The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1881-03-24


Half an hour after the evening meal
was over Mrs. Schwinke was suddenly
taken violently ill with all the symptoms
of poisoning. Sellers had stepped out
ten minutes previously to purchase a
weekly periodical and had not yet re-
turned. and Varnoe fastened to summon
medical aid.
The lady was IN violent pain when the
doctor reached Der side, and after feeling
her pulse and examining her tongue, he
pronounced the opinion that she had
taken arsenic.
He at once applied the stomach pump,
which relieved her considerably and
after administering soft liquids, he relieved
her of all pain, and under the balmy
effects of gentle opiate she fell into
calm slumber.
Varnoe went to look after Nina, and
found her sitting at the kitchen window.
quite unconcerned, barely looking
around at the sound of footsteps.
"Miss FRANKIE" spoke the detective.
She turned her head without respond
ing, and gazed vacantly at the intruder.
"Your mistress was not killed by the
dose you gave her." said the detective,
calmly.
The color forsook her face, and she re-
manned silent.
"Why did You attempt her life?' asked
he, approaching nearer.
She sprang to her feet then, and boldly
demanded who accused her of the crime.
II dol"
"You!' cried she, disdainfully, land
who are you?"
II am detective officer, come to ar
rest you for attempted murder"
A low cry escaped her, and turning
her back on her accuser, she buried her
face in her hands and resumed her seat
at the window.
Varnoe regarded her with commisera-
alton for few minutes, then said
Come my poor girl, confess your
fault; it will be the better for you NTH
end"
Still no reply.
He raised her head and saw her eyes
we're closed; ut the same time the odor
of bitter almonds assailed his nostrils.
Gently laying her head on the window
sill. he sprang up stairs and apprised the
doctor of the probable tragedy that had
been quietly enacted in the kitchen.
The doctor was somewhat startled at
this information, and also seemeda little
bewildered at the new case which was
mentioned to him. Leaving Mr.Schwinke
who was now quietly sleeping to the care
of nurse, he quickly followed Varnoe
to the kitten.
The girl was still reclining with her
head on the wlndow-sill, quiet ana mo-
tionless. The doctor quickly reached
her side, and taking her hand in his he
placed his fingers on her wrist. There
was no pulsation.
Then quietly taking her face in his
hands, he turned it upward, and gazed
earnestly and searchingly ut her rigid
| features.
When the medical gentleman looked
at the girls face he shook his head and
said:
'She is past all aid. Prussic acid
is too deadly drug for any known anti
dote."
The tiny vial in her clenched hand
told the sad tale Rather than endure
the disgrace of trial at court and sub.
seauent conviction and punishment, she
chose to end her wretched existence.
Mrs. Schwinke was kept in Ignorance
of the sad fate of her servant, until she
herself was quite restored from the eff
fects of the deadly drug administered by
q Jealous rival. She was filled with re-
morse when the truth was revealed to
her.
Poor Nina! Poor girl!' moaned she,
in heart-rending accents. Il hope the
good God will forgive me for being so
angry with her."
Poor Mrs. Schwinke acted generously
in regard to the burial of the friendless
suicide. She became responsible for all
the expenses, and had her decently
inferred.
Sellers was nearly frantic when told on
his return to the house that his landlady
had been poisoned, and might possibly
die of the effects.
"Oh, no! oh, no" exclaimed he, as he
hastened to the parlor, where she lay on
the sofa writhing in pain. He sprang to
her side, and falling on his knees beside
her, he rapturously kissed her pale
cheeks and called her his dear Bertha.
."Oh, who has done this wicked deedP'
exclaimed he, in anguished tones.
"Say you did not poison me, whisper
cd she, with painful effort, while she
regarded his face with beaming eyes.
II poison you" he cried, in unfeigned
horror. "Oh, how can You ask such
question, when I would willingly give
my own life to save yours
She smiled and closed her eyes, while
her frame was racked with pain. But