The Penn's Grove record., 1882-03-25
ATragedy.


$3.50
the rickety doors hang by broken
hinges. Dust and g have hid the
floor from sight, and the decaying
walls are damp and mouldy. Only
one room is inhabitable, and that
shelters an old woman, gray and de-
crepit. Sitting or a low stool she
murmurs a lullaby-an old.time song.
Age has deprived her of reason, but
the sorrow of q tragedy wrought is yet
fresh ut her heart.
Thirty years ago she was beautiful.
The olive cheeks were radiant and
the glorious eyes flashed the triumph
of o belle. Tall and slender, exquis.
itely formed, with q rich Andalusian
type of beauty, 1t is no wonder that
she reigned regally owe many hearts.
At that time no society in the world
was more brilliant than ours. Wealth
and hospitality went hsnd-in-bapd,
and the most refined and elegant in
the land did homage to the beauty Of
New Orleans. To be star regnant of
such society involved more than
physical loveIiness, and Blanco Cas-
tello had all the graces that intellect
bestows.
None knew then she was married.
A young clerk of the fathers had
gained her heart and hand. In this
cottage her infant son was born-here,
when she stole away from the bewild-
erments of fashion, she enjoyed the
society Of the man whose love she had
ventured so much to win. Wedding
him in secret, she had oontrived to
deceive her parents aud friends.
There were few things the father
would not have pardoned in his child,
but not this. He was won't to boast
that kingly blood was in his veins;
that his ancestry had fought under
the standard o fArragon. How could he
accept a plebian son in-lsw? Months
went by and the mask was ~persevered
in. But q Jealous rival discovered the
deception at last. And one night the
young husband fell dead from the
shot fred by a concealed assassin. The
bullet that pierced his heart destroyed
the life of the child he held in his
arms.
Who did 1t?
MI. I-snd my self had the work
ing up of the case. The city was wild
over the tradegy. The unhappy wife,
mad with grief, had not hesitated to
avow her marriage. 1t produced an
excitement In society rarely, if ever,
seen before.
But who was the murderer
This was the question upon every
tongue. 1t was for US to discover.
Months went by In incessaHt search.
Here and there q link in the chain Of
evidence was picked up until at last
we were able to lay our hands upon
the man. But, If the deed in Itself vas
horrifying, the culprit, when known,
occasioned a thrill Of indignant snpa-
thy for the unfortunate wife felt by all.
Before arreeting him, however, we
deemed it advisable to consult tine
lady. For this purpose Mr.. 1. and
myself visited her She was still at
the cottage, never having left it since
the night of the murder. When
shown into the room my heart turned
sick as i contemplated the ravages a
few short months had made. The
form was bowed and bent-the teauty
which had been the toast of brilliant
society had fed. Before us stood a
lady whom grief had all but wrecked
Madam, we have come to consul,
you in reference TO the murder of your
husband.n
"You have found him, them" she
eagerly inquired.
"Yes.n
And me is"
could not help the sad look that
came into my face. How could l in
fict on a heart so worn and weary
additional sorrowY
"You do not tell me-" she said, with
an intonaisn of voice so exquisitely
sad that it went to my heart.
II must tell you, madam, deeply as
/ grieve 70 do so, but you must pre-
pare yourself for a great shock" I re-
joined.
What other calamity can befall
mt ?"
Perhaps o greater one than you
have yet encountered. I fear you
will esteem 1t such"
Speak, who is it?"
"Your father"
my father ?-oh, no, not he! say 1t
was not heH" and her rms stretched
out to me so appeAlingiy, the white
lips and aneuished eyes were SO be-
seeching, that / felt that l would
rather die than face such an ordeal
again.
my father ?"
Eyes, madam the chain of circum
stantial evidence leaves nc o for
doubt. He did the deed"
1t seemed az II this last sorrow had
broken her heart. She stood up before
me, every trace of color fed from face,
with unutterable anguish in look and
gesture.
Leave him alone with God!" and
fell fainting to the floor.
No. AL-k - tIta II haxva paxor
seen her. She holds no intercourse
with any one. All else save a faithful
servant is banished from the house.
From her / learn what / repeat to you.
Her reason has no doubt fed, and she
sits by the freless hearth nursing her
sorrow alone with her wretched MEM
cries.