Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-04-01
An Arkansas Bride Shot Dead by
n Former Lover.

A tragical story comes from Stone County,
where the principal parties involved are well
known john Hart is a wealthy planter, and
the owner of several large estates on White
River which yield very large revenue.
He lives in magnificent house and dispenses
an elegant and lavish hospitality to friend and
stranger alike. His family consisted Of
wife and one daughter, whose personal attrac-
tions were such that she came to be known
through all parts Of the country as pretty
Molly Hart" Now, when girl is not only
pretty but rich, she is sure to have many ad-
mrers Miss Hart was no exception to the
rule. Her admirers were so numerous and
enthusiastic that by them she.was set upon
the throne of pre-eminence, and crowned the
queen of four counties" She had clear,
large blue eyes, and sunny, ripping hair !;
features that would have served as IA model
for Cauova, and form to vie with the Med-
cean Venus Besides these attractions of
person she had a way which won and ruled
all hearts. People called her a coquctte and
a firt; but the accusation probably came
from less favored rivals. At all events,
there is nothing in the sad history of the
closing months of her life to give color to the
charge.
Among her neighbors and admirers was a
young man named Philip Lee. But Lee was
IA worshipper and a sutton well as an adj
mirer. He loved the girl desperately. He
was wealthy, well born, well educated, pop
ular among his friends and acquintances, and
gifted. it was thought. with many noble quail
tiles. lie courted Mary Hart with all the
ardor OF poetic and chvalrous nature. He
was troubadour. a knight Grant and poet
all in one. He ran tits in her name mt the
local tournaments, sang chansons beneath
her windows and composed sonnets in her
honor. He could not touch the heart which
was given to another. Mary had many other
suitors; and among them all she chose rich
Young planter named Silas MAXWELL This
Young gentleman was also well born, well
educated and popular. To him Mary prom
ised her heart and her hand.
The decision fell with stunning force on
Philip Lee. He resolved to seek an inter
view with the girl in the hope, it is to be pre-
sumed, of trying what persuasion and protes-
taeien might effect to cause a revocation OF
her choice. He found her at the village ho-
tel in company with some girl friends with
whom she was discussing the details of her
wedding trousseau. He invited her to walk
with him to the river bank, as he wished to
speak to her alone. After some hesitation
she consented.
1t was a beautiful afternoon toward the end
of last November--a warm and pleasant day.
Flowers still hloomed along the roadside. and
Mary stopped to gather them as she passed.
Lee for some time was silent and constrained.
Finally he abruptly asked her if she really
intended to marry Shas MAXWELL Yes
she replied. Then Lee besought her to re-
woke her resolution; to remember how devot-
edly he had loved her, how deeply. how truly.
how passionately; how he lived for her alone.
aud for her would willingly die.
The girl was moved to pity; but. although
she would always cherish a warm friendship
for him. she could not break her word. or re-
nouuce the man whom her heart had chosen.
and to whom her hand was pledged Then.
as if to show the contrast between words and
deeds, Lee drew a revolver and aimed it at
her. eSclaiming:
81 will Kill you; you ought to die"
With death looking at her from the muzzle
of that mur'ierous weapon. the girl did not
finch. She grasped the pistol and succeeded
in turning away its aim.
In the terrible struggle two barrels were
discharged. Suddenly Lee broke into a loud
laugh.
.'Why, Mary" he exclaimed, 'sdid YOU
think was in earnest? Do you really sup
pose that | would harm a hair of the beauti-
full head of the woman whom loveg Can't
Won see that this was only joker
Glad of this respite from what had looked
like sudden death. the girl released her hold
Of the pistol. Lee put the weapon in his
pocket. and he went has way; but as he went
he turned back andpronouncedt these ominous
words:
'.You shall never live as the wife of an
other
II was the last time that Mary Hart ever
saw the face of Philip Lee. Three week.
later the marriage took place with pomp and
circumstance. In the midst of her happiness
Mary Hart had forgotten her terrible strur-
gle BY the river bank and the warning words
of her rejected sutton. Eight DAYS after the
wedding she was found in her room-mur.
!ered. A shot had been fred through the
window and had passed through her brain.
Suspicion fell on Philip Lee. He was
arrested. AT first he denied the crime. Then
he made rambling confession. which his
lawyers have tried to assimilate to the raw
ings of lunatic. He was tried once. and
the jury did not agree. The second trial is
now going on. and insanity is the defense.