The native Virginian. [volume] (Orange Court House, Va.) 1867-187?, 1869-04-02
A TRAGEDY,
BY A DETECTIVE.

There is a low ruined cottage on St.
Anthony street, New Orleans, where
the moss grows over the roofing and the
rickety doors hang by broken hinges -
Dust and age have hid the floor from
sight, and the decaying walls are damp
and mouldy. Only one room is habta-
Bile, and that shelters an old woman,
gray and decrepid. Sitting on a low
stool she mutters lullaby-an old time
song. Age has deprived her of reason
but the sorrow tragdy wrought is yet
! fresh at her heart.
| twenty years ago she was beautiful.
| The olive cheeks were radiant, and the
glorious eyes flashed the triumph Of a
belle. Tall and slender, exquisitely
| formed, with rich A ndausian type of
beauty, it is no wonder that she reigned
regally over many hearts. AT that time
no society in the world was more bril-
liant than ours. Wealth and hospitali-
ty went hand in hand, and the most re-
fined and elegant in the land did ho =
mage to the beauty of New Orleans. -
70 be star regnant of such society in-
volved more than physical loveliness,
and Blanco CASTILLO had all the graces
that intellect bestows.
None knew then she was married. A
young clerk of her father had gained
her heart and hand. In this cottage her
infant son was born-here, when she
stole away from the bewilderments of
fashion, she enjoyed the society of9 the
man whose love she had ventured 80
much to win. Wedding him in secret,
she had contriyed to deceive her pa
rents and friends.
There were few things the father
would not have pardoned in his child
but not this. He was wont to boast,
that kingly blood was in his veins; that
ais ancestry had fought under the stand
ard of Arragon. How could he accept
a plebian son-in-law? Months went
hy and the mask was persevered in.-
But a jealous rival discovered the de-
ception at last. And one night the
young husband fel! dead from shot
fired by a concealed assassin. 1.-The bull
let that pierced his heart DESTROYED the
life of the child he held In his arms.
Who did it?
Mr. I. and myself had the working
up of the case. The city was wild over
the tragedy. The unhappy wife, wild |
with grief, had not hesitated 90 avow her |
marriage. 1t produced an excitement |
in society rarely if ever seen before.
But who was the murderer?
This was the question upon every |
tongue. 1t was for us to discover
Months went by in incessant search
Here and there link in the chain ofevi-
dence was picked up until at last we
were able to lay our hands upon the
man. But, if the deed itself was horri-
lying, the culprit, when known, occa-
stoned a thrill Of indignant sympathy
for the unfortunate wife felt by all. =
Before arresting him, however, he
leemed it advisable to consult the lady.
For this purpose Mr.. |. and myself Wis
ted her. She was still at the cottage,
never having left it since the night of
,he murder. When shown in the room
my heart turned sick as contemplated
he ravages few short months had
made. The form was bowed and bent
the beauty which had been the toast
'f brilliant society had fled. Before us
'tood lady whom grief had all but
wrecked.
"Madam, we have come to consult
-ou in reference to the murder of your
lusband."
"You have found him then ?" she ca
erly inquired.
"Yes."
"And he is-,"
| could not help the sad look that
anne into my face. How could | affllct
heart so worn and weary with addi-
ional sorrow.
"You do not tell me-" she SAID, with
n intonation ofyoice so exquisitelv sad
hat 1T went to my heart.
~ must tell you, madam, deeply as
rieve to do so; but you must prepare ,
ourself for a great shock" l rel oined. ,
''What other calamity can befall i,
le? 2"
''Perhaps a greater one than you have :
ct encountered. fear You will esteem :
such." .
"Speak, who is it?" ;
Your father"
"My father?-Oh no, not him; say il ?
as not him." and her arms stretched :
ut to me so appealirgly; the white lirs +
nd anguished eyes were so beseerchin9 =
lat felt | would rather die than face .
lch an ordeal again. !,
my father?" u y
"Yes, madam, the chain of circum- !
antial evidence leaves no room for =
1ubt. He did the deed. 1t seemed as .,
this last sorrow had broken her heart. =
ne stood up before me; every trace OF y
'lor fled from her lace, with unuttera- !,
e anguish in look and gesture. y =
"Leave him alone with God !" and :
II fainting to the floor.
From that hour to this have never =
en her. She holds no intercourse =
ith any one. All else save faithful y
rvant is banished from the house. :,
rom her learn what | repeat to you. !,
er reason has no doubt fled; and she ="
is by the tireless hearth nursing her
'rrow alone with her sorTowtul mem