Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1894-07-19
CHAPTER VI.

C11AG ILR VI.
Mrs. Priolo had not allowed the
grass to grow under her feet. I'm
mediately after her discoveries in FL
len Warde'S room she had written to
a friend in London who she knew
always scrupulously kept the weekly
newspapers she received from Austria
liza, and asked her as a favor to lend
her those of that winter when she
and Mr.. Bowyer had been separated.
If the girl had committed any crime,
the account of it would probably be
in them, or at least 3he might find
something in connection with her pro
fessional career which would furnish
O cleW.
Tt was on the morning after she
had overheard Mr.. Bowyer telling
Colonel Severn what he intended to do
in the event of his niece'S marriage,
she received an answer to her letter
in the shape of a large bundle of
newspapers for which she had to pay
two or three shillings extra postage,
in consequence of the postal regula-
tons not having been complied with.
SO indignant was she at what she
termed her friends selfish carelesness
that for some time she could not con-
centrate her attention on what was
before her, and kept turning page
after page in angry alteration. Then
something caught her eyes that rivet-
ed her attention at Once-"Theatrica
Tragedy at Sydney! Murder of an
Actress! Important Evidence of her
Sister" Could this be what she
sought?
AS she read, and the conviction grew
upon her that one of those who had
been concerned in that dreadful TRACE
DIV was under the same roof with her.
her excitement became more intense.
There could be no miStake-tWO SIS
tiers. actresses, both supposed to be in
love with the same man. The one he
chose for his wife was found muir
dered; and the person who was with
her last. the owner Of the pistol from
which the fatal shot had been fired
who had also, as was proved, been on
bad arms with her for the previous
wee.--waS her sister.
Mrs. PrioIo recalled a photograph
she had seen of the two girls and the
sketch of young man, who was prob
ably the Gerald Weare mentioned in
the inquiry. and not doubt remained
in her mind but that "Ellen Warde"
was merely an alias for Elaine War
r-In InJ0i0fn6 9
plainly on her face at the chance
supposition that she might have had
a sister was eXplained-it meant guilt.
She was guilty of that sisters death.
Only one fact struck her as strange.
This being so, and every word of the
evidence at the inquest having pointed
to the one conclusion, why was the
girl still at large?
She turned over the To. e to see what
the verdict had been.
"Willful murder again, some person
or persons unknown" Why, surely
none could have hesitate to pronounce
who thu person was : ter what had
been proved! But this was only the
GDroner's inquest, of course, and he
real trial would follow after.
She threw that paper impatiently
on one side. and took UP the next
weeks issue The first lines on which
her glance alighted told her all-"The
Sydney Tragedy. The Sudden Flight
Of the Suspected Murderessr'
All. now she remembered the whole
affair! 1t had caused great excitement
at the time, and, troubled though she
had been by the strange absence OF
her brother-in-law. she could not but
hear a great deal about it.
First OF all. she must fath0m the
mystery of Mr.. Bowyer's action in the
matter.
Was she his dauShter-legitimate O
otherwise? That idea she dismissed
also as improbable. for her husband
had always affirmed, when she ques
toned him on the subject-having al
ready. even at that early period, haC
designs upon the fortune of the pros
porous lawyer-that his brother
name had never been mentioned il
connection with any woman-anl
wasn't likely to be.
The next question that occupied he
mind was how to turn this discover,
to her own advantage. This required
careful thinking out; she held tn
game in her own haIds now. ant
could win it when she chose with
craft and patience.
Taking up the papers again, she reat
the whole case slowly through.
Not until she came to the very en-
did the full force Of what she wa
reading seem to strike her.
To entertain a doubt of the girl
guilt was impossible after weighing
the evidence against her. She was
murderess, and had been living wit
them so long unsuSpected and un
dreaded-was even now alone with he
benefactor!
A very frenzy Of fear seized tn
housekeeper and obscured her natura
common sense. Starting up so sue
denly that the papers fell apart an