Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1878-08-28
LOVES SACRIFICE.

San Francisco Golden Era.

1t was in the last act of my mission as
q detective before leaving New Orleans
tor San Francisco in the spring of 1919
and L may add that it is the saddest
memory connected with nv career as q
detective
in one of the fashionable millinery
establishments of that city was young
girl named Mary Elliston. She was
very young, but with character form
Ell 10y 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 as the leaf of
the rose; brown curly hair shaded low,
broad, forehead, instinct with intellect
and intelligence. She was small in 6g-
ure, but the petite form was faultless in
It's exquisite delicacy of outline and con
tour. 1t was impossible not to love her.
If to such physical beauty is added the
generous and kind heart she really pos
sessed.
Its 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 treatm ent
acquired prominence over the rest.
Indeed, the sphere they moved in was
Tar above that Of the little milliner. She
belleved they loved her; and notwith-
standing the great difference in their So
clal position, believed they meant kind
ly. That they loved is certain. They
were jealous: and more than once a
hostile meeting was imminent between
them. -
Her way home from the store led bv
jackson square. 1t was not as beauti
full 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 Husband Lacour. the
richest and most persevering Of her adj
mlrerS, 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.
passer-by heard her voice raised indig-
nantly as she passed him that evening
IN front OF the iron gate. Standing there
moment, she entered the square,
| from which a half hour afterward
she was seen to hurry away with every
| sign Of distress and intense excite
! ment. .....- ....
1t was but few minutes after this that
! young LacOur was found murdered, w.
ing on the iron bench with short Span
lsh dagger through his heart. The girl
had been known to possess such q
weapon-the gift Of one she never
named.
This was ALL
OF course almost every one believed
her to be the assassin. | could not. I
had seen too much of criminal life to
mistake It's characteristics. That girl
was innocent [ knew. When arrested
she protested her innocence in language
frantictand 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.. J.. and
myself visited her, to see if we could
learn anything Of the case.
We felt more like friends than detec-
tives. The sad orphanage of the young
girl enlisted our deepest sympathy and
touched our. hearts-they would have
been tlinty: indeed, had they not soften
ed 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 herself
at my feet, and, lifting her face, so pale
and beautiful walled out:
q am innocent, sir-I am inno-
cent" .....- ..<,. s........s.
Il believe you are, Mary; and it
was to help you that we came here"
81 could, not do such a deed, sir; in
| deed | could not .,...
know that; but, Mary, do you
know who did?' .f -" atf ..'.
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 so suddenly and
.utterl y to have fled as that girl them l
repeated my question: 2%1a " .a,,ag..
"Do, you know who did, Mary?"
I She shook her head and remained 81
lent I3told her that we We're satisfied
that she was innocent, but to establish
this it was necessary to bring the real
criminal to justice. She could help
us III this But she still shook, her
head -
III. i" Mary, Paul Villiel is the man.'' y IA
She sprang to her feet and screamed
out rather than spoke her denial. ,f..,.
Ono, no, no, not him; it was /, it was
[: I did it! Pr acknowledge it now.
punish me if youswili, - butt do not ac7
cuse him---do not let him be arrested
1t was plain to me now. My first i'm
preston was correct. Young .Nilliel
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 fled 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: i The fright and horror Of the ter
ribletcrim laid to her, charge finally
killed her. . 1 shall never forget the