The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1890-05-31

AGED 10 overcome Lhcui, uuu lnuuctu "a
number OF the white lepers 10 talk
about themselves. One of these Is
woman nearly so years old. Though
she has been at the settlement num-
Der OF years. she Is almost entirely free
from any visible faint OF the dread dis
ease. Her face Is without blemish. and
she would be even handsome II one
could forget while one looks upon her
that she is leper. Moreover. she Is
highly intelligent woman. and IL must
be believed from her own story that
she was not many years ago society
lady Of influence and popularity in
city not great distance from San
Francisco.
You must not mention my name
said she. when she finally yielded to
persuasion and consented TO tell her
story. for. though have a husband
and several children, TO say nothing OF
large circle OF friends. in the United
States. there Is only one person. IL. in
deed, she he still alive. who knows
anything OF my condition or where-
abouts.
II propose to talk TO you frankly"
continued the unfortunate woman. II
have sinned-sinned grieyously. and
sometimes think this is my punish
ment. BE that as il may, am here and
must remain for life. | care not how
soon the end comes; the sooner the bet
ter---but 10 my story.
My father was "A Methodist minister
In Connecticut town. | was educated
at an Eastern college. When / was
nearly 20 accompanied my parents on
"A visit TO Washington. ID. &. Ii was
there met my husband. TO be more
accurate, the gentleman who was to be
my husband few months later. He
was New Yorker, but had been TO
California, where he then had valuable
mining and landed interests. Within
"A year from the time we met we were
man and wife, aud settled down In one
of the cosiest little homes in all the
West The town in which we lived
grew rapidly into a city OF Importance.
My husband became a very wealthy
man.
-Four sons and two daughters were
born TO US, and we were the happiest
family la the world. | went great
deal into society. My husband hated
the social world. but that did not deter
me. went just the same; and led
| ruled the highest circles.
1T had been fifteen years since n
lady, friend of mine. induced me TO
accompany her on visit 10 some of her
acquaintance nj Honolulu. At that
time "A trip across the ocean was not
what IL is now. but nothing daunted.
we started on the journey and in the
course of time reached our destination.
AT Honolulu met n man and sinned,
as have said Ii was the first crime
of my life. The shame of il, the horror
Of II seized upon me, and. forcing my
friend TO cut short her visit. We hurried
away across the sea again.
My husband and children met me
with open arms and loving kisses. but
| skulked among them, wretohed
traitress to every trust. my load OF
shame heavy on my heart. Stunned
society aud held my polluted self alooi
from all my friends. My life was pro-
longed misery. and longed for death.
don't know why didn't in that sore
trial. cut the thread OF life and set free
my sin-ladened soul.
Throughout all this never blamed
any one but myself--neyer until years
after my return home, when | made a
discovery. Oh, that was worse than
the bitterest misery; IL was utter dam
nationl ! fled from home In frenzy
of excitement and rage which was ut.
terly new 10 me. The friend whom |
had accompanied across the sea years
before now bore me company across
the same watery waste. But II was not
"A trip for pleasure this time. A thirst
for vengeance filled my heart. Ii was
q mission OF murder.
My real object was not conhded 10
my companion until were far out NJ
sea. then told her all At first she
sought 10 dissuade me from my pur-
pose. but failing in this she soon fell
in with my design Cor seemed 10 AT
least. Sometimes think she deceived
me.)
On the day. nay the hour. OF our
arrival at Honolulu | yelled my face.
caught up pistol, hailed passing
hackman. and was driven straight TO
the business house OF the man who had
wrecked my life and willfully chained
me TO a living. loathsome death. i
fairly gloated over the prospect Of
quick revenge.
IL sprang from the cab at the door.
and. hurrying into the house. called
aloud for my victim. The place was
changed. The faces were new. A man
came running after me. asking who II
was | wanted. | breathed the cursed
name. Al its mention the man seemed
thunderstruck. Him. he cried; why.
he fled the country long ago. To escape
Molokai lie was last heard Of In
Italy