The Benton weekly record. [volume] (Benton, Mont.) 1880-1885, 1880-05-28
A 'EERUE BILL: m-
A Story OF
Evidence.

49,. a TERUE BILL: ..-"
A Story of
! GircMmsHnntfaH Evidence.
| information reached the French police
that early Oh the morning Of the fifteenth
Of April the Baroness de G. was lying
dead in her bed, strangled with piece Of
ribbon. She had been married as . widow
TO Baron de c., and was about twenty,
eight years old, very pretty, of engaging
manners, and both she and her husband
were known far and wide for lavish hos
pitaIity.
Three weeks before the murder the
baron set out for Russia, where it was said
that he inherited some property from a
relative. During the absence of her hus-
band the baroness kept very much at
home, with Ernestine Lamont, a beautiful
girl of the most innocent and simple man
ners, who had been educated and protect
ed by her. On the night before the MUIR
der the baroness went to the opera. Er-
nestine, who was not very well, did not
accompany her; neither did she sit up for
her, as the baroness had private key,
and did not wish the young lady to be
disturbed.
1t was the custom that when the baro-
ness, on ;lWaking in the morning. rang.
her bell, Ernestine went first to her bed
room. When, on the morning after the
murder, no bell was heard to ring, the
servants wondered, and ut last one OF them
went up to Ernestine's room to ask the
cause. 1t was empty. Thinking that she
was gone, as usual, to the baroness bed
room the servants went thither. There
the shutters were still closed, and the
llight-lamp burning OH a little table by
the bedside. On the floor lay the lifeIess
body Of the baroness. TIE girl now
screamed for help; the other servants
hurried up stairs, and on opening the
shutters it was seen that the baroness lay
dead, evidently strangled with IL piece Of
ribbon, which was at once recognized as
belonging to Ernestinc, who was lying in
Il swoon on the floor,
On coming to herself, it was naturally
that she would be able TO throw
some light on the matter, but, to the sur
prise of all, she showed Il nervous hesitation
hardly to be reConcilcd with innocence.
On further examination, it was found that
the secretaric stood wide open, and that
quantity Of paper 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 a moments hcsi-
tation they pronounced that one Of the IN
mates Of the house must either have COM
nlittGd the crime, or at least been an ac-
complice i'll it. Evidently, also, there had
been robbery added to murder; and, there
fore, it was thought right to search the
boxes of each member OF the household
The servants were all willing, but when
it came to Ernestine,s turn to deliver up
the keys, the young lady showed strange
to do so. OF conrse the
police persisted, and in very little time
discovered large sum of money and sey-
eral jewels belonging to the murdered lady
secreted 1T the bottom Of her box.
GLOW does mademoiselle account for
this money!" was the first question put
to her
~ do not klow--I cannot tell Pray
do not ask me" was the hesitating reply.
The suspicious already attached to her
were now considerably strengthened, and
the police only discharged their duty i'll
her. The case was tried, and
Ernestine Lamont found guilty.
4 young lawyer named Bernard, whose
Of Ernestine's previous charac-
ter made it very hard for him to believe
her guilty, resolved to see her. After
some little difficulty, permission was
granted him TO visit the condemned il
prison. But If lie went tlither with any
faith in her innocence, he left the prison
without i doubt other guilt. Her answer
to his questions were evasive and ull-
Oh reaching home late that evening he
found a note lying on his table. It was
from Ernestine, and ran Us follows:
"-Ny Dear Friend Il feel that owe YOU
At least some explanation for my strange
conduct, and will therefore put you i'll
possession Of the facts of the case. Il IS
only torestalling my intention. This let-
ter would have been delivered to you after
NY death.
You are aware Ut tile circumstances
which made me regard the baroness asa
mother, You are aware, too, Of her hus-
bands fatal propensity to the gaming
table. L passion Which ia course Of time.
led to III estrangenlelt between them.
Tho baroness was very beautiful, and still
and falling to find that love and
affection which she hoped her husband
would show Her, formed ;sn unfortunate
intrigue. | Vas horror-sttllck when she
ae ot this; but ID was not for me
to blame her. sit might be expected,
no good could possibly result from tliis
attachment. Her lover proved unworthy.
Of her confidence, and succeeded, whether
III threats vi lnenaees. 4 know net, il Oh
tanning from her large sums Of money.
1t was but II few days before her death
that She eontfded this to lie, and 1T the
same time begged me to take care ot her s
jewels and money for hei III fiy aoA,slss y.
She dreaded lest her sortlid lover should
obtain possession IF them. I'he last time
saw her alive vas OH the night she Vent
to the opera. .Atwflaf hour slle returned ~
/ know not, for sle always h;ia ! private. a
key With her The rest you know,
Hence. dear friend yoa VIII n,tdei'1
stand my reluctance to have my boxes
searched, and my egasiye answers ~ A. 81
tie money and jewels found u. them.
Had told the truth, should / tlaAt '
been belieyesif Not AildsloN tottla Il
say anY Hing tllit would ilisaollols flts
GOOD nane of one who laas been lttol1e