Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1913-08-26
THE CRIME OF ELIZABETH
BY w. Henry Francis.

She had acted on no SUDDEN lIHpuise'
| in no fit Of wild, ungovernable passion,
but with cold deliberation had devised
| the manner Of his death.
Throughout the day, when actively
engaged in household duties; In the
evening when society claimed the FASH
ionable doctors handsome wife; and
during weary, sleepless nights while
she listened to the irritating ticking
of the clock or watched with aching
eyes for the narrow slit Of cold gray
light between the curtain and the
| window pane that heralded the COM
ing of the dawn; at all times and In all
places her secret thoughts were busy
with the details Of her crime.
Now the deed was done, and the
body of a man with a gunshot wound
In the chest lay all huddled UP among
the dew-spangled grasses.
She felt no regret. Regrets might
come later when she had time to think
but for the moment she only knew that
she was free. The net Of intrigue In
which she had become involved, was
broken, the troubles that had been
closing in upon her were brushed
aside, and now once more she was at
liberty.
And oh! how she had ionged for
liberty! Almost she had forgotten
what 1t felt like to be free. Yet 1t was
but few short weeks since this man
had come into her life, and at first he
was no more to her than any other
stranger. Then his commanding per-
| sonality began to grow upon her,
claiming at once her admiration and
obedience even while she strove against
him. Gradually his influence increased,
controlling her thoughts by day and
ruling her dreams by night, until she
felt that she had no power Of resis-
tance left. His way must be her way,
and his desire her law.
Now he was dead, and with her own
hand she had slain him.
How tortuous and subtle were the
thoughts that led from mere dislike to
| murder. At first she was only consci-
Gus Of q vague desire to avoid this
man. Then she came to realize that he
was too strong for her; his importuni-
ty broke down the frail barriers that
she raised. Gradually his influence in
creased and her Imagination became
obsessed by the idea Of his power.
Only when 1t was too late she began to
think about escape.
How could she escape? The question
kept recurring to her mind, but she
found no answer. In her distress she
once had thoughts of appealing to her
husband; but this idea she put aside.
| She felt that he would not understand
To his strong, unimaginative common
sense 1t would seem that there was no
dificulty. Probably he would laugh. At
| the best he would offer some sugges-
ton that was obviously, almost abb
surdly, inappropriate.
One day it occurred to her that he
might die, and for a moment she was
| conscious Of q feeling Of relief. But 1t
was only for a moment, and again her
fears closed in upon her. Like trav-
eler lost in darkness she turned to-
wards the sudden light, but even as
she turned the light was gone. This
was no beacon, but a will-o'-the- wisp.
He would not die. What had disease and
death to do with such as he, healthy
and strong, active and supple like
some wild creature of the forest?
l. But the idea recurred, this time in
different form. He might die by acci-
dent; and she began to consider what
kind Of accident might befall one OF
his manner of life. Still, all this was
idle fancy, and she was daily becoming
more enslaved. It was no use dream
ing dreams. If she would be free she
must face the situation-now before 1t
was too late.
One day she read in the newspaper
of a man who was killed out shooting,
and at first there seemed to be some
doubt whether he had been murdered
or had committed suicide. AS she read
the details of the incident a little
thought began to form itself half un-
consciously at the back Of her brain.
Next day there was further mention OF
It. but now the theory was that his
death had come about by accident. II
was suggested that, in passing through
a hedge, he had pulled the gun after
him, holding 1t by the muzzle.
From this moment she knew what
she would do. Even though the idea
revolted her, she felt an inward con-
viction that this, and this only, was
her means of escape, and that In the
end she would ;.dopt 1t. Gradually she
became familier with the idea of kill
ing him. In oubt and hesitation she
planned and s>.hemed until she saw her
way quite clearly. Then she acted
And now that 1t was over, how easy 1t
all seemed. Just the pressure Of a
finger and the burden Of her troubles
fell away. She was free once more.
}, "Free!" she. said aloud; but even as
she spoke the ringing Of bell some
where in the distance reminded her
that she must hasten. Too long she
had delayed, and there were certain
things that she must do to turn aside
suspicion These she took In order,
working rapidly, but without haste. So
we'll had all the matter been thought
out that now she had no hesitation.
First there was his watch. With deft
fingers she unbuttoned his Norfolk
Jacket, drew it from his waistcoat
pocket, and put back the hour. After
striking 1t sharply against the palm OF
her hand she put it to her ear. 1t had
stopped; 80 she replaced 1t and but
toned up his coat. This would be evil
dence of the hour Of his death. Next
she dragged the corpse so that it lay
facing the hedge. Finally she placed
the gun with the muzzle pointing to-
ward the dead man and the butt just
, clear Of the bushes.
With a critical eye she reviewed hel
work. Who could doubt how he hat
come by his death? Everything point
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