Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1894-11-15


SPAR wanted to escape forever from
the parts of the world that had known
me before. went to Nice, then to Cen
eva, from there to Paris, aud from there
to Switzerland, where l spent two years
In an obscure Alpine village. Then
came to New York and direct to Dark
wood Hall-a country seat my father
had purchased some years beforehand
here / thought to make my home.
But on the very next day after my ar
rival the evil genius of my life. Don Eu-
genio, made his appearance at the hall.
It was about dark, and I was in tho
grounds cutting some flowers from the
shrubbery when he suddenly came and
stood before me.
1--WE meet again after long separa-
tion>' he said. Have you no welcome
for your long absent husband?"
He advanced toward me. The sight
of his swarthy, evil face filled me with
aversion and desperation. He should
never lay his hands upon me again-I
was determined on that point would
take his life first. | raised the stiletto
with which had been cutting the flow
ars as he advanced. There was murder
in my soul, and for moment think
was very near insanity.
He must have OWNED what was il
my soul, for he drew back with a low.
bitter laugh.
I'm see you again, my little wild
cat," he said and skunk away through
the shrubbery. Just then dizziness
came over me, and | staggered into the
house and threw myself upon lounge.
It oil seems like dream now. But the
next thing l remember was that Gerald
Rainforth stood before me, and then ]
told him the secret that should have
told him years before. He did not speak,
and fled from the room.
/ threw myself upon my bed and tried
to quiet my throbblng brain. 0 God,
why could not die and end my miseryi
Then sudden wild and insane thought
came to mel would kill Don Eugenioi
Yes, l would kill .him--heaven would
forgive me the act-and then--I arose
and CROPPED about the dark room till |
found the dagger which had fallen fl ON
my hand. Then | threw myself upon
a couch and tried to think coherently.
Was becoming insane? Yes, should
soon be mad now The thought brought
kind of triumph to my soul. How my
brain throbbed! Strange lights seemed
dancing before my vision, and then
was it stupor that overcame me?
There was short space Of oblivion fol-
lowing. How long | remained in that
state l do not know. In a dream l
thought had stabbed Don Eugenio, and
he lay dead at my feet! Was it a dream?
Invoke with cry of terror. was stand
ing in the darkness outside the gate, the
dagger clasped in my hand. Had al
ready committed murder? l stood for
moment stupefed with horror. Then l
threw the knife from me and fled into
the house.
The next morning the incidents of the
night all appeared like some troubled
dream. Then came the horrifying news
that q man had been found murdered
stabbed to death-near Darkwood Hall!
Had I committed the deed? Was it Don
Eugenio who had been murdered? I
must know the truth and at once. l dis
guised myself in suit of the coach
mans clothes and went to the place
where they had taken the murdered
man. One glance told me that it was
Don Eugenio. Then was his murder
ess! How managed to get away from
the place and return home never knew.
For the next few days remember little
that transpired. When at last I heard
that another had been arrested, suspect
ed of having committed the crime.
- 20 ~oI~o .4oo
sion.
This Ia my story. Am l guilty of
murder? God only knows! But can
not suffer much longer. 1t is more than
can bear. ...,
Here ended the lines she had written.
As I laid the manuscript aside Gerald
east an eager glance at my face.
"You do not think her guilty?" he
asked.
"No-never!'
''Thank God!" he exclaimed fervent-
", clasping my hand warmly in his own.
1T must have been hours after the
murder was committed before she left
the house." replied. Hers was SIM
ply somnambulistic state brought on
by overexcitement, and it is impossible
that she could have committed the deed
in that state. Then she may be labor
ing under some peculiar Authorization,
which will pass away when her health
10 fully restored. But what is this you
tell me about the real criminal being
caught2 Do you really believe that such
10 the case, and what did the detectives
say regarding the picture?"
"Of course they smiled at me when
told them of the picture and explained
how it had been produced, and it was
plain that they considered me insane on
that subject, but whenI offered IS, 900
reward for the arrest Of the man COR
responding with the picture they agreed
70 commence the search yes. tL:-.