Year: 1870

ping, you SLY Ola bachelor u said he, half
laughing half scolding, in reply to my
greeting, and glancing at the bundle in my
hand. I've been waiting here an abonina-
bic long while, staring at the cobwebs and
yaWninG over the directories l have a
job for you, and must talk fast now to make
up for lost time. We have met with quite
a little loss, but the most aggravating part is
the way we were fooled out of it. Yesterday
morning richly dressed lady, of the most
charming manners and extraordinary beau
ty, drove to the store, and descending from
her coach, came in, inquiring for set of
diamonds. L went forward myself to at
tend her, and displayed our choicest sets,
which she examined carefully, chatting in
the meantime in a way that, without os
tentatlon or pretence, convinced me that
she was person Of great wealth and i'm
portance. She alluded to one set, remark
ing that it looked like the work of an old
employee of hers in Paris, and actually
named the very man from whose shop | had
imported them.


:" was not an exile, them, she mur
INJURED, softly, apparently forgetful of my
presence, shade Of grief stealing over her
fine eyes,


MY respectful sympathy was at once
aroused, and l even produced choice set
had laid by for an especial customer, a
splendid pattern in diamonds and sapphires.
1t struck her fancy Immediately, and she
purchased it for five hundred dollars, in
pay for which she gave me one thousand
dollar note. (What are you laughing at p
l glanced at the bank note list, saw it was
all right, and went to my safe for the five
hundred dollars due her. Just then foot
man came in and said something to her,
which did not hear. With sweet smile
of apology, she came toward me.


"' beg your pardon, said she Il am
summoned to an appointment, and it is
possible l may need that money. Bring
the jewels to the House, naming the
first hotel in the city, and will pay you
then for them. Ask for Madame Chevial,
at o'clock this afternoon


"Of course was ready to accede to the
proposition. l returned her the note, and
escorted her to the coach door. At three
O'Clock, married man that am | was dolt
enough to take the jewell myself, to the
hotel, instead of sending clerk. 1 want
ed another peep at Madame Cheval's
charming face. | was shown into splen-
did private parlor of the hotel, and found
there the lady, even more elegantly attired
than before. She received the case with a
smile, remarking carelessly, Il might have
paid you then, as did not use the money
and handed me the note.


81 returned her five hundred dollars, and
remained few moments, talking about
Partisan b%Outerie, with which she seemed
unusually familiar, and then made my adeu
with the most profound respect and admi-
ration. c., the witch, the mink cheated
me! Madame Chevial was a humbug, and
this morning found out my note was a
counterfeit | hurried to the hotel, but
nothing could they tell me, except that such
a lady had hired private parlor for three
hours, paid for it with bill since pronoun-
ced counterfeit and left for parts unknown.
Now, was there ever another such sstupid
fellow cheated in the way have been?"


eyes" answered |, laughing till my
chair shook beneath me, ego and see poor
d. think you'll each enjoy social con-



fab to night. Well done, Madame Chevial


I shall really enjoy hunting up such a
talented artistic ~


The city was flooded with counterfeits that
week. The "beautiful richly dressed la
dy'' had been in all directions, carrying
away invariably the hearts of the shopmen
and roll of genuine bills for change. She
had done fourishing business during the
three days we traced her about the city,
but for all that, our Investigations went no
further Not another sign or trace could
we obtain, although half dozen expert
detectives were put upon the watch. Sc