Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1884-04-09
A STRANGE STORY.
A Beautiful Devil and Her Terrible
Crime,

Nftinc,
Among other stories Of real Lfo
which have heard told ut the capital,
one of the s:rangest was OF q widow in
Virginia, who was left with several
children, among them very beautiful
daughter ahou, IL Years of age. The
widow, finding herself embarrassed,
opened n uoarling-housc Al the county
site, and among her boardcrs was
Mr.. W, a wealthy merchant over 40
years of age, but very line looking
man. THIS gentlemen was the prop
ard stay of the family; gave employ
ment 10 the sons, educated the daugh-
ter at Questionable academy and,
very naturally, on her re urn fell des-
peratelv in love wi Ii her, when he
should have preferred the mother. lie
pressed his spit with perseverance,, but
the beautiful Mildred resisted his app
pcals. and the opportunities of all her
friends. Finally. shcwcycr. cficr%iwos
years Of assiduity and del. cate gallant
nv on the part of Mr.. W.. and the cont
oined tears, entrcaties, threats. and
prosecutions Of her family, The fair Siri
reluctantly stood before the altar and
became his wife. The next evening a
large party was given them, but in the
midst of it Mr.. w, being attacked with
vertigo and SEX headache, was COM
pelled to withdraw. His young wife
hung over him in the silent watches Of
the night. apparently in deep distress,
and ins sed on giving him potion;
she poured out wine"lasstal OF iaud-
anuln, and hc swallowed it, uncon-
scious OF its nature. 1t acted as an
emelic. but left him stupid anl wander
i'm. His senses rceiad. One moment
he lay moionlcss as II oa the brink of
the spirit wor 1, ana The next he would
leap Nd co,,yutsively, u strcng man in
lis agouy. Ms. W. deniad ali adnis-
sion into his chamber. At len tn he
Tell into q deep sleep. She thea stoop-
ed for a moment over the smoldering
embers. approached the bed, ggzea at
her sleeping husband. aud ho.d;ng a
heated ladle in her hand attempted to
pour q stream OF melted lead in his ear.
She tremblcd. and the Kissing liqu d,
intended to scald the brain and thus
Kill without a trace, fell upon his
cheek. lie shri kcd in cxcruciating
torture, and the revclcrs in the adjoin-
ing saloon rushed into the chamber.
There wtithcd the still stupid nus
band. the lead riye;el daep into his
cheek. and there stool the iiend-wite,
her bridal tilets yet upon her brow,
the instrument OF death in her hand
and an empty vial, labeled laudanum,
lying on the floor. The fearful rcali-
ties of the cause flashed upon every
one, and, in The confusion OF the mo.
ment, she was hurried away AMI taken
TO distant state. On searching the
apartments. an old magazine was
found containing the confession If 4
woman who had murdered five hus-
bands by ponring lead into their ears.
The laudanum and the lead, ii was as
ccrtained, she procured from the store
| OF Mr.. w. few days Defore the mar
| riage, and tho ladle was a part Of his
| wedding gift. The granl jury next
morning found a bin against the fugi-
tive, and the legislature, being in scs-
| sion, forthwith deerced an absolute di-
vorcc. The sequel of this romance
| is vet more singular. Years rolled
| away, and Mr.. w. continued wretch
cd and solitary man; but the spell Of
| the enchan,ress was still upon his soul.
| He closed his store, sold his estates,
| collected his ample means and traced
her to her distant retreat. 10 make u
new offer of his hand. She had just
married n gentleman OF high standing,
acquainted with all the details of her
career, shuddering at the tragedy. but
incapable Of resisting her charms.
Poor W.! Then. indeed, did The iron
enter his soul. "rhe deadly arrow
quiyered in his side" His early love.
his iluciuating CT urtship, his marriage
and the catastrophe, the flight, the di-
vorce, his years Of misery. the new
birth OF his passion and now his disap-
| pointment, final and forever. came
crushing over him like an iceberg in
the tide Of the bitter memories. and he
/ prayed for death. Ben Isrlsy Roore IN
Boston Budget.
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