The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1882-04-22
4 W0MAN'S CURSE.

One night an old citizen, respected
and honored in the community, was
murdered. For weeks Mr. l., my pal,
any myself, had been working up the
case. A clew was no sooner found
than lost. There was world of mvs-
terry about it, which our experience
and skill were unable to unravel. |
had almost despaired of ever being
able to detect the criminal, when one
night we were visited at the office by
a young girl, who demanded a private
interview, and startled us by the an
nouncement that she knew the muir
derer of Mr.. H.
I say the announcement startled US.
How else could such intelligence have
been received, coming from the lips of
a young beautiful girl? She could
not have been over 15-slender and
petite i'll form, but nodded to an exqui-
site symmetry. Long tresses of golden
hair hung about her waist, and the
dark eyes burned beneath the black
lashes with passionate gleam that
made one shudder. The clear olive
tint Of her complexion told of the
Spanish blood that fired her veins.
Such a creature as would make a youth
go wild with passion was this beautiful
Spanish girl.
She announced her purpose in a
quiet, stern utterance, that told of pas
sionate resentment. It did not require
my experience. to detect that anger
and jealously were tke controlling in
centives to this disclosure.
"Gou say YOU know the murderer of
Mr.. II. ?" / inquired.
Il do"
"And you VIII tell us who he is
guide US to MIN, or reveal his hiding
place ?"
"All this | Will tell YOU, and more
| will furnish the proof necessary to his
conviction, put you in possession of
every fact necessary to be known, on
one condition.
and that is
'That YOU will allow me an hours
interview with him after his arrest"
your purpose in this ?"
'Is my affair alone, and does not
concern you to know. Do you con-
sent?o
eyes !"
"Then follow me y
She turned quickly and left the
room, closely followed by Mr. l. and
myself. 1t was late at night, but she
traversed the streets with a quickness
and accuracy Of movement that show
ed her perfect acquaintance with every
turning of the intricate thoroughfares.
Far down into labyrinth of streets
she led the way, never pausing, never
hesitating, until she reached low, old
fashioned building, running far back
into a square and losing itself in a
wilderness of houses that rose all
around it.
Here she paused, and, facing us
with every trace of color gone from
her countenance, she spoke with low,
rapid utterance that bespoke feelings
profoundly excited but sternly repres-
sed:
II am about to do that which will
consign me to misery and the man |
love to death. The reason for all this
will be developed after the arsest you
are now to make. In this house the
criminal is concealed. When [ enter,
follow me speak not word say
naught to any one you may see ;
surprised at nothing that you may
hear, but do your mission"
| could not tell you why, but all
the time the girl was speaking shud-
dering | could not subdue ran through
my frame, | felt as if | stood in the
presence of a demon instead of a young
and beautiful woman.
We promised compliance with her
instructions, and taking a KEY from
her pocket she opened the door. II
admitted us into a low, arched hall
way, from the far end of which light
cleaned through the key-hole. Step
ping lightly, we followed her closely