Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1902-05-06


be b hard woman to live with, and there
were constant quarrels between her and
her adopted daughter, Florence. Some
times she would make will, leaving all
her money to the young man, whose name
I forget and then she would destroy
it. having drawn another up in favor
of Florence. One night--it was seven
years ago this October-the sole servant
in the House of Fear overheard vio-
lent quarrel between Mrs. Haynes and
the girl. who was then about is years
old The woman threatened TO send for
her solicitor next morning and have a
new win drawn up. The next morning
the poor old creature was found MUIR
dered in her bed in the clock-tower cham
Der. She had been stFangled, and stab
bed as well with one of those long pins
which women use for their bonnets. This
pin was proved to have been the property
Of the girl: aud a handkerchief marked
with her name was found tightly grasp
ed in the woman's hand. Florence
Haynes herself was missing, but was
discovered afterwards in the boat house,
where she had apparently gone, intend
ing to escape by way Of the river, but had
tainted from loss of blood. for one Of her
hands had been bitten to the bone. Her
story was that she heard cry for help
in the middle of the night, and, recog-
nizing Mrs. Haynes voice, had run TO
her room, where it was entirely dark
All was still as some one rushed by her,
knocking against her. She caught at
him. There was a struggle, and her
hand was bitten, when she loosed her
hold and rushed after the murderer down
the stairs. Through an open window in
one of the rooms on the ground floor she
followed, seeing a mans figure running
before her at a distance, and still trying
to follow, she fell and tainted in the
boat house.
but the story was an unlikely one,
and evidence was very strong against
her. The two women had quarreled
The money was to pass away from her on
the next day. That night had been her
last chance, and she was forced TO admit
that she had gone, only few days be-
fore the murder, to London, at Mrs.
Haynes request, to draw out by check
nearly all the money which had lain in
the London and North Western Bank.
The reason given for this act by Mrs.
Haynes had been a rumor of a financial
panic. Florence confessed to having
brought home the money in bag, all in
notes, but swore that she had nc idea
where Mrs. Haynes had put it for safe
keeping. 1t was supposed, however, that
she did know, and had managed to Sc
crete the money somewhere. as, though
search was made in every hole and cram
ny about the house it was never found.
did one suspect the stepson!' ques-
toned the Woman in Gray.
Inquiries We're made, but no possible
suspicion seemed to attach to him. He
had been away in London for three or
four days before the murder, looking for
employment He did not know that the
money had been taken from the bank. He
had some little private means of his own,
while the girl had nothing except what
her benefactress might have chosen to
leave her. She was condemned to death,
but, through the efforts of Gordon, the
Queens Counsel, who defended her, a
great agitation was got up in her favor.
Much stress was laid upon her youth
and the fact that the evidence was en-
tirely circumstantial My uncle. who
was Home Secretary at the time, finally
committed the sentence to Imprisonment
for life"
Worse than DEATH" cried my conlpan-
ion. Might it not have been within his
power to be more lenient with SO young
a girl if he had chosen?"
probably But he believed her guilty.
He considered that she had received
mercy enough. The murderess, there
fore. remained in Working prison, and
would have been there still had she not
died a couple of years ago and escaped
the greater part of her sentence; Lorn
Abbey, which had been left to her, thus
falling into young Haynes hands"
Give years in prison! Five years of a
living death! How thankful that poor
creature must have been to diei If l
were Sir Wilfrid Amory, l don't think
l should like to remember my RESPONSE
bility for so much suffering when l lie
awake in the dark at night"
Il don't fancy my uncle has any
qualms of conscience in regard to the
affair."" l returned.
UGH she calculated, rising 81 wish
1 had not asked you to tell me the story.
1t has made me cold-cold and sick at
heart / have done with this place Of
DEATH At the inn there will be lights
and fire, and dinner, and dry shoes. Shall
we go? Come! invite you to dine with
me- mean, of course. with u.s."
ITO he continuedl