Kimball enterprise. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1883, 1883-04-27
U%NRAVELING A PLOT.

l'NVe peen neard the Ginning OF tho bells
Indicating that a wedding was in pro-
sSess. Three months before, Justin Bert
rand, a young man, having received a
leave of absence from the regiment,
had returned to the village where he had
first seen the light of day. At q large
mansion bordering on the outskirts of
Gensac, Suzanne Gillette, a young Eng
erness for some time.
On the first meeting Justin had fallen
madly in love with the beautiful Susan
ne, and she not being opposed to his at
.tentions, after a short, but to Justin a
lphssful courtsllip, gave her hand to her
ardent suitor.
The marriage ceremonies were per-
formed amid the usual village rejoicings.
The newly welded pair took q bridal
trip to Paris. The country girl had new
er seen the capital city before, and her
wonder and amazcment may well be
imagined. The perverse instincts SUM
berlng in her were awakened by the
luxury and gayety of the immense city,
and Susanna swore to herself that she
would be rich some day.
a few months after their return home,
and after they had settled down to the
monotony of domestic life, Susanna gave
birth to a son.
The JOY of the father was unbounded,
but his JOY, strange to say was not
shared by the mother.
"He shall be called Philip, after nv
dear father" exclaimed Justin, in ecsta-
cies.
Things went on at the Bertrand home
in al indifferent manner until the end
of the month OF June, 1856, when Su-
anne desired to 90 10 Havrc, under the
preteXt that the sea air was necessary
for her heath. In this her husband did
not oppose her. Taking her child, she
departed and was never seen by her
husband again. Before leaving, how
ever, she had promised TO send her hus-
band word of her arrival. After wait
ing q sufficient length OF time and receiv.
ing no missive, Justin determined to
hasten after and ascertain the cause.
AT the moment he was about to start, a
note was handed to him. With trem-
bling hand he broke the seal. 1t con-
tanned these words:
81 have left you-forget me-"
The distracted husband, craZed with
anxiety and grief, started for Paris,
whittier he was SIRE his faithless wife
had flown, and determined that if Su-
anne refused to return, at least to OBJ.
tain possession of his son, whom he
dearly loved. He secured the great
city in vain.
No trace of the missing woman could
be found. A small fortune had been
left him by his father, and this being
nearly expended i'll the search, he was
obliged to follow some vocation to en-
able him to Gain a livelihood
After thoroughly discussing the mat
ter III his mind, he determined to fol-
low the detective profession, inasmnch
as in this pursuit he would be most like
ty to obtain somo information relative to
his child.
He had already despaired of regain,
ing the love ofthe woman who was his
wife. So it was only his son for whom
be looked now.
Years rolled on and still the unhappy
man did not give UP the search.
Often was he reprimanded by his SUI
Deriors for not following more closely
the case to which he was assigned. 1t
was because he had been in pursuit Of
some phantom clue that he imagined
would restore 70 him his son. Case after
case, Notwithstanding, he had worked
up with remarkable sagacity. The name
Bertrand haaibecome u terrort to the evil
doors of Paris.
So it was on the morning of March Is,
1878, that the prefecture of police was
thrown into commotion concerning a
supposed murder that had been com
mitted in the Rue Ges Invalides. Mad
anne de Brahal had been found in her
bed cold in death, with a poniard still
imbedded in her heart.
Bertrand thought that he would be as.
signed to this case, and accordingly
made preparations. But in this he was
mistaken; for as soon as the examining
magistrate returned from the scene Of
the murder he informed Bertrand that
his services would not at all be neces-
sary, as the murderer had been found.
This worthy parsonage was no other
than the groom of the unfortunate lady.
"And to think that the wretch could
be so ungrateful!" exclaimed the magis-
trate--'Madam de Brahal has been SO
kind to him. But how could he be such
a fool as to leave the poniard, with the in
itials on, in the bosom of his victim?
However we have him~safe in his cell.
Monsieur lie Judge will see how swift JUS
tice was in this case"
So.saying, UNDERSTANDING magistrate de-
parted for his private office to make out
his report Of the case.
Left alone, Bertrand pondered to him
self: "Why will these people do wrong?
WY commit crimes! 1ney must know
sooner or later their dark deeds will be
brought to light. l would really like to
see this groom, who would leave the inn
~plemeut of his crime, with his initials
on in the bosom Of his victim"
1t was but the effort of a moment to
have his wish gratiiied. Arriving at the
cell i'll which the young man lay, Bert
rand who expected to find some stupid,
numbering fellow, was astonished to lind
young man whose countenance and ac-
tons showed him to be possessed of
considerable intelligence and ~frankness.
'oThat is not the face Of a brutal BUTCH
err" sa.ttcrca Bertrand. Why did you
commit SO terrible a deed?" asked he.
A shrug of the shoulders was The an
swer. Looking at the prisoner straight
in the eyes, Bertrand then sid.
II do not believe that you murdered
Madame de Brahal!"
The young man started toward the de-
tective eagerly, then stopped, and cast
ing his eyes to the ground, said:
WAS NOT my dagger found sticking in
madame's bosom?"
How did it get there?" inquired Ber-
rand.
"My Godl II stabbed her."