Year: 1879

had been afforded her of the finger and
the spur, she had recognized both. The
latter had once been the property Of her
own husband, and thieving footman, a
taugenicht in his employ, had stolen it..
This same servant, finding himself
suspected of the theft, very prudently
quilted his masters service, and fed to
parts unknown before his crime could be
fastened upon him by proofs of his guilt.
By a scar-very peculiar and striking
from It's oddity-she recognized the finger
as belonging to that self-same servant;
who was now secreted under the bed-a
revengetul, villainous fellow, who had
evidently come to the house for robbery,
but whom she believed capable of murder
even, if that would serge his end. She
was in critical position, and aware of it.,
too. Yet she seemed outwardly as un-
concerned as babe, and carelessly
twirled the golden penholder between her
dainty fingers, as if merely studying what
to write. Her brain was, indeed, at work,
but not on her unfinished letter; and woe
to the object Of her scheming. he thought
himself indisputable master of the situa-
ton, but found his mistake grave one,
all too soon, as my story will show.


"Let me see," said the countess, as
though speaking to herself, yet loud
enough for the man to hear every word.
I must without fail, ask her down to see
me. But then, as left everything of
value in Berlin, except the bracelet and
napk1ooo uhioh ooxx, ho-o 49, l-
nothing suitable to wear if she comes.
Oh, yes! now recollect my husband
brought some of my jewelry with him
last week when he returned from the city,
and l had entirely forgotten it. Let me
count it over and see what [ really can
call into use. There are my diamonds,
those splendid and priceless heirlooms IN
the counts family; and those large spot
less pearls which the duchess, nv aunt,
gave me on my last birthday and have
that PIN, with the carved amethyst set IN
it, surrounded by lustrous emeralds, and
a change of bracelets, for he brought me
the one with my fine topaz-oh, yes! l
can do we'll enough for the few days she
will remain.".


''And then-well, I declare, it has Just
come into my mind. How careless in the
count. He intended to take all the mon
ey with him when he went away. but
must certainly have forgotten it. Seven
ty thousand thalers! just think Of it And
there it is all in that box on the table in
the other room, right beside my jewels
IT had thought about it sooner, I should
not have allowed the servants to go away
tonight, for, certainly, two helpless
woman, and towards at that, are poor
protectors for so much property. I am
afraid my husband would not feel very
easy regarding its safety if he knew how
we were situated tonight. Nor would I,
If l believed any one suspected we had it
in the house. But, pshaw no one would
expect us to bring any money with us to
this lonesome spot; and, even if a robber
should come, he would have to come
through my room to get the booty, for
there are no windows in the other apart
ment and no door leading into it save
the one there. However, I am sure his
going through my chamber would make
little difference, for I am a very sound
sleeper. And even if I did wake and
found him near: should be little in the
way of his accomplishing his object and
making away with his stealings, tor I
know I should be too frightened to stop
him. Besides, what could do in that
direction if had weapon even, for
am too weak and cowardly to use one +;
and then, too there ia none in the house,
If l wanted such thing. And as for
screaming, why I might scream myself
dead, and what good would it do? No
one lives near here, and few pass this way.
Taking all in all, think the things are
not very safe if any one comes to get
them; but I apprehend no danger from a
visitor of that kind.


Nov, what am to wear for dresses2
I'm sure I cannot think Of thing. When
| came here I had no idea of seeing any,
body but the peasantry hereabouts, and
now I'm thinking Of having real lady of
the court on hand, to pry into my things
and severely criticise them when she gets
back among my friends. I must 20
right away and overhaul my trunk Of
dresses. Who knows but the mice have
been making nests out Of my satin one?
or, perhaps, they have chosen that abom-
Unable silk which l never could bear to
put on. But then, as those are all that
have at hand, must use one or the other
this time; so III consume the next half
hour in examining into their condition,
after which I will retire.


There were but two doors leading out
of the apartment which she occupied.
and through one of these she now passed.
The other opened into large closet-for
it deserved no other name, though equal
in size to the room where the bed stood.
AS she had remarked, no ray of sunshine
ever found an entrance there, for it had
no windows. Why, no one exceps the
builder could tell, as the outer wall
formed part of thess house, and openings
could have been left there as easy as not.


No sooner was the countess foirlv out
of sight, end the door partly closed be-
hind her, than a burly form wormed it.
self out from under the bed and slipped
stealthilY into the closet. Fatal move |!
The room which he had entered, as the
countess we'll known, contained not a
single thaler or article of iewelry, though
the yalueless boxes, which she had stated
held treasures unspeakable, were really
there. His eager hand was already
clutching one of them when the door be-
hind him suddenly closed with a bang.
The next moment heavy bolt slipped
into its socket on the other side, and he
was a prisoner.


"AHrappirt! attrappirt! ottrapp;rt!'
exclaimed his jailer. as she finished lock-
ing the door. C'Caught! caught!
caught!)


Indeed it was 50. He was Gagged, i'm
prisoned-outwitted by woman, and his
cunning overmatched. He flew to the
entrance Of his strange cell, and dashed
the empty box furiously against that i'm.