The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1895-03-05
4 SECRET DISCLOSED.

The incidents we are about to relate
are true in every particular. For a
period of three years there was great
CONSERVATION in Vienna, caused by the
number and boldness CT the highway
robberies which were committed upon
travellers in the very suburbs of the
city. The intelligence which guided
these attacks was not less remarkable
than their audacity was surprising. In
nearly every instance the victim select
ed furnished rich booty to the band
its and there seemed almost a supernat-
ural agency aiding the efforts of the
outlaws, enabling them to strike where
rich rewards were certain, resistance
unlikely, escape easy, and detection
impossible.
The police of Vienna, the shrewdest
and best in Europe, with the possible
exception Of that of Paris, had made
extraordinary efforts to check the out
lawry and arrest the perpetrators, but
the attempt was as often bafied, and
the robberies went on.
It was in the fall of the year when
Sir William Harlow, an Englishman Of
great wealth, was passing along the
highway in his Carriage about three
miles from the city, accompanied by
his wife and daughter, the latter a
beautiful young lady, seventeen years
of age.
Suddenly a couple of masked men
appeared ID the road before them, their
horses were seized, and their valuables
demanded. Sir William drew a pistol,
and pointing it at the insolent robber,
pulled the trigger. At the same in
stunt his daughter, alarmed at the de-
mand, had drawn her purse, and
reached out her arm to deliverit. The
aim was sure, and the robber fell heav-
lily to the earth; but the young lady
uttered a scream of agony which drew
her fathers attention even from the
gravity of the situation without. He
found that his ball had passed through
the small white ann, inhicting severe
wound, from which the blood was flow
ing in great profusion. Thoroughly
alarmed, he gave no heed to his assail-
ants, bestowing all his attentions upon
the now insenSible girl.
The report of the pistol brought three
or four masked men to the spot, ac.
companjed by q tall. well built man,
= who appeared to act as their leader,
but whose movements were character
lied by such ease and grace as to excite
wonder how a common robber could
acquire such high born accom- plish-
ments. He arrived on the scene just
in time to prevent Que of his men
from sumDlarlly avengiug the death of
bis comrade, and at his command every
thought of plumber was dismissed, and
every aid extended to the wounded lady
and her stricken parents. The injured
limb was bound up, the horses reat-
tachcd to the carriage, and in a few
moments they were ready to proceed
to the city where they could procure
surgeon.
Sir William Harlow was so grateful
for these attentions that when ready to
start he drew valuable ring from his
finger and presented it to the bandit
chief with thanks.
The robbery was reported to the au-
thorities, the usual investigation was
made, aud the usual failure followed.
Miss Harlow's injuries were not Sc
we're, and in few weeks the family re-
sumed their tour, and finally returned
to England.
Three years later Miss Harlow was
married, and soon after went to reside
in Vienna, her husband being attached
to the English embassy to the Austrian
court.
In the society of the imperial city
she, now Mrs. Archibald Ingsley,
soon formed the acquaintance of
Count Barcni, native of Hungary,
but long a resident at the Austrian
capital. He was reputed a person
of great wealth, many accomplish
ments, and high social position.
He soon became regular and frequent
visitor at the house of Mr.. and Mrs.
Ingsley, and the lady became the OBJ
ject Of his most gallant attentions.
The rather loose morality prevalent in
the high circles of Austrian society to!e-
rated an intimacy which ended in
mad declaration OF love by the infatu-
ate count. To what extent his feelings
were reciprocated there are no means of
knowing. While toleratipg, even en-
couraging his friendship, she steadily
resisted his ardent advances, thus co.,
stantly infaming his passion and keep
ing hope alive. He became blindly,
madly enamored of her, and pressed
his suit with frantic desperation. Every
other passion or impulse seemed to for
sake him, or was kept IN perfect sub
ordination; and he seemed to exist
only in her presence, and live only in
the hope of finally winning per heart
and hand.
One day in the delirium of his pas
SION, he threw himself at her feet and
begged her to fly with him to some
haven where no obstacle to their union
would be known or suspected, and in
that quiet retreat live in the full enjoy
ment and happiness which he declared
must crown al affection so ardent as
theirs.
Finding her resolution unshaken,
and crazed by her obduracy, he rose to
his feet, tore open his vest, wrenched
from the slender gold chain to which