A HORRIBLE TALE.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3959, 28 March 1884, Page 4

A HORRIBLE TALE.

"Silvor Pen" writes in the Auckland Herald:—Somo horrible things occur hero hoav and then, but somehow or other, thoy aro more or less in all cases characteristic of each other. Murder, suicide, or brutal conduct from man to Avoman mako nearly all tho sensations that crop up so often. This tale of soitoav is one, however, more like tho OA'erstretchcd romance of a dime novel than a real occurrence Avhich is iioav filling tho people's minds Avith horror and soitoav. Two years ago a very beautiful girl, aged about 17, camo to thi3 city, and went to live at a house Avhich does not bear a very good character, though it is quiet and private. Sho Avas reticent as to her former history, but by-and-by she told how she had fallen in love with an actor while at school in Philadelphia, avlio had implored hor to run aAvay, and marry him privately. The girl's parents wero rich and influential, and sho Avas the only daughter, her brother having been disowned by his parents long before on account of his vicious propensities and bad conduct. Tho girl refused to fly for a long time, but after a while consented. The a lllain/ avlio had deceived her, never married her, but fell in love Avith an actress, and left tho poor victim starving in New York, Avhero sho mot a gentleman Avho took her to bo his housekeeper. He gave her a large quantity of fino diamonds, and she Ayas . content, if not happy ; but one day seeing hor fathor and mother driving past her, she knew at once they had come to the city to look for her, and, sooner than face them, sho took tho train and came here. Sho Avas a modest and highly-accomplished girl, beautiful to look upon, and delightful to talk to, and so infatuated Avere the men Avho met her that many of them offered her marriage, which she always declined. She had a friend also belonging to the same class as that to which sho had fallen. The two elegant-looking women might bo seen day after day walking about, inseparable, till tho Monti's lover fell in lovo Avith Mollie, tho heroino of this sad story. Sho took no notico of him but tho friend (Kate) became jealous, and swore to have revenge. A few Avecks ago Mollie died quite suddenly and left the dying request that as she died so she might bo buried, Avithout changing her clothes. Her Avish Avas complied Avith, but her diamonds wero not found after death, and then Kate, the friend, planned Avith her lover to tako up the dead body, and rccovor the jewels, Avhich she supposed Avore on tho corpse. He hired a cab, and, taking two ruffians, prepared to rob the dead. Tho two mon groAv fearful o\ r cr the dreadful Avork, but tho half-drunken lover of Kato Avas resolute in tho determination of getting at the jewels. They dug up the coffin, prised it open, and searched the cold body Avith trembling hands and failing hearts, but thero wore no diamonds ; and, just as they Avcro shutting cloavu tho coffin lid, the man Morris (tho lover) saw a locket on tho girl's bosom. Striking a light, ho found in tho locket a clipping- from a newspaper with this notice: —"To Elizabeth 0— —, Avifo of John C , a daughter." Tho girl Avhoso corpso he Avas there to rob Avas his own sister, and Avdth her he had been enamoured. Tho shock avu.h so great that tho wretched man fell to tho ground Avith an awful shriek. When ho camo out of a stupor, lasting an hour, ho Avas quite insane, and is hoav in the Napa Lunatic Asylum. _______________________