The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1878-09-07
LOVES SACRIFICE,



establishments of San Francisco was a
young girl named Mary Elliston. She
was very young, but with character
sure to be met with in the life Of an or
phan She had clear, beautiful gray
eyes; cheeks soft and delicate as the
leaf Of the rose brown, curly hair
shaded low, broad forehead, instinct
with intellect and intelligence. She
was snal In figure, but the petite form
whs faultless iii its exquisite delicacy of
outline and contour. 1t was impossible
not to love her, IL to such physical beau
ty is added the generous and kind heart
she really possessed
1T is not surprising that such a girl
had many admirers. 1t would be
strange if she had not. But there were
two who, from their devotion and her
treatment, acquired prominence over
the rest. Indeed, the sphere they NOV
ed in was far above that of the little
milliner. She believed they loved her;
and Notwithstanding the great differ
ence in their social position, believed
they meant kindly. That they loved is
certain. They were jealous; and more
than once a hostile meeting was innl-
nent between them.
Her way home from the store led by
Jackson square. 1t was not as beauti.
ful then as now, but its rich foliage and
elegant bowers even at that day excited
admiration. One evening, as she pass-
ed along the river side of the square,
she was met by Lusiand Lacour, the
richest and most perseyering of her ad
mirers, but the one whom she favored
the least. Indeed it was said she dis
liked him, and on one occasion had re-
sented bitterly an insult he had offered
her. A pasSer. by heard her voice rails.
ed Indignantly as she passed him that
e, ening in front of the iron gate. Stand
ing there moment, she entered the
square, from which, a half hour after.
ward, she was seen to hurry away with
every sign of distress and intense ex-
element.
1t was but few minutes after this
that young Lacour was found murder
ed, lying on the iron bench with short
Spanish dagger through his heart. The
girl had been known to possess such
weapon-the gift of one she never nam
ed. r
This was ALL
OF course almost every one believed
her to be the assassin. could not /
had seen too much of criminal life to
mistake Its characteristics. That girl
was innocent 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 of grief and distress. After
she was taken to the station Mr.. l.. aad
myself visited her, to see il we could
learn anything of the case.
We felt more like friends than detect.
ives. The sad orphanage OF the young
girl enlisted our deepest sympathy and
touched our hearts-they would have
been fiinty, indeed, had they not soft
ened at her distress. never saw such
anguish before. The pale, beautiful
face was almost wild with terror. She
was frantic one moment and sobbing,
walking, and terror-stricken the next
AS we entered the cell she threw her
self at my feet, and, lifting her face, so
pale and beautiful, walled out:
am innocent, sir am inno-
cent"
81 believe you are, Mary; and it was
to help you that we came here"
81 could not do such deed, sir; in
deed l could not"
81 know that but, Mary, do you
know who did?"
She lifted her face quickly, and wild,
frightened expression crossed it, and
then it grew like marble in an Instant.
| She did not reply, Dut never saw one
/ in whom hope seemed so suddenly and
utterly to have fed as thatgirl's then. l
| repeated my question:
"Do you know who did, Mary?"
She shook her head and 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 justice. She could help US
in this. But she still shook her head.
Mary, Paul Villiel is the man."
She sprung to her feet and screamed
out rather than spoke her denial.
No, no, no, not him; it was l, it
was !. did it! I'll acknowledge it
now-punish me If you will, but do not
accuse him-dO not let him be arrest
edp"
It was plain to see now. My first
impression was correct. Young Villiel
had come upon his rival talking with
Mary in the square, and under a 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 Vi'liel fed the country, 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 ter-
rible crime laid to her charge finally
killed her. shall never forget the
scene l witnessed in her cell. The
desOlate woman struggling with her
anguish and terror haunts my memory