The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1878-09-12
Loves Sacrifice.


memory connected with my career as
detective
In one Of the fashionable millinery
establishments Of that city was young
girl named Mary Elliston. She was
very young, but with a character formed
bv the sad experience which is sure to
be met with in the life OF an orphan.
She had clear, beautiful gray eyes,
cheeks soft and delicate rs the Leaf Of
the rose; brown curly hair shaded low,
broad forehead, instinct with intellect
and Intelligence. She was small in fig
IRE, but the petite form was faultless in
its exquisite delicacy Of outline and con-
tour. It was impossible not to love her,
if to such physical beauty IS added
the generous and kind heart size really
possessed.
It was not surprising that such girl
had many admirers. 1t would be strange
if she had not But there We're two who,
from their devotion and her treatment,
acquired a prominence over the rest.
Indeed, the sphere they moved in was
far above that Of the little milliner. She
believed they loved her; and notwith-
standing the great difference III their
social position, believed they meant
kindly. That they loved is certain
They were Jealous; and more than once
hostile meeting was imminent 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 passed
along the river side Of the square, she
was met hy Husband Lacour, the richest
and most perseyering Of her admirers,
but the one whom she favored the least
indeed, it was said she disliked him,
and on one occasion had resented bitter
" an insult he had offered her. a pass
crby heard her voice raised Indignantly
as she passed him in front of the iron
gate. Standing there a moment, she
entered the square, from which, half
hour afterward, she was seen to hurry
away, with every sign of distress and
intense 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 men,
toned.
This was all.
OF course almost every one believed
her to DC the assassin. | could not. |
had seen too much of criminal life to
mistake its characteristics. That girl
was innocent, l 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 10 the most excessive
paroxysms OF grief and distress. After
she was taken to the station Mr. T.. and
myself visited her to see if we could
learn anything OF the case.
We felt more like friends than detec-
tiycs,. The SAD orphanage of the young
girl enlisted our deepest sympathy and
touched cnl hearts-they would have
been tiinty, indeed had they not soften
ed at her distress. l 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 herself
at my feet. and lifting her face so pale
and beautiful, walled out:
Il am innocent. sir-I am Innocent
Il believe you are, Mary; and it was
10 help you that We came here.
II could not 10 such a deed, sir; in
deed | could not"
Il know that; but, Mary, 90 you
know who did"
She lifted her face quickly, aud wild,a
frightened expression crossed it, and
then 1t grew like marble in instant. She
did not reply; but l never saw one in
whom hope seemed so suddenly and ut
teriy to have fed as that girl then. l
repeated my question;
do you know who did, Nary"
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 70 justice. She could help US
in this. But She still shook her head.
MARY, Paul NilIiel is the mani"
She sprang to her feet and screamed
out rather than spoke her denial.
No, no, no, not him; it was |, it was
|. did it, I'll acknowledge it now
punish me if you will, but do not accuse
him-do not let him be arrested"
1t was plain 10 me now. Ny first i'm
preston was correct. Young Nillel had
come upon his rival talking with Mary
in the square, ana under the first i'm
pulse of resentment had slain him. Her
confession Of the fact was only lacking
10 secure her acquittal but she would
not confess, and from that hour acknow-
lodged her guilt A few days after
young Yilliel fed the country, and in
time his family furnished evidence that
released the girl. Shh, 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. ] |
shall never forget the scene 1 witnessed /
in her cell. The desolate woman strug- /
Cling with her anguish and terror Lauuts /
my memory yet.