The Washington times., 1920-09-06

The woman is Nine. Bessarabo, who
for some time past has been cele-
brated fgure In Paris salons not only
on account of her wonderful beauty
but also because of her reputation as
novelist and playwright. She Is
charged with the murder OF her nus
band. wealthy business man. by
shooting him in the head. Her ar
rest and dramatic confession are still
the talk of Paris.
When the news first leaked out
there were many conflicting stories
regarding her crime and her past. 1t
Is no-y possible for the first time to
give a connected narrative OF one OF
the most amazing affairs OF modern
times, an affair which started in
mystery and which has ended in stark
tragedy.
SMILED THROUGH 1T ALI.
A few weeks ago Paris was discuss
ing the mysterious disappearance OF
the wealthy NJ. Bessarabo, the popu
lar husband of the strikingly beauti-
full novelist. whose works are now
so much in demand. The most uncon-
cerned person in what was regarded
as a very mysterious AFFAIR was Nine
Bessarabo herself. Friends OF the
dead man made frantic search for
him and called in the aid OF the po'
lice. Madame smiled and said every
thing would turn out all right In the
end and continued with her gay iittle
dinner and luncheon parties as usual
Apart from, her beauty and literary
gifts, Nine. Bessarabo had also the
reputation OF being a sorceress OF no
small powers. and many OF her ac-
auaintances talked in whispers OF the
remarkable seances, resembling
"Black Mass" regularly held in her
house. and at which she oniciAted as
the "high priestess." But whatever
her reputation as a sorceress. certain
II was that the police had no sus-
picion that she had any responsible
part in the strange disappearance OF
her husband.
A few days ago, however. a start
ling message was brought to the po'
lice by the chauffeur of the missing
man. "My master told me- said the
chauffeur. "that IL ever he was miss
ging' I was to come to you and accuse
his wife and stepdaughter of fou
play" The chauffeur had fulfilled
his masters instructions to the let
ter as soon as It had become apparent
that the absence of M. Bessarabe
could not possibly be connected will
any of his well-known business ven
lures.
MYSTERIOUS TRUNKS.
Thus apprised, the police took
special steps to have the beautilu
Nine. Bessarabo carefully watched
At the same time cautious inquiries
were put into operation by one OF the
smartest detectives in the Frencr
capital. -,
These inquiries resulted in the dis
covery that soon after the date OF the
disappearance of the husband the
mother and stepdaughter had driven
away from their home with two large
trunks.
One OF these trunks was traced &c
Nancy railway station. There 1t was
found in the cloakroom with labeI
marked. ITO be left unit! called for.
The writing was seen to be in the
handwriting of Nine. Bessarabo her
self. and the trunk was promptly
opened by the police.
The raising of the lid revealed
terrible sight. There, tightly packed
and securely roped, was the dead body
OF the missing man. A bullet wound
was found in his forehead and 1t was
evident that the revolver that hrec
the shot had been fred at close range
When the detective returned &c
Paris Il was to discover that Nine
Bessarabo herself had disappeared
She was, however, quickly traced tc
her luxuriously furnished country
villa a few miles out OF Paris. She
was arrested with her daughter ano
later confessed to the crime.
with the facts which have now
come into the possession OF the police
together with the voluntary state
ments Of Nine. Bessarabo herself, tho
details of the crimes have been re-
constructed.
WIFE HAD VISIONS.
II appears that when the dead mar
married Nine. Bessarabo she was
widow OF NJ. jacques from whom she
had inherited largo fortune, From
the first the marriage was a very un'
happy one. NJ Bessarabo discovered
his wife was not only Of a very neu.
rotic disposition, but used frequently
to talk OF the strange visions which
came TO her during the night. Also