Rensselaer Journal, Volume 11, Number 8, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 August 1901 — THE CRIME OF THE CENTURY [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

THE CRIME OF THE CENTURY

BY RODRIGUES OTTOLENGUI,

Author of “An Artlat In Crime,” “A Conflict of Evidence,” “A Modern Wired,” “Final Proof,” Etc. OwqAL ism, by O. P. Pvtaam't Bern*. AU right* reserved.

fCONTINUED.) ' ' “Arq you sure of that?” asked Mrs. Van Cortlandt impulsively, and Immediately after uttering the words she bit her lip in vexation for having permitted them to escape. "Why, yes! How should she guess?” asked the colonel, with the usual stu-

pidity of a man, falling to understand the situation, which, however, Mrs. Mltchel, with a woman’s Instinct, Instantly comprehended. She therefore quickly remarked: “Why, my dear Colonel Payton, do you suppose for a moment that a woman must be told that a man loves her ere she can herself discover the truth? Why, we are brighter than that I’ll wager that your sweetheart knew your secret—yes, perhaps before you suspected it yourself.” “But then, if that were true, why should she marry another man?” "Because you did not speak, colonel," replied Mrs. Mitchel. “A woman cannot wait forever for a man to find courage. How stupid you are, colonel! But then you are excusable on account of your sex.” She laughed lightly, but the thoughts which her words aroused In the minds of the others caused an awkward pause, which was only broken by Perdlta’s saying: “You tell us a story, Mr. Mltchel. The colonel Is stupid tonight. I agree with Mrs. Mltchel.” “I tell you a story?” said Mr. MltcheL “Well, what shall the subject be — about the little girl who gave the old hag a lift with her bundle and then found that the old lady was a fairy in disguise?” . “No. Tell me about your daughter Rose. I never knew before that she was adopted. How was it?” “Ah, my dear, that Is a sad story for such young ears! I am afraid that your mother would not approve.” “You are mistaken,” said Mrs. Van Cortlandt. “I hold that the old notion that girls should be reared In ignorance of the world is not only wrong, but that such a course is absolutely sinful. Why should a girl be kept Ignorant for years only to have her ears suddenly assailed by such a multiplicity of terrible tales as must shock her rudely? I have no fear of anything that you may think proper to relate to us. I also would be much Interested to learn your daughter’s history.”

“I am glad to find a woman who has so much sense,” said Mr. Mitehel. “You are fln de slecle in the most refined meaning of the phrase. My little girl’s story is a Bad one, though the sad parts really happened before she was old enough to know anything. She is really the child of a cousin of mine. He met a young creole in our old home, New Orleans, and persuaded her to elope with him. The honeymoon lasted long, but in time the young wife was horrified to learn that her husband bad contracted a previous marriage.” “What! The man had married before and then had persuaded this girl to elope with him!” exclaimed Mrs. Van Cortlandt. “What villainy 1” “In this particular instance It was not as bad as It seemed at the time. He was the victim of an unscrupulous woman who had married him while he was intoxicated and then kept the matter a secret In order to blackmail him In the event of his marrying subsequently. Her fiendish scheme succeeded only too well. The wife died, and my cousin was finally driven Insane by his disgrace and grief.” “Is not that a sad story?” said Mrs. Van Cortlandt. “But then, after all, the girl brought much of her trouble upon herself.” “In what way?” asked Mr. Mltchel. “You said that she eloped, did you not?" “Yes. What of that?” “An elopement always Implies a marriage away from home and without the consent of parents or guardians, and therefore a girl who elopes proves herself ungrateful as well.as,selfish. She Is ungrateful because she Ignores her obligations to those who have cherished and cared for her from childhood. She forgets the nights of anguish spent by her bedside as they watched her through attacks of illness and how her welfare was always their first consideration. She forgets that those who thus have served her through life must have love for her in their hearts and that such lava onatM u

Then, as I said, she is also selfish. She meets a man of whom she can know but little, seeing him only when he Is aiming to appear at his best. She is attracted by the glitter and the sheen of the metal, but how can she form an accurate judgment of its purity? But something about him fascinates her senses, and she mistakes this new feeling for love. He importunes, and she yields, leaving home, parents and real love behind to follow this ignis fatuus. She may even have romantic notions and Imagine that she Is doing a praiseworthy action in sacrificing herself, her conscience and her home to prove the sincerity of her love. Nevertheless there is nothing but selfishness in her act. She goes to gratify her own desires. Oh, no! Mr. Mltchel, I have little sympathy with women who so far degrade themselves as to elope. There must be something radically wrong in a girl who would do so. Why, as much as I love my daughter here I firmly believe that were she to attempt such a thing I would”— ‘‘No, no, mother! Don’t say any more. You do not know what you are saying. Mother, mother, I love you!” This interruption was a surprise to Mrs. Van Cortlandt, who could not Imagipe why Perdlta should thus cry out and then rush across to her, throwing herself at her feet, hiding her head on her shoulders and weeping bitterly. “Perdlta, my child,” said Mrs. Van Cortlandt, “what does this mean? Surely you cannot”— She stopped, appalled at the idea which was forced upon her. Mrs. Mltchel, sitting beside Perdlta during Mrs. Van Cortlandt’s arguments against elopements, had readily comprehended how the words must affect Perdlta. Deeply sympathizing with the young girl, she took her hand within her own and pressed It tenderly, noting that it trembled greatly in evidence of the nervous tension under which Perdlta was endeavoring to control herself. Therefore, when the climax came, with that finesse which her husband so much admired, she said: “Poor dear! Perhaps she is tired out. Come, Roy! Take me into the conservatory. I so much desire to see Mrs. Van Cortlandt’s orchids.” Mr. Mltchel quickly divined his wife’s intention and responded instantly to her proposal. Thus Colonel Payton was left alone with Mrs. Van Cortlandt and Perdlta. It was a trying moment for him, and it caused him acute pain to witness the suffering of his own child and to know not only that he could not claim a parent’s privilege, but that it was from his own abandonment of this girl that the present scene had been made possible. Yet, if not as her father, surely as an old friend, he might offaf her words of sympathy. Therefore he raised her tenderly and spoke to her. IXO B£ CONTINUED.! The railroad company has been continuously engaged for about a month in building a substantial track foundation across the sink hole north of Cedar Lake, and Wednesday it was deemed strong enough, but as soon as a train of flat cars went on to it, the structure went out of sight, and much more work 1 e required.—Lowell Souvenir

"We always miss you, colonel .”