North Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1867-current, 1869-01-13

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A Woman's Fidelity.--A Dctective's
Experience.
One of the saddest memories connected
with my experience as detective, said Mr..
+. is in reference to young girl, who ma
ny years ago, was accused of murder.
There are those yet in the city who will
remember the details of the case. al the
time created an intense excitement. which
subsequent revelations did not tend to
lessen.
In one Of our fashionable millinery
establishments was o young girl named
Mary Elliston. She vas very Young. hut
with character formed by the sad experi-
ence which is sure to be met within the
life of an orphan. She had clear, bcauti-
ful gray eyes, and cheeks soft and delicate
as the leaf of the rose; brown curly hair
shaded low broad forehead, instinct with
intellect and intelligence. She was small :
IN figure, but the petite frame was fault
less in its exquisite delicacy OF outline and
contour. 1t was impossible not to love
her, if to such physical beauty is ascribed
the generous and kind heart she really
possessed.
1t il not surprising that such a girl had
many admirers. 1t would be strange if
she had not. But there were two whom,
from their devotion and her treatment, ac-
quired prominence over the rest. Indeed
the sphere they moved in was far above
that of the little milliner. She believed
they loved her, and Notwithstanding the
great distance in their social position, be-
lieved they meant her kindly. That they
loved is certain. They were jealous and
more than once hostile meeting was i'm.
minent between them.
Her way home from the store led by
jackson Square. 1t was not as beaatifut
then as now; but its rich foliage and ele.
giant bowers of that day even excited ad-
miration. One evening as she passed
along the river side of the square she was
met by Luisand Lacour, the richest and
most persevering Of her admirers, but the
one whom she favored least.
Indeed, it was said she disliked him,
and on one occasion had resented, bitterly,
an insult he had offered her. A passerby
heard her voice raised Indignantly, as he
passed them that evening in front of the
iron gate. Standing here for moment,
they entered the square from which half
hour afterward she was seen to hurry
away, with every sign of distress and in
tense excitement.
1t was but few moments after this
that young Lacour was found-murdered
lying on the iron bench, with a short
Spanish dagger through his throat. The
girl had been known to possess such a
weapsn-the gift of one she never named.
This was all.
Of course every one believed her to be
the assassin. could not. l had seen too
much of criminal life to mistake its char
acteristics. That the girl was innocent I.
knew. When arrested she protested her
innocence in language frantic and wild.
Terror had made her forgetful, seemingly,
of look and action. and she gave way to
the most excessive paroxyms Of grcif and
a
After she was taken TO the station, Mr..
l. and myself visited her, to see if We
could learn anything of her case. We felt
more like friends than detectives. The sad
orphanage Of the young girl touched our
hearts-they would have been finty in
deed had they not softend at her distress.
never saw such anguish before. The palo
beautiful face was almost wild with terror.
She was frantic, one moment, and then
sobbing, wailing and terror-stricken the
next. As we entered the cell she threw
herself at my feet, and lifting her face, so
pale and beautiful, and walled out, "rm
innocent, sir-I am innocent!'
81 believe you are Mary, and it was to
help you We came here"
Il could not do such deed, sir indeed
could not.'
~ knon that but, Mary, do you know
who did p
She lifted her face quickly, and wild,
frightened expression crossed it; and then
it grew like marble on the instant. She
did not reply, but l never saw one in
whom hope seemed so suddenly and utter
ly to have fled as that girl then. l repeat
Mary?'
She shook her head and remained silent.
told her that we were satisfied she was
innocent, but to establish this it was neces-
sary to bring the real criminal to justice.
She could help us to do this. But she
still shook her head.
'Mary, Paul Villiel is the man p
She sprang to her feet and screamed
out rather than spoke her denial -
"No, no, no, not him; it was me. it was
me. l did it! I'll acknowledge it now
punish me if you will, but do not accuse
not let him be arrested p It
was plain to me now. My first impress
sions were correct. Young Villiel had
come upon his rival talking with Mary
in the Square, and under first impulse
of resentment had slain him.
Her confession Of the fact was only
lacking to secure her acquittal. But she
would not confess; and from that hour
acknowledged her guilt.
A few days after young Villiel fed the
and in time his family furnished
evidence that released the girl. She, too,
went away; but it was not long before she
died. The fright and horror of the terri
ble crime laid to her charge finally killed
her.
! shall never forget the scene witnessed
in her cell. The desolate woman strug-
Cling with her anguish and terror haunts
my memory yet.
COUNTY AuDlToRs.-The new Office of
county auditor will haye practical exists
ence on and after the first of January.
Those county judges whose terms of Office
continue to January 1870, will be auditors
ez cticio. The auditor will be clerk of the