The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-06-15


soul knew she could be- guilty of no
wrong2
She was alone in the world and had
yielded 20 my earnest pleadings for a
speedy marriage. And just one week
before the time set for the happy event
something occurred which changed the
whole course of my life.
was strolling in the vicinity of the
Villa Borghere gardens. 1t was evening,
and the yellow stars had just begun to
twinkle through the purple dusk. Sud-
denly became aware that was being
followed. caught a glimpse OF the
figure of man stealing after me--the
same figure, thought, that had once
dogged my footsteps as was returning
from the Villa del Bsrgacco. ! turned
quickly about to confront the man. but
he skunk away and disappeared among
the trees. ~
A half hour later as was returning
to my lodging some one suddenly leaped
upon me from behind and struck me a
blow with a knife. Though .sorely
wounded, 1 turned and grapplsd with
the would be assassin, but seeing an OFF,
Ger approaching he slipped from my
clutches and made his escape. Oply a
common robber, the officer said. The
wound received kept me confined to
my room for two days, and then went
to the Villa del Bargacco. The house
was closed. She whom / loved was
gone-gone without word to memo
one knew whittier. She had taken her
servants with her--all save the Italian
lad, Beppo, and he could tell me moth
ing. ~
The blow fell on me with crushing
force. IfIhad beensuddenIy condemned
to death, could not have experienced a
more hopeless despair. For days
went about as one in a dream, hardly
caring whether | lived or died.
All that could learn was that she
had left Of her own free will, taking
her servants with her. She had not
thought it proper to splighten me, yet
was resolved to see her again--to hear
from her own lips the sentence of my
banishment.
BY the aid of detectives managed to
trace her to Nice. then to Geneva and
finally to Paris, where all trace was lost.
For two years searched for her, but in
vain. Then came to New York. There
i learned that the former residence of
Isaac Dangerie ld'in that city had been
leased for number of years, but that he
had owned country seat at Mayburg.
next came here, but learned that the
place had never been occupied by its
owner. ! decided to remain in May
burg for some time, hoping that she for
whom l had vainly searched so long
might come TO the place to make it her
home. ~
On the evening of Sept. 10 received
acipher dispatch from New York de-
tective, whom had employed, stating
that Miss Grace Dangerfield had come
to Mayburg and would take up her abode
at Darkwood Hall. M
That very evening l visited the hall
and met Miss Dangerfield face to face.
shall never forget the look of speech
less agony upon her face as stood be-
fore her.. She became as white as death
and clutched the back of chair for
support. held out my hand to her,
but she drew back with low, agouized
cry.
stood looking at her like one turned
10 stone.
Grace, Grace, In the name of God,
what does this mean?" / cried when I
could find my speech. "Why did you
leave me without one wordr Why do
you shrink from me nowp
My whole being shook with emotion
% spoke, and the ungovernable pulls
Ing of passion within me fred my soul
with frenzy.
Her white face. with it's lines Of suf-
fering, her quick, gasping breath and
clinched hands told me plainly of the
agony within. There was moment Of
deathly silence, and then she spoke.
II will tell you," she said, her voice
sinking almost to whisper. Il fled
from you at Rome because-because
had deceived you-because / was then
and am still the wife of anotheri'
Then, like one who reels under a
heavy load, she staggered from the
room, leaving me alone.
Just how l made my way from the
house never knew. She was another's
wifel
Like one who has heard his death SEN
tence, l made my way across the lawn
to the gate. Then, turning, ] walked
through the park toward Msyburg.
During the remainder Of the night |
never closed my eyes in sleep. The next
morning learned that a murder had
been committed near Darkwood Hall.
Later / was arrested, accused of CON-
the crime. OF the man who
was murdered or tho one who murdered
him know nothing. What evidence is
to be brought against me do not know.
Shall be made to suffer for another's
crimef Despair has made me indiffer-
ent to life, yet something tells me that
/ shall yet be the means of clearing up
the mystery that surrounds the dark
affair.
Here ended abruptly the manuscript
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