The White Rose of Memphis

“‘I have very often seen them meet in our garden; can’t say exactly how often, though I can positively assert that they met as many as three times. The last time I saw them meet was but a very few days before Miss Bramlett’s little brother died; don’t know the exact date, but am sure it was less than a week before her brother’s death.’

“‘If you ever heard any conversation between Miss Bramlett and Mr. Bowles, please tell what was said by each of them?’

“‘I distinctly remember one occasion when I heard a conversation between them, but I think that most of the talking was done by Miss Bramlett. To the best of my recollection, it was about the 1st of February, at night; the weather was uncommonly warm and oppressive; I was suffering with a severe headache, and I concluded that probably a stroll in the garden would have the effect to ease my sufferings. After walking about in the garden for some time, I went into the summer-house and took a seat on one of the low wooden benches that stood near the wall, which was covered with honeysuckle vines, under which I was partially concealed. I had been there but a few minutes when I heard footsteps sounding on the ground, and was very much frightened when I discovered a man coming toward me from the extreme rear of the garden. He approached to a spot within five paces of the summer-house, and halting, instantly gave a low whistle which I suppose was a signal to notify Miss Bramlett of his arrival. As soon as he halted, I discovered that it was Mr. Bowles. I suppose he had been there somewhere about five minutes, when I saw Miss Bramlett coming from the house. She approached the spot where Mr. Bowles was and entered into a whispered conversation with him, all of which I could distinctly hear. She commenced the interview by urging him to fulfill a promise of marriage, which she alleged he had made, and which he did not deny. He made many protestations of love to her, which she returned in very earnest language, and after the conversation had run on the subject of love and marriage for some time, she asked him how strychnine was used to kill rats; then she brought the conversation round to the effect such a poison would have on the human system. After a while she put the question to him directly, by asking him how much of the poison it would require to kill a man; and then she asked how much it would take to kill a child under ten. She also asked him if a doctor could tell when a person had died from the effects of strychnine. Mr. Bowles endeavored to change the subject by asking questions about other things, but she invariably whipped round and came back to the subject and persisted in talking about it, until Mr. Bowles in an angry tone threatened to depart and leave her unless she would hush talking about poison.

“‘“Viola,” said Mr. Bowles, “I do not like to have you talk that way – it makes me shiver to listen to it!”

“‘After they had conversed there about thirty minutes, he invited her to accompany him to his apartments, which she consented to do, and passed out through the garden and disappeared down the street.’

“‘You may take the witness, if you wish to cross-examine her,’ said Mr. Quillet.

“‘Have you been friendly with Miss Bramlett all the time since she came to reside in your husband’s house?’

“‘I cannot say that we were all the time friendly, for we did frequently have little disputes about matters of a trifling nature; but I never for a moment harbored any ill-will or malice toward Miss Bramlett. I, of course, did not approve of her conduct, and many times have remonstrated with her about the impropriety of it, but instead of thanking me for my good advice, she would fly into a passion; with that exception, our relations were undisturbed.’

“‘Mrs. Ragland, have you not often borrowed large sums of money from Miss Bramlett?’

“‘Well, I do not know what you would consider a large sum of money – people have different ideas on that subject, you know.’

‘“Very well, then; just tell us how much money you did borrow from her!’

“‘I remember borrowing five hundred dollars from her on one occasion.’

“‘What did you do with that five hundred dollars?’

“‘That is none of your business, Miss Wallingford; you have no right to be prying into my private affairs.’

“‘You must answer the question, madame,’ said the judge.

“‘I could not tell now, to save my life, exactly what I did do with it.’

“‘Did you not borrow the money expressly for Benjamin Bowles?’

“‘No, I did not. Why should I be borrowing money for him?’

“‘That is the very thing we are endeavoring to find out. Did you not borrow as much as five hundred dollars from Miss Bramlett on two different occasions.’

“‘Perhaps I did.’

“‘Don’t you know you did?’

“‘Well, yes, I believe I did.’

“‘Have you ever paid any of that money back?’

“‘No; I have not.’

“‘About one week before the death of Miss Bramlett’s little brother, did you not borrow from her one thousand dollars?’

“‘I think I did.’

“‘Don’t you know you did?’

“‘Yes.’

“‘What did you want with it?’

“‘I do not now remember exactly what I did want it for.’

“‘Did you not borrow it for Benjamin Bowles?’

