The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1880-04-29
Love'A Sacrifice.

1t was my last act OF my mission as a
detective before leaving New Orleans for
San Francisco in the Spring of ls49; and
l may add that 1t Is the saddest memory
connected with my career as a detective.
In one of the fashionable millinery estab-
lishmcnts Of that city was young glrl
named Nary Elliston. She was very
young but with character formed by tho
sad experience which Is sure to be met with
in the life of an orphan. She had clear,
beautiful gray eyes, checks soft and deli
cate as the leaf Of the roses; brown curly
hair shaded a low, broad forehead, instinct
with intellect and intelligence. She was
small IN figure, but the petite form was
faultlcss in its exquisite deicacy of outline
and contour. 1t was impossible not to
love her, If to snch physical beauty 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 wcro
two, who, from their devotion and her
treatment, acquired n prominence over the
rest Indeed the sphere they moved in
was far above that Of the little millncr.
She believed they loved her and, not
withstanding the great difference in 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 Jack
son square. 1t was not as beautiful then
rs now, but It's rich foliage and elegant
bowers, even at that day, excited admira
ton. One evening as she passed alcng tho
river side OF The square she was met by
Luisand Lacour, the richest and most per
scvering OF her admirers, but the one whom
she favored least. Indeed, it was said she
| dlsliked him. and on one occasion had re-
Scnlcd bitterly an insult he had offered her.
! n pasSer-by heard her voice raise lndig-
| nantly rs she passed him that evening in
| front OF the iron gate. Standing there a
| moment she entered the square from
which half hour aftcrward she was seen
10 hurry away with every sign of distress
and intense excitement. 1t was but a few
minutes after this that young Lacor was
found murdered, lying on tie iron bench
with short Spanish dagger through his
heart. The gi:! bad been known to pos
scss such a wcapon--thc gift OF one she
never named. This was all.
or course almost every one believed her
to be the assassin. l 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 forgctful, seemingly
OF look and action, and she gave way to the
most excessive paroXysms of grief and dis
| trcss. After she was taken to the station
MIR. l.. and myself visited her, to see if we
could learn anything Of the case We felt
more like friends than detectives The sad
orphanage of the young girl enlisted our
| 1pnnpSt QVnnothv 0nl fOi,r
they would have been tlinty, indeed, had
they not softencd at her distress l never
saw such anguish before. Tho pale, beau
tltul face was almost wild with terror
She was frantic one moment, and sobbing
walking and terror stricken the next. As
wc entered the cell she threw herself ut my
feet, and, lifting her face, so pale and
| beautiful, walled out -
- am innocent, SRI am Innocent. "
:" believe you are, Mary and it was to
| help you that we came here "
81 could not do such deed, sir; In
deed could not.
~ know that; but, Mary, do you know
who did2"
She lifted her face quickly, and a wild,
frightened expression crossed il, and then
| it grew like marble in al instant. She did
not reply, but l never saw one In whom
hope seemed SO suddenly and utterly to
have fled as that girl then. repeated my
question:
Do you know who did, Mary?"
She shook her head and remained silent.
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 IN this. But she
still shook her head.
Mary, Paul Willie is the mani"
She spIang 10 her feet and screamed out
rather than spoke her denial:
"No, no, no, not him; it was |, 1t was
l.. l did it! III acknowledge it now
punish me if you will, but do not accuse
him--do not let him be arrested "
1t was plain to me now. My first i'm
preston was correct Young Willie had
come upon his rival talking with Mary in
the square, and under first impulse of re-
sentiment 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 I
A few days after young Willie left 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. Tho fright and horror OF the terrible
crime laid to her charge finally killed her
| shall never forget the scene I witnessed
in her cell. The dcsolatc woman strug-
Cling with her anguish and terror ha,lnls
my memory still.