The Cleveland leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1865-1865, 1865-09-30
A TRUE BILL.

years OF age, very pretty, of engagin
manners, and both she and her husbsn
were known far and wide for lavish hosp
tAlity.
Three weeks before the murder the bsro
set out for Russia, where it was said he ha
inherited some property from q relstivt
During the absence of her husband tb
baroness kept very much st home will
Ernestine Lamont, beautiful girl of tn
most earnest and simple manners, who hst
been educated and protected by her. o.
the night before the murder, the baroness
went to the opera. Ernesiine, who VIZ
not very well, did not accompany her
neither did she sit up for her, as the baron
ess had priVsts key, and did not wish tn,
young lady to be disturbed. It was tn,
custom that when the baroness, on Awskinl
in the morning, rang her bell, Ernestin,
went first 70 her bedroom. When, on tn,
morning after the murder, no bell WA
heard TO ring, the servants wondered, anc
at last one of them went up to Efnestinei
room to Rsk the cause. 1t was empty
Thinking that she was gone, as usual, t
| the baroness bedroom, the servant went
| thi.'S4r There the shutters were still
closed. and La night lamp Burning on /
little table by the ID ~ slde. On the fool
lay the lifeless body of Ernercttne, The
girl now pcreAned for help, the other ser
wants hurried up stairs, and opening the
shutters it was ssen that the baroness lay
dead, evidently strsDgled with piece OF
ribbon, which was st once recognized as
belonging to Ernestine, who was lying in
swoon on the floor. @ g.
On coming to herself, it wss naturally
supposed that she would be able 10 throw
some light on the matter, but to the sur
prise of all she showed nervous hesits.
Iion hardly to be rsconeiled with limo
eence. On further examination, It YVES
found that the secretaire stood wide open,
and that quantity of papers and other
articles were lying about in confusion, as
if the contents of each drawer had been
hastily turned inside out. By this time the
police had arrived With scarcely mo-
ment'S hesitation they pronounced that
one Of the inmates of the house must
either have committed the crime, or at
least been an sccomplice TO it. Evidently,
also, there had been robbery added 10 muir
der; and, thef efore, II was thought right
to search the boxes of each member of the
household. The servants we're all willing;
bot when It came to Ernestine's turn to
deliver up her keys, the young lady show
ed strange unWillingness 70 do SO. of
course the police persisted, and in q very
little time discovered large sum of money
and several jewels belonging to the muir
dered lady carefully secreted at the bottom
of the box.
HHow does Msdemoiselle account for
this money 2" was the first question put to
her. ...... i. 4.--.G 81 ssll
"I do not know-I-csnnot tell-prsy
do not ak me-" was the hesitaling
reply.
Tne suspicious already attached to her
we're now considerably strengthened, and
the police only discharged their duty in
arresiing her. The case was tried and
Ernestine Lamont found guilty.
A young lawyer named Bernard, whose
knowledge OF Ernestines previous charAc-
Ter made il very hard for him to believe
her guilty, resolved 10 see her. After some
little difficulty, permission was granted him
to visit the condemned in prison. But if
he went thither with any faith in her in
nocence, he left the prison without doubt
of her guilt. Her answers TO his questions
we're evAsive and unsatisfactory. .' {.
On reaching home late that evening, he
found note lying on his table. 1t was
from Ernestine, ana ran as follows:
d HMY Dear Friend IL feel that I owe
you st least some explanation for my
strange conduct and will therefore put you
in possession of the facts Of the case. 1t is
only forestalling my intention. This let-
ter would have been delivered to you after
my death. ~ -
aYou are aware of the circumstances
which made me regard the baroness Is s
mother. You are aware, toO, of her hus-
bands fatal propensity to the gaming table,
passion which in course of time led to an
between them. The baroness
was very beautiful, and still young, and
failing to find that love and affection which
she had hoped her husband would show
her, formed an unfortunate intrigue. / was
horror. struck when she informed me of
this but it was not for me to blame her.
As might be expected, no good could pos
silly result from this attachment. Her
loved proved unworthy of her confidence,
and succeeded, whether by threats or by
menAces, l know not, in obtaining from
her large sums Of money. It was but 8 few
days before her death that she confded
this to me, and at the same time begged me
20 take care of her jowels and money Tor her
in nv box, IS she Cresded lest her sordid
lover should obtain possession Of them.
The last time l saw her alive was on the
night she went to the opera. At what houi
she returned know not, for she always
had private key with her. Ths rest you
know.
"Hence, dear friend, you will understand
my reluctance to have my boxes searched,
and my evasive answers as to the moneys
and Jewels found in them.
GHsd / told the truth, should have
bean believed Mol And how could !
ssy ANYTHING to dishonor the good name
of one who has been more than a mother
TO met Besides, did not even know the
name of her secret lover, and had never
seen him. No; il is better IS it is. am
ready to die. Ny secret to all save you
shall die with me. That you believe in my
innocence is the only comfort / have lett
me. "Iour unhappy lriendi 80
-HERNEsTIEE"
Thank God + mnrmured theyoung man
pressing the paper to his lips. iHencefOrth
/ will devote my life TO prove your limo.
cence to the world. God grant it msy not
vet be too late + -ss.sG cfs
Late though it was, Bernard at once re-
paired 20 the prefect's house. and Aftel
some difficulty procured admission. The
prefect fortunately was an old friend of Ber
nard's father, and it wss because OF TIM
tact the young man was admitted at 50 iAt'
an hour. -sss=-s7
But my good friend said the old man
sftsr patiently lstening TO Gl he had 3
say, 'believs me, it is = useless task 2tser
j is no doubt that the young woman is gull
" either as principal or As accomPlIce
sill, As yon 50 earnestly wish it, you snsl
hs permitted 20 search the apartments Q
.the murdered lady. And now good night
he added with smile, and let me- hea
The result of your Investigations :, =, - 4.
l. Early the next morning, Bernard, &C
iconpsnIed By gendArms repaired % p
baroness hoase- Everything lay exAGtf
Is il bad been left on the iAtAl morning
for the house had been and was still in h