“‘No, I did not; but I dare say I got it to pay for a set of diamonds, or something of the sort.’

“‘Were you acquainted with Mr. Bowles before you were married to Mr. Ragland?’

“‘No.’

“‘What was your maiden name?’

“‘Helen Herndon.’

“‘Are your parents living now?’

“‘No, they are both dead.’

“‘Where and when did they die?’

“‘In the State of Louisiana, ten years ago.’

“‘Were you ever acquainted with a woman named Victoria Totten?’

“At the mention of that name, Mrs. Ragland’s face turned ghastly pale, and she gave a sudden start, as a person would when stung by a wasp, but she promptly answered:

“‘No.’

“‘Did you ever reside in the city of New Orleans?’

“‘No.’

“‘Have you ever been in that city?’

“‘Yes.’

“‘Now, Mrs. Ragland, will you state on your oath that you never did reside in New Orleans as the reputed wife of Benjamin Bowles?’

“‘Yes, I will; and I do not thank you for asking me any such a question!’

“‘I do not wish or expect any thanks from you, madame, but I merely want to get at the truth. Mrs. Ragland, did you ever see a copy of Bolivar Bramlett’s will?’

“‘Perhaps I have.’

“‘Don’t you know you have?’

“‘Suppose I have: what does that signify?’

“‘Just answer the question, if you please.’

“‘Very well, then – I have seen a copy of the will.’

“‘Did you not send to New York for a copy of the will, and pay ten dollars for it?’

“‘Oh, yes, I declare, I had forgotten all about it!’

“‘Yes, I dare say you had forgotten all about such a trivial little circumstance; but I want you to tell the jury what object you had in view when you paid ten dollars for a copy of Mr. Bramlett’s will.’

“‘I cannot remember precisely what I did want with the copy, but I suppose I was prompted by sheer curiosity.’

“‘Is this the copy of the will that you received from New York?’

“Lottie handed her a large bundle of papers, containing at least a dozen sheets of paper covered with writing, the last one being sealed with red wax, to which was attached a blue ribbon, just below the notary’s signature.

“‘This looks very much like the copy I received, though I could not swear positively that it was the identical document. If it is the same paper, some thief has stolen it from my bureau drawer; and I should like very much to know how you got possession of it.’

“‘I dare say you would, and I promise that you shall know all about it very soon. Who, under Bolivar Bramlett, would inherit his immense wealth, if Miss Bramlett and her brother had both died childless?’

“‘I believe it would have come to my husband.’

“‘Don’t you know it would?’

“‘Yes, I suppose I do.’

“‘Then your husband would have been the possessor of a very large fortune, if those two children had died childless?’

“‘Yes, I suppose that is the way of it.’

“‘But you did not want those two children to die, and leave your husband to be bothered with the management of such a large fortune?’

“‘I do not know that I ever gave a thought to that subject.’

“‘Well, were you not frequently in need of money?’

“‘I don’t know that I was frequently in need of money, though I did sometimes borrow a little from my niece.’

“‘Why did you not get money from your husband when you stood in need of it, instead of borrowing it from Miss Bramlett?’

“‘My husband was not in a condition to let me have money.’

“‘Then how did you expect to pay the money back that you borrowed of Miss Bramlett?’

“‘I do not know that I ever gave a thought to that subject.’

“‘Were you ever in a gambling house on Canal street, New Orleans?’

“‘No, I was not; and I should like to know why you ask such absurd questions of me?’

“Be patient, madame, and it will all be very plain to you in a short time. What number shoe do you wear?’

“‘Number four.’

“Lottie then opened a little portmanteau which the coachman had brought in that morning, and placing it on the floor near her, took out a pretty little number three lady’s boot, and handed it to Mrs. Ragland.

“‘Please examine that boot and tell me whether or not you ever saw it before?’

“‘La, yes, indeed, I have seen it before! it is mine – it was stolen from my boudoir, and I should like very much to know the thief.’

“‘You shall see the thief before you leave the stand; but tell us what is the number of that boot?’

“‘It is a number three, I believe; I know it is too small for me – I could not wear it, for that very reason.’

“‘Have you not very often worn this boot, along with its mate?’

“‘No, I don’t think I have, because they hurt my feet so that I could not wear them.’

“‘Then will you be so good as to explain how this heel came to be so much whetted off?’

