The Osceola times., 1884-08-02
deep in the back of Ilvarez, who
FELL DEAD WITHOUT A aRoAN.

Henrico almost doubted the evidence of
his senses and had he provoked the fight
would be half inclined TO think it only
ruse to avoid fighting. He finally recov-
cred from his apathy, laid down his pis.
tol, and went and kneeled down by the
side of the dead man, and endeavored TO
staunch the wound, though convinced Of
its inutility. His own marked hand
kerchief was employed for this purpose.
He then proceeded to search the pockets
of the deceased, thinking it probable he
carried some treasure about him which
might tempt others to rob him while he
was gone for assistance. Whatever val
uables he might find on the body he re-
solved to carry to the nearest relatives,
and then proceed to the city for aid. He
found in the pockets well-flled purse,
an 4 an anonymous letter directed to IL
varez, giving him information that his
rival. Henrico Lapuerta, had supplanted
him in his affections of the fair Marie,
and that that evening the lovers were to
meet at certain rendezvous-that Hen
rico had frequently made use of derisive
epithets in speaking of Ilvarez, and
warning him to beware of the slanderer
and fraud. There was no signature, but
as Henrico crushed the letter in his
hand, and thrust it into his pocket, he
said to himself:
81 know that handwriting. A light
breaks on my mind"
He was preparing to leave the spot,
when the sound of many voices arrested
his attention.
"Ah," thought he, assistance comes
without my seeking it,"
All this time the youth had
NOT THE LEAST SUSPICION OF ANY DANGER
threatening himself from his position,
and stood calmly awaiting the approach
of the footsteps. which he tried to hasten
by crying loudly for help. The next
moment he was surrounded by group
of men who gazed with surprise upon
the scene before him.
"What! murder has been committed,
and we have no doubt surprised the
murderer" said one of the new comers,
as he roughly laid his hand upon Henri
co.'s shoulder. "a muyder has been COM
mitted," said the latter as he threw the
fellow from him, "but not by me. was
about 10 seek for assistance to convey
the body to friends" and then Henrico
detailed the circumstances and the trag-
edy, and the part he had taken in ii.
"His appearance denotes wealth" said
one, "and the object of the murder was
possibly for plunder.
~ took care to prevent that, said Hen
rico, "and have his money in my pos
session"
| "Rather suspicious circumstances,
suggested another, as he stopped down
to examine the body and lifted the hand
kerchief which had been used to staunch
the flow of blood.
"> our name," he demanded.
"Henrico I.apuerta," replied the youth.
| The man, who was an officer of some
description, put the handkerchief into
into his pocket, and without further re-
mark babe his companions to take the
prisoner to Jail.
Henrico protested his innocence, yet
as he spoke, the extreme peril of his sit
uation and the circumstances under
which he was found, rushed so forcibly
upon his mind. that he staggered and
turned pale.
Lead on" he finally said, 81 shall
soon clear myself of this charge"
The condolences of circumstances
were never stronger, probably, than in
Henrico's case, and being poor his chance
for obtaining proper counsel were very
slim. The facts OF the prosecution were
plain and seemingly incontrovertible.
The young mans suit had been rejected
by Marie's father, while Ilvarez's had
been favored.
A SECRET ASSASSINATION,
a pistol found near the body-a handker-
chief marked with the name of the ac-
cused-the money of the deceased found
in his possesslon-no witnesses to prove
his innocence. All was clear as day,
and though proofs of former ID con-
duct were produced, they were not suf-
ficent to overbalance the circumstantial
evidence already cellated against the un-
fortunate. Yet while all his fellow men
condemned him, one gentle heart plead
ed in his favor Marie said frequently
to herself "He is innocent, and it will
yet be proved"
The day of trial arrived and Henrico's
lawyer, cool and confident arose and
called the name IF Senorita Valmez. Sem
or Morales, who sat directly IN front Of
Henrico, and whose countenance up to
s:s moment expressed exultation and
gratifed revenge, suddenly turned death
ly pale at the mention of the name, and
would have fallen from his seat had he
not grasped the railing in front of him.
Senorita, very pale and feeble arose at
the mention of her name and took the
stand.
She stated that she had known Henri
co from childhood, and had been en-
ployei for years by Senior Morales as
housekeeper. at his suggestion she
wrote the letter which Henrico had
found on the person of the murdered
Ilvarez, and on the night of the crime
cited condition, and throwing his cloak
upon chair in the hallway went to his
room. When she lifted the garment
ABLooDY KNIFE
fell from the folds to the floor, which she
picked up and put away. A few days
afterward she was discharged by Nor
ales under the plea that he was going
away on a journey. As she left the house
that evening she was struck over the
head with some blunt instrument; when
she awoke to consciousness she was w.
ing in a strip woods on the outskirts of
the city, and her body was covered with
leaves and dirt. She cravled to lone
ly home on the roadway, where, under