Year: 1874

TmE following story was told me by a
woman well known in the city of b
as Il dealer in diamonds and as a money
lender. She is gifted with great pcrccp-
tive faculties, and she has gained by her
long experience in IL nice and pcrilous
business II deep insight into human ma
turc and alsoa gracious tact that enables
her to accomplish her will in spite of all
ordinary obstacles:


was sitting behind my counter in my
shop at four o'clock on a very dark and
stormy day of January last, when Il boy
entered and handed me a note. lie did
not ask u question of either me or my
brother, who stood near by, but he ran
oil ut once.


The note was very prcttily written up
on fashionable note paper. 1t read thus ::
VIII Mu.!alne dame r r .- kindly oblisc one who
ton or delay. to the corner OF Dayard place and
Eust Is street. where she will find coupe with Il
tnncln,an who is already instructed whittier to
Ef,'v M hrf; Of rhS writgr il in mmrdate and tcrF
bring S!'hm with her she will greatly facilitate
tue negotiation OF an unhappy but necessary
transaction.


There was certain dircctness and
conference about the letter, said Madame
q, That ut once put me on my guard





Il designing man or Of an unusually clear
minded woman, and, as the latter is some
What rare, to judge at least from the
notes ladies commonly write, l felt that
to be particularly careful in this case was
my best method.


| confess that ut first I was not inclined
to respond to the letter at all, but my de-
sire to uO good stroke of business, if
possible, together with some curiosity,
perhaps, made me yield eventually. and
| accordingly dressed for the cxpedi-
tion.


called in a boy to remain in the shop
with my brother, who took my place be-
hind the counter. then left the place
and proceeded at once to the spot inOi
Gated in the note, accompanied by the
policeman whom l employ regularly us
my bodyguard. I found the coupe.
The horse was large and beautifully
harncsscd, and the coachman was we'll
trained.


Iaskcd him where he was instructed to
drive me to. lie replied:


g TO the rear Of No. -- LongWOrth
street, il you please"


"Ey which way do You intend to go?'
lie gave me the most direct route.
asked him to take another lie asscntcd
did this in order to sec if his conduct
had been arranged for him, which would
have been tho case had there been any
thing wicked in the matter. | felt rcas-
surru Longworth street is in the best
and richest part of the city, and, though
It's ncighlorhood is secluded and quiet, it
is well protected and we'll lighted.


We performed the journey in fifteen
minutes.


We drew up in an allcy-way which led
in the rear Of the dwellings and descend
ct amid tho snow and hail and saw be-
fore INC high brick wall, which ran
ON either hand as far as the eye could
reach. l had no sooner stepped upon
the walk than {; small door in front of me
opened, and IL young maid, with a cloak
over her head and shoulders, looked out
and bade me enter.


did SO and crossed wide-flagged
courtyard and entered at a door in the
basement of Il handsome and lofty house.
The entries were almost dark and all
the doors were closed; and, l thought,
purposcly. The girl led me up tho
servants stairs to the first floor, and then
up another flight to the second floor.
Here we stepped out of the staircase into
tho hallway.


1t was among the most beautiful that l
had ever seen. The carpets were rich
and very thick the walls were vain
scoted and were hung above with Span
ish leather. The air was warm and per-
fumed, and soft light was shed down
ward from a huge Chinese lantern, whose
parti-colored and janging pendants
swung to and fro, throwing moving
shadows over the walls


Come this way" said the maid, and
she led me with some haste into pas
sage which led to the left and upon
which there opened two tall, dark doors.
At one of these she knocked softly,
and then entered, directing me by nod
TO follow her.


found myself in well-lightcd and
luxurious apartment, and surrounded by
articles and furniture of great beantv
and elegance.


Standing beside small and delicate
table was young lady.


She was tall and slender. and her car
riage was striking for it's graceful ease,
Her face was regular and it was cx.
trcmcly handsome. She at once ap-
preached me with great haste, and, seiz-
ing my hand, she cried:


"Oh, madam, how glad am that YOU
have come! l was afraid that you would
be offended because was so peremptory
but did not mean it-indeed, am so
sad that have not the courage TOTO
ask my bird to sing to me-"


She fixed her eyes upon mine, and
saw that they we're red with weeping.


am in great trouble" she pursued
ana only you can assist me. l must
sell you something. I must persuade
you 10 take some Of my dresses and