“‘I cannot tell, unless it was done by Miss Bramlett, as she very frequently wore them, because her foot is smaller than mine, and a number three exactly fits it.’

“‘Are you not wearing a number three shoe now?’

“‘Perhaps I am; in fact, I know I am, because I was pressed for time this morning, and during the confusion my maid put on a pair of number threes, which I did not notice until I got out of the carriage to come into the court-room, and then I found it out, because my feet were being pinched.’

“‘How does it happen that you have so many number three shoes about your house, when you say that you only wear number fours?’

“‘You know how foolish we ladies are about the looks of our feet, and you also know that we very often thrust them into shoes that are too small.’

“‘You admit, then, that you are now wearing number three shoes?’

“‘Yes.’

“‘I see that you have lost the set out of that beautiful ring on the third finger of your left hand; will you be so good as to let me examine it?’

“‘Now I should like to know what you want with one of my rings?’

“‘You must let Miss Wallingford examine the ring, madame,’ said the judge as he leaned over his desk and watched Lottie with eager looks.

“Mrs. Ragland took the ring from her finger and handed it to Lottie, at the same time casting on her a gaze of intense hate.

“‘Where and when did you lose the set out of this ring, Mrs. Ragland?’

“‘I lost it somewhere about the 1st of last February, but I do not know where I lost it.’

“‘Would you recognize the set if you were to see it again?’

“‘I would, if I were to find it in an African desert, for it is a genuine diamond, for which I paid three hundred dollars.’

“‘Did you ever pass through a secret opening at the back part of your garden, and enter the street that leads near it?’

“‘Why should I pass through that way to get into the street, when we have two gates that open into the front street?’

“‘I did not ask you why you did it, but I asked you if you ever did do it?’

“‘Very well, miss, then I answer, No!’

“‘Did you not frequently visit Mr. Bowles at his apartments?’

“‘No, I did not; and I do not thank you for propounding such questions to me!’

“‘I am not seeking for thanks, but merely wish to get at the facts. Did you ever have an interview with Mr. Bowles in the summer-house in your garden?’

“‘No, I did not; what business could I have with Mr. Bowles?’

“‘That is the very thing we are trying to find out. Is this the set that belongs to your ring?’

“Lottie handed Mrs. Ragland a large diamond set, the same that had been found by the detectives.

“‘La, yes, that is the very identical set that I lost; but I dare say that the same thief who stole my shoes took the set out of my ring!’

“‘Look at this picture, madame, and tell me if you recognize it?’

“‘Oh, yes; that is a picture of Mr. Bowles.’

“‘Will you be so good as to tell the jury how it happened to be hidden away in your bedroom bureau?’

“‘I do not know why you should choose to employ the word hidden unless you take pleasure in making insulting insinuations. I dare say the thief who stole that picture might have taken many others from the same place if she had tried, for I am sure there were many others there!’

“‘Did not Mr. Bowles give you this picture in exchange for yours, which was found in his possession?’

“‘In the first place, I did not know he had my picture in his possession, for I am sure I never gave it to him.’

“‘Now, Mrs. Ragland, don’t you remember that you had your picture put in a costly gold locket for the express purpose of presenting it to Mr. Bowles?’

“‘I do not remember anything of the sort: Mr. Bowles may have purchased a gold locket, and he may have bought one of my pictures, but I know he never received one from me.’

“‘Please examine this locket, Mrs. Ragland, and then tell me whether or not you gave it to Benjamin Bowles.’

“‘I never saw it until this moment.’

“‘You see that the words, “From Victoria to Benjamin” are engraved on the back of this locket; now, can you explain why the name of Victoria should appear on this locket, when you swear that your name is Helen?’

“‘Why should you expect me to be able to explain it any more than you could, when you have just heard me say that I never saw that locket until this moment? Mr. Bowles could very easily put my picture in any sort of a case he pleased, and if he chooses to put it into a locket containing another person’s name, it does not in any manner disturb me.’

“‘Mrs. Ragland, do you not know that you had that locket made to order, about two years ago, at the house of F. H. Clark?’

“‘If I ever ordered such a job, I do not now remember it.’

“‘Mrs. Ragland, don’t you know that your maiden name was Victoria Totten, and that you lived in New Orleans as the reputed wife of Benjamin Bowles?’

“‘No, I do not know any such thing! It is my opinion that no lady would ask a witness any such insulting question; but I suppose you are anxious to play smart.’

