Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1888-08-11

uOIIOT anu eAcldlIlluS NY =,
is Bertha Kelsey! For Gods sake tell
me how did she die, Mr.. FLASH? :,
"She was murdered" ANSWERED. ana
L watched to see the effect OF my Words
on the young man. Verder seemed
stricken with grief as the full meaning
of my words dawned on his apparently
dazed mind. Then looking me in the
face, with quivering lips he stammered;
do you-you do not think l murdered
her?"
"The officer may not, but 1 do,
interrupted young woman who had
been silent witness of the proceedings.
Recovering myself from the surprise
occasioned by the young woman's words.
I demanded that she come forth and
tell upon what she based her accusation.
Complying with my request she said:
"My name is Jeanne Lefarve, and 1
knew this poor girl Bertha whom this
base seducer cruelty murdered.
When told her to be more explicit and
tell all she knew about the case she
began:
Il had an appointment with an old
schoolmate, through whom L was to
secure work at embroidery, near the
rustic bridge at the scene of the crime,
at half past eight. on the evening Of the
murder. While walked up and down
to keep warm, as the night was trifie
chilly, saw the prisoner here with
Bertha approach and disappear under
the bridge. They had been out of my
sight but few minutes, 1, In the mean
time, being unable to move or speak at
the horrible thought that Bertha would
yield herself up to such villain, when
the poor dead girl rushed forth and en-
deavored to escape the prisoner, who
followed hotly. Shortly after they
had disappeared in the dark
ness, I heard Bertha scream,
and thinking that her pursuer had ac-
complished his purpose, and that could
be of no avail, but also fall a victim to
his lust, I not daring to wait longer,
made my way to the city and home.
Fearing this morning that Bertha might
have met with greater mishap, if death
is greater, I came here only to find that
she had been cruelty murdered"
AS the young woman had nothing
further to impart for the time being she
was excused, nevertheless, however, I
was not favorably impressed with her
story. Eugene Verder I now called
upon to answer the terrible charges
made by the voluntary witness. He ac-
knowledged having gone to the rustic
bridge with the dead girl, having met
her by appointment there, but with vi
gor he denied any knowledge of her
death or the causes that led thereto.
Suddenly I hit upon an idea, and the
next moment pronounced the words:
"a rat, ratp' in shrill voice. In sec
ond Jeanne Lafavre was standing upon
the chair upon which but moment be-
fore she had sat. A smile of satisfac-
ton passed over my face. I now stepped
forward and began to question her and
I noticed that she became a trife nerv-
Gus.
Il see, madam" I began, "you have
new gloves. I like the shade. Where
did you buy them, MADAME"
I'm the city, this morning. Ileft my
others at home in my haste"
Were they the color of this?" I
asked, producing the small piece of kid
I had found. The young woman
slightly flushed but maintained her
GOODNESS, and before she could answer I
looked at her small foot as it peeped
from beneath her skirt, and said:
81 see madam wears boots with high
heels, and as madam stepped upon the
chair just now I saw that one of the
brass protectors was missing. VIII you
be king enough to permit me to exam
inc the heel of your left shoe?"
At this the young woman broke down
completely, and as I produced the
blood-stained piece of brass it was not
long before complete confession
was wrested from the unfortu-
nate woman. Briefly told it was
as follows: Jeanne Lefavre and
Berth Kelsey had been friends,
but Bertha, firing of the jealous care,
panion, and longing for one of the oppo-
site sex, had met Eugene Verder and
fallen in love with him, to the disgust
and horror of Jeanne Lefavre. On the
night of the murder Bertha had made
an appointment with Eugene Verder at
the rustic bridge, where Jeanne La
favre had followed.
When the latter saw that Bertha had
yielded to the passionate appeal of Eu-
gene she became as one demented, and,
after the lovers had parted, followed
Bertha and with the dagger with which
she had come prepared, she plunged it
into the back of her victim, and, as the
stricken one lay PROSTATE, with her
brass-shod heel kicked the face of the
dying woman. Her vengeance was not
yet complete, for, as she left the bleed
ing body of her victim, she determined
upon double sacrifice. Eugene Yer
der should die for loving the woman for
whom she had strange and fatal infat-
uation. As I was about to place her
under arrest she made swift move
ment with her hand, and. drew q tiny
vial of prussic acid which she had Sc
GREETED about her and placed it to her
lips before could prevent, and sank q
corpse at my feet.
It is needless to say that Eugene
Verder's innocence was entirely estab-