The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1885-05-13
A WICKED WON AN.


lard, died suddenly at his home in st.
Thomas. His young and beautiful wife
acted as though demented when she
learned that her husband had passed
away, and her intense grief and prolonged
hysteria gave rise to the belief that the
unfortunate woman would herself soon
follow the husband whose loss she seemed
to feel such poignant grief for. When
Senor La Barriers will was probated 1t
was found that he had bequeathed his en-
tire fortune to his wife, and, as no one
disputed the testament, the young wife
decided to turn the fortune into ready
cash and leave st. Thomas. io-ls..
Shortly after senora's departure the
servant who had been employed In the
family of Senior La Barrier informed the
chief Of police that he had occasion to be-
lieve that his late master had been poi
soned, and that no less q parsonage than
La Barriers wife had committed the
crime. He handed the chief vial of
prussic acid, which he said he saw drop
from senora's pocket, wrapped in a hand
kerchief, couple Of nights before his
masters death; and. though a doctor s
certificate declared that death was occa-
stoned by peritonitis, he was morally GER
tain that the man had been poisoned. The
body of La Barrier was subsequently eX-
humed, and post-mortem revealed the
fact that death was occasioned by prussic
acid.
Suspicion pointed to the wife as the
murderess, and steps were at once insti-
tuted by the murdered mans sister-in-
law to discover the whereabouts of Sonora
In Barrier.
Black Pedro,"5 the detective, was, at
the time we speak OF, probably better
known to the criminal class of Cuba and
Mexico than any other man living To
him was lntrusted the finding OF Sonora
La Barrier, and It was under peculiar diff
fculties that the officer started out to find
the woman. His ability In such cases was
never doubted, and his daring and bray
cry were by-words with every one.
BLACK Pedro" had reached Vera Cruz
in his search for the missing woman, and
one day he impaired the object OF his WIS.,
1t to fellow-otiicer. After explaining all
the circumstances which had come 10 his
knowledge concerning the young and
beautiful widow, he said that there was
no doubt In his mind whatever that she
had murdered her husband and fed 10 d
place Of safety with all his wealth. The
friend became silent for o few moments,
and then, Frightening up, said he thought
he could put his friend on the track OF
the party he WAS In search OF. That even
ing the two visited the theater, and, seated
in box, resplendent in jewels and silks,
sat a woman whom Black Pedro" recog-
nized, by the description and portraits
given him, as the party he was in sesrch
Of. When" Black Pedro" and his friend
parted that night the latter said.
BE careful, Pedro, or that handsome
creature will trick you and make her es.
cape"
On the following morning Pedro stood
in an ante-room adjoining the elegant
apartments OF Senorita Lapuerta, await
ing that lady's presence. AS she appear
ed in answer TO his card the detective
quietly said:
" Sonora, 1t is my duty to arrest your
"You dare not %
The woman's lips were white with pas
sion, rather than fear, and she stood be
fore the detective like lioness at bay.
He himself could not help but note the
striking beauty OF the woman. Tall and
slender. eyes black and flashing. almost
lurid at the time, the spectacle she pre-
sented standing there in the middle of the
room, was more the appearance Of queen
than hunted criminal
"I must" replied Black Pedro" "I
do not doubt your innocence. Looking in
your face, 1t is strange that any one could
couple 1t with guilt. But am constrained
to do my duty, sonora, however unpleas-
ant 1t may be to my feelings"
"Will you allow me to change my
dress Z" she said, in tone almost pleasant.
The Hard lines around the mouth had
relaxed and the passionate glow on the
face gave way to pleasant smile.
Certainly. Twill wait for you here"
"I also wish TO send a messenger
for friend. VIII you permit him to
pass p
Certainly"
AS the woman left the room "Black
Pedro stepped TO the window and said to
his mate, who was waiting at the street
door:
Sonora desires to send messenger for
q friend. WIN you permit him TO pass. /"
Almost the same instant the door OF the
apartment that sonora had entered
opened, and a youth-apparently mulatto
boy-came out and passed hurrledly
through the room into the hall, and from
thence into the street. It was no doubt,
the messenger Pedro thought, and he
picked up book and began reading.
Nearly an hour passed and still senora
did not make her appearance, nor did the
boy return. The friend she had sent for
must have lived at some distance, "Black
Pedro " thought, or sonora was unusually
careful about her toilet, and so another
hour went by. At last the detective grew
impatient ana knocked at the door.
"Senora, can walt no longer"
There was no reply He knocked re-
peatedly, and at last he determined to
effect an entrance. Strange fears harassed
him; he began to suspect he knew not
what. IL took but q moment TO drive in
the door, and, once in the apartment, the
mystery was revealed. Senora's robes lay
upon the floor, and scattered over the
room were suits Of boys wearing apparel,
similar TO the one worn by the mulatto
boy. On table was q cosmetic that would
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