Democratic Northwest and Henry County news. [volume] (Napoleon, O. [Ohio]) 1894-1905, 1895-06-27
MEDUSA.
A Detectives Experience.
what a creaturel

history, TOO, said Mr.. F.
you know her, then7'
Yes
Who is she?'
"A murderess.'
us it possible2'
Perhaps l should not say as much
but 1 will tell you her history.
1T has not been many years ago
since she lived with her husband,
honored, and respected by every one.
They had no children of their own,
but had adopted child from the or
phan asylum. 1t was winsome crea-
ture with laughing blue eyes and a
merry smile that won insensible on
your heart. Years passed away, and
the orphan girl grew into beautiful
woman. Everyone loved her, and So
ciety lavished Cd her caresses which
only its bellies received. But the grs.
ces Of her mind were not exceeded
by her personal beauty. Brilliant and
fascinating, there was ever about her
that charm which wins On the heart
while it pleases the senses. 1t is not
surprising that her protector loved
her as if she had been his own child; ;
but 1t was the love of a father only.
But somehow his wife grew jealous of
the child she had reared, and this sen
timent once excited can never be ap-
pease1. She may not have been
bad woman, yet that passion made
her insensible to every just and Chari'
table emotion. Unsuspecting and
loving as one so circumstanced would
be, the girl lavished upon both the af-
lection real parents would have obtain
ed. But it had no power to disarm
the fatal cruelty of heart maddened
by suspicion. Her caresses were tor
tured and sight Of her at last became
insupportable, Strange to say, tho
object Of this hostility never dreamed
Of its existence. And as trifes light
as air are to the jealous minded con-
frmation strong as proofs from holy
writ, so the natural affection and in
nocent love of this young girl were
made the means Of confirming suspic-
ions that at last destroyed her life.
You have often seen the home
where they lived, It is small two
story dwelling. The chamber of
Louise adjoined that of Mr.. T-and
his wife, but the door to it opened
from the hallway which ran alongside
I, Of both Of them, The only means Of
access was from window which look
ed out into the courtyard, This could
only be reached by means OF q ladder.
One mornining the whole communl-
ty was startled by the announcement
that Louise Raynor had been murder
ed. MIR. l. and myself were among the
first who entered the house. The
young creature, scarcely twenty, lay
upon the bed as if in sleep. The
golden hair fell like floss on the pill
low; the face was chill and white, but
never more beautiful.
The long lashes rested lovingly on
the cheek, and the blue-veined lids,
palely tinted now, looked as if they
we're ready to lift from sunny eyes.
No sculptor ever chiseled form SO
fair. The drapery that hid her did
not conceal its delicate outlines, nor
the contour of the rounded limbs. A
cash in the bosom and a crimson stain
disclosed where the treacherous blow
had been dealt. 1t had found bel
heart--that sharp avenging steel
even as she slept. The young life hac
passed without struggle, and tht
scream that the lips had opened tc
utter was lost in smile.
The door of her room had beel
locked, and no answer being returned
when she was called in the morning
the door had been forced open. Th
key was on the outside. The window
however, was open. The murdere
must have gained access through il
: many thought. My conclusion led t
a different theory.
/ soon became satisfied, from all
could learn from the servants an
the confused statements of Mr.. T.
that she had committed the deco
, Still there was no oproof Of it, and
was equally satisfied there would b
+ none. She had been far to cunning t
leave a trace behind. She had n
doubt concealed herself In the room
!, and, after Louise had retired, accom-
i plished her purpose and then to avoi
dataotion had euuncy barcalf from II