Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1878-11-14
Loves Sacrifice.

LII OHt VI luo 1StSu1OudUlo MlIlfuCly CS-
Establishments in San francisco was
young girl named Mary. Elliston. She
was very young, but with character
formed by the sad experience which is
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 lose: brown, curly hair
shaded a low, broad forehead, instinct
ith intellect and intelligence. She was
small in figure, but the petite form was
faultless in its exquisite delicacy Of out
line and contour. It 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 who,
from their devotion and her treatment,
acquired the prominence over the rest.
Indeed, the sphere they moved in was
far above that of the little milliner. She
believed they loved her; and, nothwith-
standing the great difference in their
social position, believed they meant 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 rich foliage and ele-
CANT bowers even at that day excited adj
miration. One evening, as she passed
along the river side of the square she was
met by Husband Lacour, the richest and
most persevering of her admirers, but the
one whom she favored the least. Indeed
it was said that she dlsliked him, and on
one occasion had resented bitterly an in
suit he had offered her. A passer-by
heard her voice raised Indignantly as she
passed him that evening in front of the
iron gate. Standing there moment, she
entered the square, from which half
haur afterward, she was seen tc hurry
away with every sign of distress and in
tense excitement.
1t was but few minutes after this
that young Lacour was found murdered,
lying on the iron bench with a short
Spanish dagger through his heart. The
girl had been known to possess such
weapon-the gift of one she never named.
That was all.
Of course almost every one believed her
to be the ,sassiu. I could not. I had
seen too much of criminal life to mistake
its characteristics. That girl was inno-
cent. knew. When arrested she pro-
tested her innocence IN language Iran1ic
and wild. Terror had made her tolget-
full, seemingly, of look and action, and
she gave way to the most excessive prox-
ysms of grief and distress After she
Was taken to the station Mr.. L. and my.
self visited her to see if we could learn
nything 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 hea1ts-they would have
been flinty, indeed, had they not softened
at her distress. I never saw such an
guish before, the pale, beautiful face was
almost wild with terror. She was frantic
one moment ana sob5ing, walking, and
terror stricken the next. AS we entered the
cell she threw herself at my feet, and,
lifting her face, so pale and beautiful,
walled out:
II am innocent, sir-I am innocent"
IL believe you are, Mary; and it was to
help you that we came here"
II could not do such deed, sir; in
deed 1 could not"
II know that: but, Mary, do you know
who dido"
She lifted her face quickly, and wild
frightened expression crossed it, and then
it grew like marble in an instant. She
did not reply, but I never saw one in
whom hope seemed 80 suddenly and ut
terly to have fled as that girl then. re-
peated my question:
'Do you know who did, Mary?"
She shook her head and remained 81
lent. I told her 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 sprang to her feet and screamed
out rather than spoke her denial.
"No, no, no, not him it was I, it was I.
I did it! I'll acknowledge it now punish
me if you, will but do not accuse him
not let him be arrested!"
It was plain to see now. My first i'm
preston was correct. Young Vllllel had
come upon his rival talking with Mary
in the square, and under first impulse
of resentment had slain him. Her con-
fession of the fact was only lacking to
secure her acquittal, but she would no
confess, and from that hour acknowledged
her guilt. A few days after young Villiel
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 terrible crime laid to her charge
finally killed her. I shall never forget
the scene witnessed in her cell. The
dessolate woman struggling with her an
gnish and terror haunts me yet.
SparroWs Attack and Put to Flight a