The Osceola times., 1882-04-01
TRAGIC MEMORIES.
4 Once Beautiful Crescent City Belle In
sane with Wrstched Memories.

\ Once beautiful CRESCENT City belle In
sane with wrstched Memories.
BY Detective.
There is low ruined cottage on
st. Anthony street, New Orleans, where
the moss grows over the roofing, and tie
rickety doors hang by broken hinges
Dust and sge have hid the floor from
sight, and the decaying walls are damp
and nouldy. Only one room is habita-
BILE, and that shelters an old woman,
gray and decrepit. Sitting on a low
stool she murmurs a lullaby-an old
time song. Age has deprived her Of
reason, but the sorrow Of tragedy
wrong z is yet fresh in her heart
Thirty years ago she was beautiful.
The olive cheeks were radiant, and the
glorious eyes flashed the triumph of a
bell. Tall and slender, exquisitely
formed, with a rich Andalusion type OF
beauty, il is no wonder that she regned
regally over many hearts. At that time
no society in the world was more bril-
liant than ours. Wealth and hospitality
went hand in hand, and the most re-
fined and elegant in the land did not
hesitate to do homage to the beauty of
NEW OIltdllb. ~ DC btdI ICkdht VI but-'
society involved more than physical
loveliness, and Blanco Castello had all
the graces that intellect bestows.
None knew then she was married. A
young clerk Of the iather's had gai
her heart and hand. In this cottage her
infant son was born-here, when she
stole away from the bewilderments OF
fashion, she enjoyed the society of the
man whose love she had ventured 30
much to win Wedding him in secret
she had contrived to deceive her par
ents and friends.
There were very few things the father
would not have pardoned in his child,
but not this. He was wont to boas.
that kingly blood was in his veins; that
his ancestry had fought under the
standard of Aragon. How could he &C.
cept a pleban son-in-lawp Months
went by and the mask was persevered
in. But jealous rival discovered the
deception at last And one night the
young man fell dead from a shot fired by
a concealed assassin. The bullet that
pierced his heart destroyed the life Of
the child he held in his arms.
Who did il?
Mr. 4. anu Iuyetli ildu tuc WoIhiuk " v
Of the case. The city was wild over the
tragedy. The unhappy wife, mad with
grief, had not hesitated to avow her
marriage. ltproduced an excitement in
society rarely If ever seen before.
But who was the murderer?
This was the question on every
tongue. 1t was for us to discover.
Months went by in incessant search.
Here aud there a link in the chain Of
evidence was picked up until at last We
were able to lay our hands on the man.
But il the deed itself was horrifyipg,
the culprit, when known, occasioned 3
thrill of indignant sympathy for the un.
fortunate, felt by all. Before arresting
him, however, We deemed il advisable TO
consult the lady. For this purpose Mr..
l. and myself visited her. She was at
the cottage, never having left it since the
night of the murder. When shown into
the room my heart turned sick as / con-
templated the ravages few short
months had made. The form was bowed
and bent--the beauty which had been
the toast Of brilliant society had fled.
Before us stood lady whom grief had
all but wrecked.
Madam, we have come TO consult you
in reference to the murderer Of your
husband"
"You have found him, them" she
eagerly inquired.
"Yes."
"And he is -"
/ could not help the sad look that
came into my face. How could inhict
on heart 30 worn and weary additional
sossowf
"You do not tell me-" she said. with
an intonation Of voice 20 exquisitely sad
that it went to my heart.
81 must tell you, madam, deeply as
grieve to do 30; but you must prepare
yourself for great shock" | rejoined.
What other calamity can befall meY"
PERHAPS q greater one than you have
yet encountered. l fear you will esteem
1t such"
"Speakl who is it,"
"Your fatherw
"My father! Oh, no, no, not he say it
was not hew and her arms stretched out
to me appealingly, the white lips and
apguished eyes were so beseeching, that
l felt that would rather die than face
such an ordeal again.
MY father"
"Yes, madam; the chain of circum-
stsntial evidence leaves no room for
doubt. He did the deed"
1t seemed 40 if this last sorrow had
broken her heart. She stood up before
me, every trace Of color fed from her
face, with unutterable anguish in face
and gestures,
leave him alone with God" she said
and fell fainting to the floor.
From that hour TO this | have never
seen her. She holds no intercourse with
any one. All else save faithful servant
is banished from the house. From her
l learn what repeat TO you. Her rea-
son has no doubt fled and she sits by the
freless hearth nnrsinp her sorrnM alma