River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1883-03-29
THE TWO PONIARDs.
The Romance of High Russian and
His Italian Wife.

his 1tdilan w lie.
Some time previous TO the Franco
Prussian war the Avenue Viliers,
Paris. was growing up amid the waste
lands of the old field of Monceau. This
thoroughfare, which was the home OF
some Of the most noted of the demi-
monde, was on the night of Jan. 5, 1870,
the theatre of one of one of the most
startling tragedies that the journals OF
the French capital ever recorded. Sit
uated at the corner of the Avenue VII
liers and Rue Cardinet was magnificent
hotel built for a wealthy Englishman,
and given up by him when he was sum
moned to the East Indies on matters APP
pertaining to government duties.
About the 18th of December previous
there came to Paris Russian of fabu
lous wealth. He, accompanied by his
bewitehing wife, occupied the hotel that
the Englishman had aban toned, khayipg
had it fitted up in truly royal magnif
eence.
To the neighbors in the immediate
vicinity this couple seemed to be on the
best OF terms and to live together ike
two turtel-doves. although apparently
exactly opposite in nature and tempra-
mtnt. He from the eternal and desolate
winter of Russia, while she, fully thirty
years his junior, was from the sunny and
balmy climes Of Italy.
The Russian gentleman was very eccen-
trio and mysterious in his manners and
movements. Some said he was a spy
from the Russian Government. His wife
was never seen IN pubic with him ex-
cept on one or two first nights at the
theatre.
However, things went on smoothly
with NJ. Ivan Verefkin aud madame
until the fatal night Of Jan. 3.
At about II O'Clock on the above men,
trolling that section OF the city, when
about 300 feet from the residence Uf NJ.
Verefkin, he noticed a black object lying
on the sidewalk. As he drew nearer he
saw that the object was the form ofa
man lying on his face. As he was about
to turn the form over in order to obtain
q glimpse of the unfortunate victims
face. he starte back with suppressed
cry. Still imoeddcd in the mans back
was q glistening poniard. From the
wound few drops of ntOOd trlCkled.
The richness OF the unfortunate mans
attire inspired the rough officer with
considerable respect.
This is the work Of some cOwardly
assassin, he muttered as lac turned the
body and looked at the face. The nose
was slightly bruised, as the victim must
have fallen on his face on the hard pave
ment.
Procuring assistance, the unfortunate
man was carried to the prefecture, and
there an investigation was made. Moth
ing could at first be earned either to es-
tablsh the identity OF the man, or to OBJ
tain clue to the perpetrators of the
crime. As the cOmmissary was unable
to proceed further unaded, he sent tor
VilmOnt, one of his most trusted detec-
tives. 1t was not long ere that sleepless
individual put in an appearance. As he
entered tine apartment where the COM
missary and his clerk were discussing
with serious faces the details of the muir
der, he had the appearance OF a man
who bad casually dropped in to say
"Good morning" and then discuss the
probabilities of the weather.
Monsieur lie commissary has sent for
me-" he sail.
eyes, Vilmont. a crime has been
committed, and we are all at sea, both
as to who the unfortunate man is, and,
naturally, who are he guilty parties?"
"Ahl wen see" answered VIlmont, as
he approached the body. Then with a
slight start, he exclaimed:
GAS ! live il is Monsieur Verefkinw
Vilmont stroklng his beardless chin,
"Can it be as l thought? Monsieur
was indeed then a spy, and has thus
been disposed of. Well, it is perhaps as
WELL" Then aloud to the Commissary:
monsieur, this is the body of Monsieur
Ivan Verefkin, wealthy Russian gentle
man, who lived in the Avenue Villiers,
at the corner Of the Rue Cardinet. What
blow this will be to madame, his wife,"
hn
'perhaps you had better go and fetch
madame, that we may lose no time
hunting up the criminals"
"It is now five o'clock. 1t is perhaps
an unseemly hour to arouse n lady, but
she no doubt will be up nervous about
her husbands welfare"
Vilmont departed, and taking Eacre,
arrived at the mansion. light was
still burning in the vestibule, and the
apartments on the floor above were
ablaze with light Vilmont rang, and
the door was almost Immediately opened
by sombre-lOoking porter. Before the
detective had time to ask for madame Il
rustling of a dress was heard, and Mime.
Verefkin appeared and in great excite
ment asked:
"Oh, monsieur, do you come from
monsieur my husband? He is safe?
Nothing has befallen him? Speak
speak, pray you"
Greatly moved at the anxiety of the
lady, Vilmont could hardly speak. Then,
with considerable effort, he said:
Madame, do not bring good news
Your husband has met with great mis-
fortune. He is-he is-dead-mur
deredp'
"Deadl" she echoed, catching at the
balustrade for support. "Oh, who has
killed my darIing?"
The keen eye of VilInont noticed that
although madame appeared greatly
shocked, she did not weep. No tear be-
dimmed her bright eye.
'Will madame accompany me to Mon
sieur lie Commissaryf Justice demands
that madame should aid us in our en-
deavor to unearth the william who has so
cowardly taken off Monsieur We reikin,"
said Vilmont.
She started, and then calming herself,
said to her maid.
Blanche, bring my coat and bonnet,
and we will go with monsieur"
The three entered the fiacre, and were
driven TO the Prefecture. AS they
neared the place madame's grief and az
itation increased. Alighting, they en-
tered The Commissary met them at
the door. Ere he had time to express
his sorrow for madame's great Oereave-
ment, she rushed past him and threw
herself upon the lfeleSS Douy OF MN
who had been her husband. Her pite-
Gus means drew from the eyes of these
men who were accustomed to such
scenes tear of pity.
As the Commlssary gently took her
from the body and led her to the chair
Nilmont again noticed that, despite her
great grief, no tears had fallen from her
eyes.
Strange" he muttered, "but some
people cannot shed tears"
When Nine. Verefkin became suifi-
GENTLY Gained the Commissary asked:
Madame, do YOU suspect any of this
terrible crime?'
''No, monsieur" she answered, ''my
husband had no enemies that | know of.
He was too good, TO kind"
As the magistrate asked the question
he pickles up the poniard with which
Monsieur Verefkin had been killed. The
maid. who had been moving about in
her chair, saw the knife, and in shriil
voice exclaimed: MY Godl that is
madame's dagger" For u moment it
seemed as though the woman would
faint, The magistrate rushed to her as
sistance. Then she murmured family:
Mono, Blanche, that is not mine al
though it looks like it.
Vilmonts eyes glistened.
"Ahal That is why she could not