SOLVED. This short story was about a woman who bought poison and killed her lover. The town could smell death for quite some time, but didn't interfere. [s]

[Rose]

This short story was about a woman who bought poison and killed her lover. The town could smell death for quite some time, but didn't interfere. Eventually they broke into the home and found the corpse of the man in bed. The story was in a book containing several short stories by many different authors.

Thanks for any assistance.

[Michelle Mulford]

Ahh, memories of college English class . . .

I believe this is "A Rose for Emily," by William Faulkner.

[Rose]

Thanks very much...yes, that is exactly what I was looking for.

[Ann aka Iftcan]

that was one seriously warped story. Since when the townfolk broke into the house (after the woman hadn't been seen for a while) they found the lover's corpse in her bed--and it was obvious that she's been sleeping with him after he died.