The Findlay Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio) 1870-1881, 1876-09-22
THE SUICIDE OF THE
PONT NEUF.


Point Neuf. 1t was dismal, foggy
morning, damp and chill, and few
people were abroad.
As Cabrion reached the middle oi
the bridge, he noted by the light oi
the waning oil lamps which sparsely
illuminated the roadway, a figure
leaning against the railing in the shad'
ow of one of the little sentry boxes
which are posted over every pier OF
the bridge 1t was the figure of a wo
man in ball dress, and without shawl,
head dress, or other protection from
the inclemency of the weather.
In utter amazement at this singular
appearance, the young man paused,
and was about to cross the bridge and
speak to the stranger, whom he sup
posed to be some street walker OF un-
fortunate woman, when, with a sud-
den spring, the woman leaped upon
the rail, and, with a sLrill scream,
plunged overheard.
The tide was on the ebb, and flowed
swiftly through the arches of the
bridge. In moment Cabrion could
distinguish by the dim light of early
morning dark figure drifting from
under the gloomy arch, and floating
past the barges of the city laundresses
which at that time as now, copgrega
ted about the Point Neuf.
Quick as thought the young man
threw his cloak upon the bridge, kick
ed off his boots, and dropped from the
parapet into the water.
For moment the Icy flood took
away his breath, but be quickly recov
cred and struck out in tn. direction
the body had drifted. He found it
within hundred yards of the bridge,
lodged between two barges, and cling
ing to the rudder gear of one with its
lifeless hand.
Cabrion's calls for help soon sum
moned one of the boatman from the
cabin of the barge, and rescuer and
rescued were dragged aboard.
The warmth of the cabin and the
combined efforts of Cabrion and the
boatman recalled the errant blood to
the would be suicides heart, and little
by little her breathing became regular,
aud she opened her eyes.
"Where am II" she asked, How
came here!"
by accident, Mademoiselle," re-
turned Cabrion. do not disturb
youreelf. will explain as soon as we
can reach some place where you can
be more comfortable.
The woman stared at him fixedly,
but made no reply, and suffered her.
self to be assisted to cab which the
boatInan had summoned BY Cab
rion's ordered the cab proceeded to
his hotel, where room was secured
for the stranger. Within two hours
later the unfortunate woman fuccomb-
ed to the exposure and nervous ex-
of the past night, and fell |
into a raging fever.
In her fevered rawlings, during
which she was watched alternately by |
Cabrion and the porter's wife of the
house, the sick girl spoke frequently
of some one Langlaume, who seemed
to have inflicted great wrong upon
her; but never by any accident reveal
ed her own name.
On the second day after her rescue
Cabrion repaired to the office of the
Petite Journal, where he was employ
ed, in order to make his excuses for
his absence. While lounging in the
editorial rooms lie picked up copy of
the paper of the day before, and
among the first extracts upon which
his eyes fell, read, Murder"
''On the Il orning of October 90, NJ.
Etienne Langlaume, the wealthy
and proprietor Of the Cafe
Grenier, in the Place Vendome, was
found extended upon sofa in his
dead. He had been
shot with one of his own guns, which
had been taken from a little armory
Of curious weapons which he had col
ected. No trace of his murderer has
been discovered. The dead gentleman
lad evidently been shot while asleep,
md his countepance exhibited no
igns of pain"
Cabrion read and re-read these lines
n a specie of mental stupor. When
,e recovered his self-possession, how
'ver, lie jumped to a conclusion at
'nce, and determined to come at the
)otto OF the story &;
Next day his patient was much bet
er, and the physician who was in at
enhance on her declared her out of
langer. Within a week she was so far
ecovered that Cabrion resolved at
'nce to satisfy the doubts that were
him, and asked the favor
# private interview. This was
and he found his patient,
'ropped mp with pillows, seated at the S
window.
Il am happy that you have come,
she said. 'How can |
ver thank your great kindness?'
81 do not desire thanks at all, Made I
noiselle. My best reward is in seeing {
'ou recovered" {
81 am recovered in BODY, but i'm d
mind - =
SIN mind?"
The woman started, and her pale face ,
under the searching glance {
'e bent upon her, but as she made no I
eply he went on:
do you know anything of this,
fademoiseller he asked, at til. same ,
lnIe handing hei the extract from the I
'etite Journal, which he had clipped T
nd preserved for the purpose. e
How should l know anything of {
y" she filtered, after llasty glance a
the lines. what right have you
ask ine such "A question:"
From what You spoke during your
iness, l fancied you might be able to
XDlain it-fI,nt il aII {