The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-06-16


"Have you aver thought that she
might be laboring under spell OF tenn
porary- insanity" / asked. II have
known In my own practice patients that
labored under hallucinations of almost
similar character.
II have thought Of that" he replied,
"and your words strengthen the belief
that such may prove to be the case.''
remained in the cell for over an hour
discussing the subject with the prisoner.
Then took my leave and went to see
Miss DangerheId, who was still lying In
an unconscious condition at the sheriff's
home. / found little change in her
condition for the better.
So the days went by till week had
passed. Grace Dangerfield had recov-
cred her consciousness, but was very
weak. AS yet she had spoken to no one
regarding the murder, and had given
orders that she must not be allowed to
talk on any subject till she was stronger.
It was two weeks later before Grace
Dangerfield recovered sufficiently 10
leave her bed. Then she was taken to
the Jail. where she was confined in "A cell
to await the sitting of the court.
One evening about week later Ger
aid sent for me and handed me a tele-
gram dated at New York city and
which contained the words:
Ihave the man. VIII be there at 4ao
4 RAwsoN.
"This Is from my detective" said
Gerald, land he has captured the mur-
derer. But this is not all the good news
have to fell you." he continued.
"Grace has just sent me this. Read il
lit will explain many things that have
puzzled us BOTH
sheets of paper closely written in fine,
round hand. Unfolding the manuscript,
Sead as follows:
GRACE DANoERFIELD s STORY.
The secrets and sorrows of my life
have thought never to reveal. 1t Is
something l shrink from as from death,
but to remain silent now would be, to
increase the weight of sorrow which
am already compelled to bear and work
an injustice TO others.
Is the hand that pens these lines
guilty OF murder? Heaven only knowsl
But l shall begin at the first and tell
the whole story---and what a story of
sorrow and anguish Shall ever re-
cover from its streets? / hardly know
how to begin, my brain is SO bewildered.
Perhaps shall soon be insane. There
are times when almost hope that I
shall. Anything would be preferable to
the torturing memories that beset my
brain. But let me come to my story.
was born In Cuba of English par
ents. At the age OF 10 lost my moth
Or. My father was we'll to do mer-
chant in Havana, but when was II
years of age he became hopelessly in
volved in debt, and ruin was inevitable.
One Of his largest creditors was man
of the name of Eugenio Sanchez, mer-
chant who had been frequent guest at
my fathers house. He was man Of
about 80, tall and dark and Of winning
manners, yet there was something about
him thafimpressed me unfavorably.
One evening my father called me to
him and told me that Eugenio Sanchez
had proposed for my hand in marriage,
and unless I consented to become his
wife we should be speedily turned out
Of doors as beggars. Don Eugenio, he
said, would provide me with all the
luxuries wealth could afford; that I
must accept hint was our only
chance to avert ruin.
was horriied at the very thought,
and with Good of tears and expostu-
lations implored my father to never
mention the subject to me again. he |
said nothing in reply, but / saw that
he was deeply moved. In week he
again broached the subject to me, urg-
Ing me to reconsider my hasty decision. |
Il can never consent to become his |
wife, reNied, though 1t caused me
great pain to Gisobey his will.
mot even to save your old father
from ruin and utter beggary?" he asked.
made no reply, but wept ia silence.
Isaw his face grow white. Then stoop.
ing to kiss me be left the room, reeling
like one who has received heavy blow.
The look Of utter despair upon his face
frightened me. i arose and followed
him to his room. / entered noiselessly,
and as did so saw that he had pis-
tol in his hand. He quickly concealed
1t rs he saw me enter, but knew In an
instant that he was about to take his
own life.
With an agonized cry l ran forward
and threw my arms about him, and
then, sobbing Historically and hardly
knowing what did. promised to be-