The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-12-25

Chicago, Dec 24.-Miss Mabel Powell,
Their at 1907 Drexel boulevard, and
whose charms and talents had won for
her the friendship of many members
of the best households on the south
side, dled suddenly from morphine or
opium poisoning in the resort at AL
Clark street at o'clock this morning.
1t is believed the drug was taken with
suicidal intent. 1t did not take effect
for several hours and in that interval
the girl had devoted herself to reyelry,
waiting for death, but making no sign
to her friends with whom she had been
passing the hours in dancing and sing
ing. Her last words were a prettily
worded toast, spoken in voice broken
with sobs which in an instant followed
gay laughter The toast was original
and was a beautiful, simple tribute to
the constancy of mothers love. Five
minutes later the girl was dead.
Miss Powell had been to the Clark
street place once before. She went
there last night with Mrs. c. H. Wells,
a wealthy widow of 81 years, who has
been studying music in Chicago, and
Mrs. Wells lives at the Aims hotel,
Walnut hill Cincinnati, and has rela-
tives of prominence. Miss Powell had
been educated in exclusive eastern
schools and is said to have been un-
usually bright and accomplished. The
news of her death brought the keenest
sorrow to her mother, who was in
formed of the tragedy soon after it &C.
CURED. and caused great surprise
among her acquaintance.
MRS. WELLS TAKEN INTO Gus
TOBY.
Mrs. Wells is being held at the an
mex to the Harrison street police sta
ton. She maintains that Miss Powell
did not take any drug while with her
and expresses the opinion that death
resulted from natural causes. An in
quest was commenced this afternoon
and this may solve the mystery. DR.. E.
P. Noel has been directed to hold a
post-mortem examination.
MRS. WELLS TELLS HER STORY.
The story leading up to the end of
the girls life is not commonplace. 1t
was told by Mrs. Wells between sobs
and frequent expressions of remorse at
the Harrison street station annex to-
day. Mrs. Wells is petite woman of
neither the pronounced brunette nor the
blonde type. She was attired in a
gown of black silk, and diamonds glis-
tened on her hands and from brooch
at h. throat.
Il met Mabel week ago Monday"
said Mrs. Wells. I'VE were intro
duced by friend in my apartments
at the Great Northern. I liked the girl
at once She was so lively and cheer
full and the best company one could
wish. 1 met her often, and twice I
went to dinner at her home in Drexel
boulevard. Mabel and I went down
town in the evening, and she remained
all night with me at the hotel. The
second time this occurred, Mabel told
me her mother was angry about it, and
had told her she need not come home
any more if she did not do differently.
I saw that she felt very badly over the
trouble, and induced her to share my
apartments at the hotel
THE WOMEN SEEK EXCITEMENT.
I'VE met many friends during the
two weeks that followed. We both
loved excitement, and went out every
evening. Last night we met two men
at the Auditorium annex. We had
several drinks and left them at mid
night. We started for the hotel in a
cab, but Mabel said she did not want
to go in then. SO we went to AL Aus
tins and the Social, and from there to
AL Clark street
While we were at the Auditorium
annex, Mabel had seemed to be blue
and moody. She withdrew from the
table where we were sitting with the
men, and, turning around, pretended
to swallow a powder. I told her not
to do so, but she laughed and, coming
over to me. whispered: 1t is all right
I took phenacytin. 1t was only a bluff
for the boys
I thought nothing more of the Incl
dent and certainly Mabefs actions did
not indicate that she had taken any,
thing like an opiate. We drove to All
Clark street. There were no men
there, and we went to the ball room.
There was dancing and drinking. and
it was the merriest crowd imaginable.
All spoke of Mabel's grace and beauty.
She danced the two-step and enter
tanned the whole party with her sing
Ing and chatter.
PROPOSES TOAST TO MOTHERS.
Suddenly the expression on her face
changed. 1t lost the flash of gaiety
and the difference at once attracted