Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1882-05-05
MisEellamfaMs.
A DETECTIVES STORY.

There is low ruined cottage on st
Anthony street, New Orleans, where 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 decayng walls are damp
and mouldy. Only one room is inhabit-
able, and that shelters an old woman,
gray and decrepit. Sitting on a low
stool she murmurs lullaby--an old
time song. Age has deprived her OF
reason, but the sorrow of a tragedy en-
acted is yet fresh a. her heart.
Thirty years ago she was beautiful
The olive cheeks were radiant and tho
glorious eyes flashed the triumphs Of a
belle. Tall and slender, exquisitely
formed, with rich Andalusian type Of
beauty, it is no wonder that she reigned
regally over many hearts. At that time
no society in the world was moro bril-
liant 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
regnant of such society involved more
than physical lovcliness, and Blanco
CASTILLO had all the graces that intellect
bestows.
None knew then that she was mar
ried. A young clerk of the fathers
had gained her heart aud hand In
this cottage her son was born--here,
where she stole away from the bewilder-
ments Of fashion, she enjoyed the society
of the man whose love she had ventured
so much 10 win. Wedding him in Sc
cret, she had contrivcd to deceive her
parents and friends
There were few things the father
would not have pardoned in his child
but not this. He was wont TO boast
that kingly blood was in his veins
that his ancestry had fought under the
standard Of Arragon. How could he
accept a plebiaD son-in-law =? Months
went by and the mask was persevered
in. But jealous rival discovered the
deception II! last And one night the
young husband fell dead from a shot
fred by concealed assassin. The bull
let that pierced his heart destroyed the
life Of the child he held in his arms.
Who did il?
Mr. K aud myself had the working
up Of the case. The city was wild ovel
the tragedy. The unhappy wife, mad
with grief, had not hesitated TO avov
Der marriage. 1t produced an excite.
ment in society rarely, il ever, seen be
fore.
But who was the murderer +?
This was the question upon every
tongue. II 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
we're able to lay our hands upon the man
But, il the deed in itself was horrifying
the culprit, when known, occasioncd a
thrill Of indignant sympathy for the I'M
fortunate wife felt by ALL Before ar
resting him, however. we deemed il adj.
visable TO consult the lady. For this
purpose Mr. X and myself visited her
She was still at the cottage, never hav-
ing left it since the night Of the murder
When shown into the room my heart
turned sick as | contemplated the raw
ages a few short months had made.
The form was bowed aud bent--tho
beauty which had been the toast Of bril-.
liant society had fed. Before US stood
lady whom grief had all but wrecked.
MADAM, we have como to consult
you 10 reference TO the murder Of your
husband p
"You have found him, then ?" she
eagerly inquired.
Eyes"