Jasper County Democrat, Volume 10, Number 14, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 July 1907 — FOILED BY A WOMAN [ARTICLE]

FOILED BY A WOMAN

“Madam, It Is my duty to arrest you!” IlsSfi \ “You dare notl” ’ V The lips were white with passion rather than fear, and the lady before me like a lioness at hay. Even' then I could not help but note the splendid beauty" of this grand lady. Tall and slender, eyes blue and flashing, almost lurid now, the spectacle she presented standing there In the middle of the apartment was more the appearance of a queen than a hunted criminal.

“I must,” I replied. “I do not doubt your innocence. Looking In your face, it is strange that any one could couple It with guilt But I am constrained to de my duty, madam, however lnlmleal it may be to my feelings.” ‘Will you allow me to change my dress?” she said In a tone almost pleasant. The hard lines around the mouth had relaxed, and the passionate glow on the face gave way to a pleasant smile. “Certainly. I will wait for you here.” “I also wish to send a messenger for a friend. Will you permit him to pass?” "Certainly.”

This was my first Interview with Eugenia Cornllle. I had seen her here for months, the leader of our gayest and most fashionable society. In her splendid mansion she dispensed the most profuse and elegant hospitality. A Spanish lady, a widow she had represented herself, and she had been a resident here almost a year. No one ever suspected her of being aught than what she seemed until one day I was ordered to arrest her as a murderess. It was now alleged that the young beauty was no other than the woman who had poisoned her husband In Havana and fled with all his wealth. An Immense reward was offered for her apprehension, and the circumstances that had come to our knowledge pointed her out beyond all doubt as the person we were In search of. Yet the person who had recognized her the evening before at the theater advised us to be careful lest she should escape us. I laughed at the idea. When the lady left me, I stepped to the window and said to my mate, who was waiting at the dpor: “The lady desires to send a messenger for a friend. Suffer him to pass.” Almost at the same Instant the door of the apartment the lady had entered _ opened, and a youth—apparently a mulatto boy—came out and passed hurriedly through the room Into the hall and from thence Into the street. It was no doubt the messenger, I thought, and I picked up a book and commenced reading. Nearly -An hour passed, and still the lady did not make her appearance, nor did the boy return. The friend she had sent for mast live at some distance, I thought, or the lady was unusually careful about her toilet, and so another hour went by. At last I grew Impatient and knocked at the door. “Madam, I can wait no longer.” There was no reply. I knocked repeatedly and at last determined to force an entrance. Strange fears harassed me. I began to suspect I knew not what It took but a moment to drive In the door, and once In the apartment the mystery was revealed. The robes of the lady lay upon the Hoof, and scattered over the room were suits of boys' wearing apparel similar to that worn by the mulatto. On a table was a cosmetic that would stain the skin to a light, delicate brown. I was foiled for a surety. The lady had escaped in the disguise of the messenger. I should have detected the ruse. I felt humiliated and determined to redress my error. I knew she would i not remain in the city an instant longer than she*could get away. I hurried to her banker’s, but found that she bad drawn the amount doe her an hour earlier. “Who presented the check?* I asked of the clerk. “A mulatto boy. It was made payable to bearer.” There was yet a chance. TLe French steamer left within an hoar. It was possible she would seek that means of escape. I jumped in a cab and arrived 1 there ten minutes before she left the wharf—just in time to assist an aged and decrepit gentleman into the cabin. There were few passengers. None of j. them answered the description of the person I sought. I stood on the wharf, watching the receding vessel until it' disappeared. I was In the act of turning away when a hackman approached me with the remark: “Mr. F., did you see that old man on board? He had a long white board and hair that fell on hM shoulders.” * “Yes.” . _ —I “Well, sir, there’s something curious about him.” ' “Why?’ • t “Why. when he got Into my carriage he was a mulatto boy, and when he got out he was an old man!” I will not use the expression I used then—lt was neither refined nor polite— > for I knew the vessel would be far out at sea before she could be overtaken. I was foiled by a woman, Nor could I help rejoicing, now that the chase was over, that she had escaped. Innocent or guilty, there was a charm, about her none could resist The spell; of her wondrous beauty affected all who approached her. It lingers In my' memory yet and I could not have the Bln of her blood upon my conscience.