Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1869-02-18
A WOman's Fidelity.

MT. r., Is III reference W d young SHl,
who, many years ago, was accused of
murder. There are those yet in New
Orleans who will remember the details of
the case. At the time it created intense
excitement, which subsequent revelations
did not tend to lessen.
In one of our fashionable millinery es-
adjustments was young girl named Ma
ry Elliston. She was very young. but
with character formed BY the sad expe-
rience which is sure to be met with in the
life Of an orphan. She had clear, beauti
full gray eyes, and checks 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 added
the generous and kind heart she really
possessed.
1t is not surprising that such girl had
many admirers. It would be strange if
she had not But there were two whom
from their devotion and her treatment &C
quired prominence over the rest In
deed, the sphere that they moved in vas
far above that Of the little ailiner. She
believed they loved her; and, notwith-
standing the great difference in their So
cial position, believed they meant her kind
ly. That they loved is certain. They
were jealous and more than once hos
tile meeting was imminent between them.
Her way home from the store led by
Jackson Square. It was not as beautiful
then as now; but its rieh foliage and ele-
CANT bowers at that day even excited ad-
miration. One evening as she passed a.
long the river side of the square she was
met by Louisand Lacour, the richest and
most persevering of all 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 passer-
by heard her voice raised Indignantly as he
passed thepa that evening in front of the
iron gate. Standing here for moment,
they entered the square, from which, a
half-hour afterwayd, she was seen to lur-
~ away, with every sign Of distress and
intense excitement.
1t was but few moments after this
that young Lacour was found murdered
lying on the iron bench with short
Spanish dagger through his heart. The
girl had been known to possess such wea-
pom the gift of one sac never named.
This was all.
Of course, almost every one believed
her to be the assassin. [ had seen too
much of criminal life to mistake its char
acteristics. 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 paroxysms ofgrief and distress
After she was taken to the station, Mr..
land 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
linty indeed had they not softened at her
distress. never saw such anguish before
The pale, 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, 50 pale and beautiful, walled
out:
"Pm innocent, sir-I ana innocent,'
Il believe you are, Mary and it was
to help you we came here"
II could not do such deed, sir; in
deed I could not"
II know that; but, Mary, do you know
who did 2"
She lifted her face quickly, and a wild,
frightened expression crossed it, and then
it grew like marble on the instant She
did not reply, but never saw one in whom
hope seemed So suddenly and utterly to
have fed as that girl thea: I repeated
nay question
"Do you know who did, Mary?
She shook her head aud remained 81
lent.
| told her that we were satisfied that she
was innocent; but to establish this, it was
necessary to bring the real criminal to JUS
tice, She could help US to do this
But she still shook her head.
"Mary, Paul TiHiel Is tie aeaa /"
She sprang to her feet, AID 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-punsh me if you will, but do not
accuse him--do not let him be arrested -
It was plain to me now. My first i'm
preston was correct. Young Villiel had
come upon his rival talking with Mary in
the square, and under first impulse of
of ,asontonpt had Slain him
Her confession Of the fact was only lack