Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1860-10-12
ROCKVILLE, MARYLAND MORNING. OCTOBER 49, 1861

foreigners death, and the gaining of Es-
telle's hand subsequently.
The fair lady was not Ignorant Of Al
fo's passions for her, and she was, also
thoroughly conversant with his desperate
character. She was not aware that the
hot-beadcd SpaniarG could be present at
the entertainment which she purposed to
grace in company with her American
friend, against whom she was aware that
ALTO cherished an unqualified and venge-
full antipathy. But she met him there,
and she read in his settled hoatcar and
callous expression dangerous threaten
ing foreboding, which she did not forget
for q single moment to watch with the
utmost care and scrutiny, without affect
ing to observe either his appearance !. or
his conduct during the evening
"a gallant pair. upon nv honor. -
said young Croix to Antonio, as Ellis
worth passed down the saloon with the
lovely Estelle hanging gracefully on the
arm of her afiancod. " Live while you
may" he added to himself as the hand
some couple moved away. " Enjoy your
present opportunity-it is brief And
you, my IDOL" be continued bitterly,
"you. my scornful beauty, will yet be
mine minew
A moment afterward Antonio APP
preached him again.
"Estelle is monopolized tonight said
he. she declines me in the waltz, ALTO.
Twice have | yentured to solicit the
pleasure, and twice has she refused"
"She has refused me, also" said
Croix, sarcastically; +" but not twice.
craved the honor once, and she was en-
gagged. Look, Antonio. see how she
skins the floor supported in the arms OF
her American friend! By st. Mare, this
is too much !"
Before midnight, ALTO had wrought
himself into fury Of determined revenge
upon the unconscious Ellsworth, whose
life he had resolved upon taking and
when the signal for supper came, the
jealous Spaniard thrust himself as near
to Estelle and her betrcthed as possible
at table. Amid all the enjoyments and
hilarity of the occasion, however, Estclle
kept her eye upon the movements of ALTO,
whom she suspected Of mischievous de-
signs.
ALTO had provided himself with sub
tie and fearful poison--a drop of which,
once in the human stomach, would dis
patch the drinker straight.
The feast was q rare one, and was now
at it height; and young ALTO Croix felt
that the time had come for the destruction
Of his rival. Drawing from his yesture
a diminutive vial, he forced out the cork,
to which was attached small piece of
sponge saturated with the fatal poison,
and watching his opportunity when the
guests were in the height of their merri-
ment, he placed the sponge at the mouth
Of a bottle of choice Burgundy near him,
pressed out the liquid, and as skillfully
replaced the little vial and cork in his
pocket again. The movement had been
seen by the watchful Estclle, and she con-
tinued to eye the subsequent acts of ALTO
Croix, with unfinching cagerness. He
was too deeply in his cups to observe that
he was noticed at all aud haiIing an at
tendant, he handed him the bottle, par
TALLY filing his own goblet first from
another source.
The attendant placed the poisoned wine
at Ellsworths elbow with the compli-
ments of Signor Croix, when Estellc, as
quick as thought, exclaimed to Alfo:
Siguor, to the right--see p
ALTO quickly turned his head to ascer-
tain what was at the right" to cause
this sudden remark Of the lady; when Es-
tellc as quickly changed the position Of
the two decanters, thus setting the poi
soned wine in front of ALTO, and the 9TH
Yer in front Of Ellsworth, when ALTO turned
his head back again.
"What is it, my lady? p inquired the
Spaniard.
Nothing, nothing, signor; il passed
now" And the Spaniard being intent
upon his purpose, said to Ellsworth:
Your health, signor,"
Ellsworth filled his goblet, and drank
it of, in acknowledgement Of Altos sup
posed sincerity.
Five minutes later, the guests near the
young Spaniard we're afrighted at his
sudden pallor.
"Air, Anto--air !! | sulTo--air p yell
ed ALTO, and he was quickly borne out
upon the piazza.
A physician was sent for, but when
that gentlemen arrived, ALTO Croix was
stone dead 1t was clear that be had
been poisoned, too An active search
was instituted forthwith, to learn how
this occurred. In his vest pocket was
soon discovered the empty Phial. Theli
quid that still remained in the sponge
was examined, and found to be terribly
active poison. 1t was clear to all that
ALTO Croix had committed suicide
Estelle had no wish to make matters
worse by asserting what she knew of the
affair She contrived to keep the knowl-
edge she possessed a secret for several
years afterward and within six months
from the evening when her lover came so
near bis end through the miserable
treacbery Of her countrymsn, and bis
rival, she became the wife of Henry
Ellsworth.