" reflled the glass.


'To the health of my dear Mary, and our
speedy union " continued, raising it to
my lips The eye ofmy fair hostess CLEANED
with a peculiar light, now watching me