“A sweet smile played for a moment over Lottie’s beautiful face, and then resuming her usual calm, composed demeanor, she proceeded with the examination, without evincing any signs of annoyance at the ill-natured remarks.

“‘Mrs. Ragland, were you ever acquainted with a widow lady residing a few miles east of the city of Vicksburg, Mississippi?’

“‘No.’

“‘Please examine this letter, and tell the jury whether you ever saw it before or not.’

“The letter which Lottie handed to the witness was the one that Mr. Dabbs said he had found in the pocket of Miss Bramlett’s silk dress, in which the loan of five hundred dollars was mentioned, and the same that was signed with the letter ‘B.’ and directed to ‘Dear V.’ As Mrs. Ragland gazed at the mysterious letter, her hands trembled violently, while a deathly pallor spread over her face.

“‘This is the first time I ever laid my eyes on this letter. I suppose it was intended for Miss Bramlett, as I see that it was directed to her, and I understand that it was found in her dress pocket.’

“‘Do you recognize the handwriting?’

“‘No.’

“‘Don’t you know that it is the handwriting of Mr. Bowles?’

“‘I don’t think it is, though it somewhat resembles his writing.’

“‘Here is another letter which I want you to examine, and then tell me if you ever saw it before.’

“Mrs. Ragland’s agitation now increased until her body was shaking like one in an ague fit, while her face lost all signs of blood, and the letter fairly rattled in her hand as she attempted to read it.

“‘I never saw that paper until this very minute.’

“‘Now, Mrs. Ragland, if you never saw that letter before to-day, will you be so good as to explain how it came to be concealed in the pocket of one of your silk dresses?’

“‘How should I be expected to explain how it came there, when I did not know it was there, and when I did not have anything to do with it? I dare say Miss Bramlett could give you the information you seek, for if it was found in the pocket of my dress, you may be sure she placed it there, in order to avert suspicion from herself, and to fix it on me. You see that the letter was directed to her, and as she was in the habit of wearing my dresses very frequently, it may be possible that she left it there by mistake.’

“Lottie then, in a low whisper, requested Mr. Rockland to read the letter to the jury.

“‘If the court please’ said the iron lawyer, as he rose from his seat, ‘we now offer the letter as evidence in this case, and ask permission to read it to the jury.’

“‘Let me examine it first, if you please,’ said Mr. Quillet, as he began to exhibit signs of agitation.

“The letter was handed to him, and after reading it carefully, he said:

“‘We object to the reading of this letter as evidence, unless it can be clearly shown who wrote it, and wherein it can in any manner be made to apply to the case now on trial.’

“‘We promise the court,’ replied Mr. Rockland, ‘that we will, at the proper time, show who wrote it, and also make it clear that it applies most forcibly to this case.’

“‘You may read the letter,’ said the judge, ‘and if you can make the proof which you mentioned, it may be considered as competent evidence; if you fail, then the court will direct it to be excluded.’

“Mr. Rockland then read the letter in his deep, solemn tone of voice, which caused a shudder to shake my body from head to foot. Here is the mysterious letter:

“‘DEAR V. – Strychnine, as I have often told you, is the best medicine to rid you of rats. You may depend on me to settle the hash with the old rat, and I shall expect you to do the job for the two young ones. Exercise caution, and success is certain; be sure to remember that the stakes for which we play are of immense value. Love and fortune will be ours when the task is finished. You will be the richest lady in the land, and shall reign as the queen of fashion, as well as queen of hearts. A gilded palace in the sunny land of Italy shall be the dwelling place of my beauteous wife. Burn this letter as soon as you read it; be brave, act promptly, and we will reap a rich reward. I am dying with impatience to clasp your dear form to my heart. Yours, and yours only,

“If Mrs. Ragland had been chained in a lake of liquid fire the evidence of torture could not have been greater than that which she exhibited while Mr. Rockland was reading that letter. Her eyeballs seemed to have grown much larger, while a wild, frightened expression shot forth from them, and every little jostle made by the spectators caused her to start suddenly as if she were badly frightened. She insisted that the letter had been placed in her dress pocket by Miss Bramlett, in order to divert suspicion from herself.

“‘If,’ said she, ‘Miss Bramlett could have the heart to murder her poor little brother, it is not at all strange that she should try to fix the crime on some one else, in order to save her own neck.’

