Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1882-05-13
alA DETECTIVES STORY.

| the moss grows over the roofing, and
the rickety doors hang by broken
hinges. Dust and age 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 on low stool she
murmuls lullaby--an oId-time song.
Age has deprived her of reason, but
the sorrow of a tragedy enacted is
yet fresh at her heart. Thirty years
ago she was beautiful. The olive
cheeks were radiant and the glorious
eyes flashed the triumphs of a belle.
Tall and slender, eyquisitely formed,
with rich Andalusian type Of beau
ty, it is no wonder that she reigned
regally over many hearts. At that
time no society in the world was
more brilliant than ours. Wealth
and hospitality went hand-in-hand,
and the most refined and elegant in
the land did homage to the beauty OF
New Orleans. To be star regnan5 Of
such society involved more than ply
steal loveliness, and Bianco CASTILLO
had all the graces that intellect
bestows.
None knew then that she was mar
risd. A young clerk of her fathers
had gained her heart and hand. In
this cottage her son was born-hero,
where che stole away from the be-
wilderments of fashion, che enjoyed
the society of the man whose love che
had ventured to win. Wedding him
in secret, che had conirived to deceive
her parents and friends.
There were few things tle father
would not have pardoued in his child,
but not this. He was wont to Eoast
that kingly blood was in his veins
that his ancestry had fought under
the standard OF Arragon. How could
he accept plebian eon-in' law?
Months went by AID the mask was
persevered in. But a Jealous rival
dis overed the deception at last. And
one night the young husband fell
dead from shot fired by concealed
assassin. The bullet that pierced his
heart destroyed the life OF the child
he held in his arms.
Who did it?
Mr.. K and myself had the
working up of tho case. The city was
wild over the tragedy. The unhappy
wife, mad with grief, had not hesi-
tated to avow her marriage. 1t pro-
ducea an excitement in society rarely,
if ever, aeen before.
But who was the murderer
This was the question upon every
tongue. 1t was for us to discover.
Months went by In incessant search.
Here and there link in the chain Of
evidence was picked up until at last
we were able to lay cur hands upon
the man. Bat, if tho deed in itself
vas horrifying, the culprit, when
known, occasioned thrill of indig-
nant SYM athy for the unfortunate
wife felt by ell. Before arresting
him, however, we deemed it advisable
to consult the lady. For this Iur-
pose Mr.. K 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 ] contem-
plated the rayages few short months
had made. The form was bowed and
bent--the beauty which had Teen the
toast Of brilliant society had fed Be-
fore us stood a lady whom grief had
all but wrecked.
Madam, we have come TO consult
you in reference to the murder your
h 81 and
"You have found him, then ?" she
eagerly inquired.
eyes"
"And he is--"
I could not help the sad look ilat
came into my faos. How could in
lct on a heart 50 worn and weary an
additional sorrow.
"You DO not tell ne. she said, with
an intouat.or OF voice so exquis:tcly
sad that it went to my heart.
81 mu4t tell you, madam, deeply as
Lrieyo to do 20, but You must pre-
pare yourself for great shock" !
rejoined.
"What other calamity can beiall
me ?"
Perhaps greater one than you