A SAD TRAGEDY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1182, 24 May 1884, Page 2

A SAD TRAGEDY.

New York, March 17th.—The Star prints the following account of a sad tragedy which occurred in Brooklyn on Sunday afternoon. The victim, Celia Renney, was killed by her affianced, Dennis Reilly. The latter claimed in the company of several friends to be a mesmerist. After repeated failures, Reilly drew from his pocket a revolver. 'lt is not loaded,' he said, as the persons in the party protested against its production. He again assured his friends that there was no danger. ' I'll mesmerise yon,' he said addressing Mias Renney, at whom he pointed the weapon. ' Don't,' she cried ; 'lt might go off and do damage.' 'lt can't do any harm,' the young man asserted, 'it's not loaded.' Ho then pointed the pistol at Miss Renney, cocked and snapped it, laying she would feel the mesmeric shock. ' I didn't feel anything' she laughingly asse r ted, as Reilly prepared to repeat the experiment. Twice the weapon was cecked and snapped, and still the youDg lady laughed at the illsuccess of the experiment at mesmerizing her. • Now Miss Renney,' Reilly said, preparing to cock the pistol for the fourth time, ' when I pull the trigger this time, you'll fell my power over you in every part of your body. I will thrill you through and through, You will become unconscious and you will do anything I tell you. Are you ready ! Give your will to me and you will be all right.' ' I'm ready.' Celia asaerted, closing her eyes, and Reill)' pulled the trigger of the pistol. The weapon was pointed at the girl'a head. The falling of the hammer was followed by a report and a piercing shriek from the young woman. Miss Eenney staggered and fell to the floor. Her friends rushed to her side and found the blood oozing from a wound in the middle of her forehead. There was one or two convulsive movements, a gasp or two, and Celia was dead.

The scene which followed the fatal act of the youog man was a fearful one. Reilly threwhimself upon the body of the girl, ind called upon her to answer his assurances of sorrow and affection. The officers arrested Reilly, who was insensible from grief. An examination of the prisoner's pistol showed that all the chambers but one had been empty bsfore the discharge which carried the death of Miss Renney. The victim was seventeen years of age. Reilly was twenty-nine years old.