The Wilmingtonian., 1886-07-24
Her Innocence Proved.

Her Innocence Proved.
On the twenty. fifth of June, Cooucl Thur
Der died suddenly of poison, by whom ad-
ministered was unknown.
His niece, Isabel Chateris, was with him
at that time, and being his heiress, and the
only person benefited by his death, was ar
rested ON suspicion. She Indignantly denied
the murder, and was acquitted on the ground
of insufficient proof.
Her acquital did not satisfy the com nun
ity of her innocence. Her lover asked to be
released from his engagement to her, and
she set him free hlughtily, and left tho
county.
The ciyu Instances Of the murder were pc
culiar.
Colonel fhulber had been ill., and his ii Gee
was sitting with him late one evening. He
was asleep.
Her story was that she went out upon the
toriace un which his room opened lor few
moments When she returned, a mas ked
man was standing near the bed lie turned
as she entered and walked leisurely by her,
bowling as he went, and saying
Don't be afraid, madame"
Wondt ring and frightened, she hurried to
her uncle, but found him sleeping still, and,
it being time to give him medicine, she ad-
ministered it as soon as he walked.
He fell back into convulsions as she set
the glass down, and died before doctor
could get to him.
In the bottom of the glass were found the
remains of an active and virulent poison
but there was no proof that Isabel Chateris
put it there and she was accordingly acquit-
ted.
"
The pIettiest woman of the season at cer-
tain small watering-place was delicate,
childish-looking creature called Chissom.
She had soft dark eyes, silky hair, and
SLY caressing manner that was irresistible.
She had an air of wealth, and her Jewels
were something wonderful, they all allowed
The rival sensation was German count
blonde, as beautiful as an angel, all the
women said except Mrs. Chissom, who said
nothing about it, but always found superior
attractions elsewhere whenever Count Elmi
chanced her way.
The count himself noticed her avoidance
of him at last but only smiled, and spoke
quite frankly about it, until lady informed
him that Mrs. Chissom shuddered when he
was spoken of.
Count Elmi laughed, but he grew very
white suddenly, and the color did not come
back to his face for long time.
''What temper he hasr r' thought the
lady.
"Shuddered-eh h?" muttered the count.
"We must try and mend that"
He set about it at once. But the result
was not satisfactory. Mrs Chissom shrark
from him with look of positive terror when
he addressed her.
The counts blue eyes glittered as he saw
it.
"Pray, are yon afraid of me, madame 20
he asked very low.
Instead of answering she turned like some
hunted creature, and caught the arm of a
gentleman who waspassing-a good-natured
laundering young fellow, named Allen Ford.
Heloved her desperately, but he would as soon
have dared asked a empress to marry him as
to tell her SO. He blushed up to his eyes as
she took his arm.
Don't you like the count, Mrs ChissomP'
lie stammered.
She did not answer, and seeing how white
she was, he led her quickly to seat into
which she shrank, and quietly tainted away.
After that it was no secret. that the little
beauty with the soft, dark eyes, and face
like cameo carving, did not like Count
Elm.
A few thought it must be something con-
stitutional, sort Of repulsion of tempera-
ments, possibly. Others whispered that the
handsome and delightful count perhaps
knew something concerning that mysterious
past of hers that would not bear the day
light.
Mrs Chissom must have had great many
offers that season, though she did not seem
to seek admiration, or care fer it. On the
contrary, she had rather an air Of shrinking
from notice, and was never gay. Her dress,
too, had nothing striking about it, except,
indeed, always being in perfect taste.
Count Elmi used to watch her sometimes
as she talked with others, with look made
up of suspicion and hatred mingled.
Hard lines on you, count" said Allen
Ford, on one of the occasions. He was as
remarkable for his malapropos speeches as
his bashfuleess. "Odd that she's down on
you So"
The count turned livid and muttcrcd some,
thing that Allen could not catch.
When Mrs. Chissom made her appearance
at breakfast the following morning, she no
ticed vague and intangible something ii
the faces and manner of the ladies gathered
there, that struck chill to her heart.
No one addressed her, and those to whom
she spoke stared at her without replying, a
if she had been an utter stranger, and he
accosting them was an act of impertinenoe.
The gentlemen, to do them justice, wer
as civil as ever, but with difference.
Mrs. Chissom grew deadly pale, but sh
sat still, and made pretence of eating.
Breakfast over she went to her own room
remained there all day, taking both luucl
aud dinner there, and holding no communi