Wichita eagle., 1890-03-16


the result of an accidental overdose.
Neither was anything more, likely to
settle the question as TO whether Dir.
STaughnessv had been Mr.. Brotherton's
murderer, disclosed; the picture. with
its significant date and signature. how
ever, seeming, 20 the minds of some, to
point Enthusiastically TO his guilt. The
full facts Of the case were never known
in Stirkbridge. but briefly they were as
follows:
Mr. Straugbnessy was an Italian. the
son OF Italian peasants. As lad he was
remarkably handsome. and bis good
looks struck the fancy OF a wealthy
Englishman travelling in Italy. he was
brought 10 England by the Englishman,
and here sent TO school. During the
progress of his education Be gave evil
dence OF artistic talents Of such high
order as to induce his patron TO change
his original intention OF taking him as
page or valet, and put within his reach
instead the advantages OF an artistic
training.
The Englishman did not live. however.
10 see whether his protege would justify
the hopes he entertained Of his winning
nigh position in the world of art. and.
dying childless, left a yearly income 10
the young Italian. on condition that he
should change his Italian patronymic 70
that Of his patron-SUaughnessy-a
name the old man fondly believed the
lad would make famous.
After the death OF his patron Young
StraughneSsv-as | viii heuceiorth call
him-proceeded 20 Rome. where ne stud
led in the studio of 4 celebrated Italian
painter Here. ct the age OF 20, he met
and loved beautiful girl-a country
woman of his own, OF the name of Teresa
PalliSca-whose portrait was being
painted by the artist under whom he
was studying, and whom ne saw IN the
studio. She returned his affection with
fervor, but being the child of q proud,
though not wealthy family, she knew
the suit OF an unknown and compare
lively poor artist would be rejected by
her mother and brother. and her meet
ings with him were clandestine-con-
Quoted with the utmost secrecy.
Upon the completion of the portrait
Teresa and her family, consisting of the
mother and brother before mentioned,
left Rome on a visit 10 Monte Carlo.
Straughnessy, loving with al the ardor
of his hot southern nature, completely
absorbed and carried away by his pas
sion, could think of nothing but Teresa.
He determined TO follow her. \ week
after the forming of this decision found
him at Monte Carlo.
There were several meetings between
the lovers, strengthening, il that had
been possible, their mutual love.
While the heart Of the beautiful Teresa
had been filled with the passion of love,
those of her mother and brother had
been filed with the passion for play.
Night after night they sat late at the
crowded gambling tables, eagerly watch
ing their luck.
Fortune turned against them. Their
losses grew deeper and deeper. They
went too far. They beggared them
selves and Teresa, ID only the inteEposi-
ton of a gentlem 4 with whom they
had become acquainted at Monte Carlo
saved them from utter pecuniary disas-
ter He lent them money, advising them
TO endeavor to retrieve their losses by
further play. They lost again. And
when the gentleman - an Englishman
of the name of Brotherton-asked in
lieu of payment Of what they owed him
the hand of Teresa in marriage, possessing
as they did no other means of repaying
him, they Jaw no way out Of the difficulty.
wnen Teresa was informed Of their
decision she was overwhelmed with grief,
but. true TO the,manDer of her rearing,
she did not question the right of her
mother to dispose of her in marriage.
Besides, the family honor was at stake,
and she, proud Of her noble blood. could
not willingly allow it 10 be smirched. 1t
was her fate that she should marry this
ugly, middle aged, prosaic Engiishman,
and do her best to forget the handsome
Italian, with his dark eyes glowing with
loves fire and his ftdeep voice vibrating
/ with loves tenderness, and she must re-
sign herself Nevertheless. her trouble
=
how she suffered, felt his own suffering
at the prospect Of losing her redoubled,
refusing 10 accept the doctrine Of resig-
nation she preached TO him.
When the Palliscas, accompanied by
Mr. Brotherton, left Monte Carlo for
England, Sraughnessy followed them,
and in London, even while the bridal
robes were in process Of preparation,
found occasion 10 see and speak with
Teresa alone. j couple of days before
that fixed for the wedding, ihey met,
and in a wild burst Of grief. forgetting
her lesson Of resignation, Teresa con-
fessed how full Of loathiuG w-s her
heart at the thought of her mar
rage. how life with Br. BrosaertOn
seemed to offer her nothing bat duh
wretcbednez5. and how ha- mind was
torn with grief at tho thought o. parting
with StFaUEhnessy-
Straughnessy had learnt from Teresa
the name and residence Of Ir. Brother
ton. and with some but half formed pgr-
pose IL view Of seeking an interview vith
him 70 beg AID implore him 20 relaess
Teresa. even g the last moment. from her
engagement. without allowing the fam
. lis honor % suffer; o. Offering. himself,
70 paw BIZ degrees. even IL it should cost
him al be possessed, tho SUM for which
Teresa.s relatives were ioIebtct - h.u,
be proceeded b stirkbria2e Eariy On
the morning preceding that fixed Tor the
wedding. wandering 10 the stirkbr1dEe
Wood, he encountered BIN, recognizing
. him froua q portrait Teresa Lad shO~n
biul. lie made q passionate appeal 70