Year: 1878

Armande Duplisse, alias Cecil Bertram,
alias Mary Seafton, alias Hattie Downes,
alias ETC., etc, il one Of the most skillful
blackmailers in the country. She works
alone, assisted sometimes by male friend.
Not more than two months ago, under the
assumed name Of Mary Seafton, she got
employment as housekeeper in the family
of wealthy merchant, and she displayed
such knowledge of household affairs that
Mr.. J. and his wife voted her priceless
treasure. She had been there about a
week, and the lady OF the house went ON a
visit to friends in the country. One
night Mr.. J. went home late, and assembled
to his bed chamber to retire for the night
While turning down the gas, lie heard a
noise from behind the bed. Drawing
aside the bed clrtains, he saw his house
keeper, clad only in light chemise, lying
on the outside Of the bed. Before he could
recover his presence of mind the woman
sprang to the floor. and winding her arms
around him. held him in vise-like clasp,
and began to kiss and hug him. He strug-
gled to free himself, and seeing this, the
woman uttered piercing scream, followed
by shrek after shrek The household was
aroused, and minute later every servant
WAS in the room gazing in amazement at
the suggestive spectacle. Mrs. Seafton
:. was living prone on the floor in dead
Tut, her dress torn in several places and


hair disheveled, and Mr.. j. stood
Pfy4king at them aghast. The woman told
> q story about suddenly awaking and find


y herself in Mr.. J.'s embrace, in his
9Jm. The appearances were conclusive,
and the beautiful honsekeeper quit the
house the next morning $500 richer.


Another and successful attempt at black
mail by this woman is Of more recent oc-
carrence. As before, the woman, armed
with frst-class letters Of recommendation,
and this time under the name Of Armande
Duplissc, obtained situation as govern
ess in a respectable family, consisting Of
husband, wife, a grown son, two grown
daughters and little girl. Miss Duplisse
was SO quiet and gentle in her demeanor,
and gave such evidence of culture and re-
finement, that the family, believing the
story that she had told about her once
wealthy and aristocratic connections treat
cd her as their equal. One Of the daugh-
tiers was engaged to be married, and her
suitor came, and to him the governess was
presented, and he was told that the same
courtesy was due to her as to the other la
dies Of the family. Upon this the young
gentleman took a kindly interest in the
beautiful governess, and frequently sought
her company. One night after the rest of
the family had retired, the young man,
Frank, went to tine library to get book to
take to his room to read. The gas was
turned low. and us he entered the room he
saw a white form on the divan. Drawing
nearer, he saw that it was Miss Duplisse.
Her head was bowed ON the cushion Of the
sofa, half concealed by her arms, and it
seemed to him that he could hear sobbing.
lie called to her by name. She started in
confusion, and put her handkerchief TO her
face as though to wipe away the tears. She





in the library, but showed no inclination
t. get out of it. Frank asked her the cause
OF her grief She looked up shyly, then
sitting up, her eyes glaring almost tiercely,
her breath coming short, her bosom rising
and falling and seeming to swell with an
intense emotion, she told Frank that she
loved him.


Frank was astounded at this, and re-
monstrated with incoherent words. In
passionate accents the woman told him
how intense, how consuming was her love
for him, and yet he was to be another's
Oh, that thought alone was killing to her
The youth lost his Wits and sat there as
in dream, listening to this beautiful
woman eonfessing her love for him. SO
well did she act her part that Frank dis
covered that it was day and the household
.astir only when a servant, passing in the
hall, saw the library door ajar and the
faint glimmer Of light, and pushing the
door open, saw the couple, uttered an ex-
clamation Of surprise, and hastily re-
treated. That the servant told her young
mistress, Franks betrothed, of what she
had seen in the library, there is no doubt,
for the maiden instantly sent for him and
demanded an explanation. Frank told the
truth but she would not believe him. He
sent for the governess to confirm his story.
Instead of doing SO she fell on her knees,
begging forgiveness but oh, she loved
Frank so. This confirmed the maiden's
suspicious, and, with her eyes suffused
with tears, she left her lover and the gov
erness alone. Frank implored the woman
il she loved him, TO set him Alright in the
mind Of the family. But she shook her
head sadly, and murmured that it would
be too great sacrifice; and even il she
could bring herself to make the sacrifice,
where could she go? She had no money,
no friends. Upon his question as to
whether she would go if he gave her money
and letters Of introduction to friends
whose influence would procure her gen.
teel and remunerative position, Miss Du-
plissc hesitated moment, and then, SEEM
ingly by great effort, told him that she
accepted this offer. The letters were soon
written, the contents of Franks purse
(some $500 or $400) were placed in her
hands, and within an hour the beautiful
n L L.