Passaic City record., 1893-01-28

Bertrand lived; his death wouiu mdke
her free. and besides would make her
wealthy, two great points to be gained,
which might have strong influence on
weak minded man. was sure also
from the taking of the nugget, that
whoever he was he would be found to
have been miner or collector OF ores
or minerals. Full of my new idea, |
started out to investigate.
sI had great faith In Mrs. Bland's
honesty in the matter, but did not
think it prudent to go to her now Tor
information, for had not proved her
integrity as I had Franks, and she
might, if an accomplice, give warning
that would defeat my purpose. I went
to the few persons she was intimate with
and made cautious inquiries about her
gentlemen friends. It is almost needless
to say / found one.
tsHe was a tall gaunt fellow, and
swarthv, like those who have been much
exposed to the sunlight. He had been
a miner in Australia. Mrs. Bland had
confided to female friend that the man
proposed, but she refused him, sbecause
she could not leave Mr.. Bertrand.
now decided to go straight to Mrs.
Bland and ask if this man knew OF the
contents of the will. Tears came into
her eyes as she admitted that he did.
She had inclined to favor his proposal,
and had agreed to marry him after Dir.
Bertrand's death.
AZ found where the man had his lodg-
ing, and taking an officer made all haste
there. His room was shabby enough,
but ah, there were the minerals, as ! had
surmised. We arrested him as the muir
derer of Henry Bertrand, and after some
search among his rather mixed belong
ings found there the box with the velvet
lining.
"When that was brought forth, his
defiant manner fell away from him and
he begged for mercy like child. He
confessed all, even to brushing against
Frank Bertrand on his way home, to slip
the nugget into his pocket. At the time
of the murder he caught sight Of the
gold lump, and was suddenly possessed
Of fancy for it. Realizing later how
dangerous was its possession, he dis
posed of it to throw suspicion upon
Frank. All my theories were thus
curlously verified"
The lawyer paused, apparently at the
end of his story. There was one present
who had the general appearance of de-
tective, who had been carefully follow
ING his narrative. He asked:
ssPardon two questions, sir. How
came the murderer in the house without
the housekeeper's knowledge, and who
was it sent for the nephew2"
81 was going to tell you that present
ly," said the narrator. ''The fellow
explained that he had been determined
for some time to get MIR. Bertrand out of
the way, as that meant for him both
wife and fortune. He had been wait
ing for an opportunity. Gong to the
house that day, he found the door
unfastened aud slipped in and concealed
himself. He heard the old man give
directions to have Frank called, and
heard Mrs. Bland say she was going to
stop awhile with friend. Fortune was
favoring his plans. Not only that but
the fear came that Bertrand was relentine
towards his nephew and might spoil all
his hopes unless speedily despatched.
Frank Bertrand would be brought to
the house just in time to be accused of
the deed. 1t was the propitlous time.
stThe blow fell, the old man passed to
his reward, and he fed. To his annoy.
ance the door locked with spring
behind him, and Frank, whom he was
watching as he came, could not get in.
Then came the thought to fasten the
crime on him more severely by putting
the nugget in his pocket.
.sIt has been truly said that men COM
mitting great crimes always do some act
or leave some act undone, despite all
their precautions, that tells the tale of
their wrong doing. So this man, who
seemingly had all his plans perfect, in
his eagerness and excitement, forgot to
put on Franks person the box as well as
its contents, and now it rose up con-
elusive witness against him."
s.Now I've got question:" ventured
another listener. 'sWhat did the old
lady do with the propertys Did she
hunt up another husband, or, as some of
them do, give it to an asylum2"
ssNeither. She was really good
woman, and was struck with horror at
the villalny of the man who wanted to
marry her for her prospective money. I
think that every day, for she is now
living, she thanks the Lord that she es-
capped the fate of marrying him. She
turned the whole property over to Frank,
saying she had no doubt his uncle would
have relented toward him if he had
lived. She lives with. him, making
home for him like a mother, and they
think a great deal Of each other. The
piece OF gold and the velvet box which
played so important part in the tragedy
of their lives, still rest in their old place
in the library. Yankee Blade.