“‘Mrs. Ragland,’ said Lottie, in a tone full of gentleness, ‘did you ever know a young man named Charles Everson?’

“‘No.’

“‘Why, then, did you give such a sudden start when I mentioned his name?’

“‘I don’t know that I did any such thing; but what if I did: is it strange that I should be nervous and restless under the circumstances by which I am surrounded?”

“‘Mrs. Ragland, did you at any time wear a blue silk dress that belonged to Miss Bramlett?’

“‘No, I did not; why should I borrow any of her silk dresses when I had plenty of my own?’

“‘That, madame, is the very strange mystery which we are endeavoring to solve. Are you willing to state on your oath that you never at any time wore a blue silk gown of Miss Bramlett’s?’

“‘Have I not just now stated it under oath? How many times do you wish me to say it?’

“‘Mrs. Ragland, where did you first make the acquaintance of Mr. Bowles?’

“‘In Memphis!’

“‘Did you ever live in Mississippi?’

“‘No!’

“‘Did you ever meet Mr. Bowles at Vicksburg, Mississippi?’

“‘No!’

“‘Did you ever meet him in New Orleans?’

“‘No!’

“‘Have you ever met Mr. Bowles outside of Memphis?’

“‘No!’

“‘Were you ever engaged to be married to any other man than your present husband?’

“‘No!’

“‘Were you ever in love with any other man than Mr. Ragland?’

“‘No!’

“Lottie then whispered to me, and requested me to hurry to the library room and call Mr. Everson, who had been waiting there until he should be wanted. I met with no little difficulty in forcing my way back to where Lottie was, but by dint of vigorous pushing and squeezing among the densely packed masses of humanity, I at length shoved my man suddenly in front of Mrs. Ragland.

“As soon as she saw Mr. Everson, she sprang up from her seat, stared wildly at him for a moment, then throwing both hands up above her head, uttered a loud, piercing scream, fell back on her seat, and buried her face in her hands. After holding her hands over her face a moment, she let them drop on her lap, and I noticed that her lower jaw had dropped down, as do those of dead persons.

‘“Catch that lady there, quick!’ exclaimed the judge, ‘she is going to faint!’

“Mr. Quillet hastened forward, but he was too late, for the helpless body of Mrs. Ragland fell on the floor before he got to her. The excitement among the members of the bar, as well as the spectators, continued to increase, until the limp body of Mrs. Ragland was removed to an adjoining room.

“I never had seen Mr. Rockland lose his self-possession until that moment, but he managed to let his heart have its way then. He seized Lottie and pressed her to his breast:

“‘God bless you, my daughter! No lawyer ever displayed such skill and shrewdness as you have, and no lawyer ever received such a fee as you shall have in this case. My entire fortune shall be your fee!’

“Then he seized Miss Bramlett and pressed a kiss on her brow.

“‘Poor child, how deeply you have been wronged! how you have suffered for the sins of another person!’

“‘Sit down, papa,’ said Lottie, as she caught him by the arm; ‘don’t you see how all the lawyers are laughing at you?’

“‘Let them laugh, Lottie – I hope it will do them good; I wish it could make them as happy as you have made me.’

“I thought while the excitement was up to fever heat that I would slip through the crowd and drop a kiss on my darling’s brow, in order to show the high appreciation I had for her great talent; but she evidently divined my object, for she pushed me back abruptly and exclaimed:

“‘Do, pray, Edward, take a seat – don’t you see papa has gone crazy? and I do believe you are trying to follow his example!’

“I felt quite sheepish, because I considered the rebuke well deserved; but I took my seat, and with great difficulty managed to regain my equanimity. Colonel Buff, who was near enough to hear what Lottie said to me, gave me a punch under the arm with his thumb, at the same time making a noise as a frog does when he jumps into his pond.

“‘Eh! Demar, your boat struck a snag, I see; well, never mind, old fellow, I saw from her looks that she was not offended.’

“‘Do you wish to introduce any more witnesses, Rockland?’ inquired the judge.

“‘My daughter informs me that she wishes to introduce her brother, Harry Wallingford, as a witness, who is now waiting in the clerk’s office.’

“‘Go after brother Harry, Edward,’ Lottie whispered as she caught hold of my arm, ‘and be sure to caution him about the control of his temper. Much depends upon the manner in which he shall conduct himself on the stand.’