Newspapers / The Charlotte Observer (Charlotte, … / Aug. 5, 1906, edition 1 / Page 15
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, CHARLOTTE DAILY OBSERVER; AUGUST 5, 1006. -TUli 1 BY IFTtEDElUCK TREVOH IIILI Author of "The Ci ami Exception," Tho Minority," rb Webb," Etc. (Copyright, 1905. by Harper Brother. , AH Rights. Reserved.) 1 7 ... ."chapter i. - Mont Americans ars aald to be ambltl . us for office, but I, for one. havs never f (lt the text Inclination for either public .'it? or private preferment The only ulUui-l VTrole I .ever tilled win the foremantblp or V . Jury in the Emory murder case, and '4 pray I may never again le forced to serve In ' a similar capacity. One such doubtful honor la, In my opinion,, quite sufficient for a lifetime, although I am , . free to admit It constitutes my beat U not my aole claim to fame. If I am remem , bered at all by the - next feneration It , 'Will not be a the author or a comment ' ary upon the Peralan poete which other' and better works will supplant. , Kvcn -my contributions to the srucyclopsedtaj. will not save me from oblivion, for the scholarship- of to-day Will be obsolete. " to-morrow, and I may soon be deposed y aome more modern aumomy oeur entitled to the distinguishing leUera after his name. But I venture to predict mat my experiences aa a Jury-foreman will never be duplicated, and that the trial of the Emory case will forever -remain unlnua imnni the annals of criminal law. Hut even the reflected glory of a cause celebre would not suffice to immortalize 1 ' me,. I fear, and It la with no such vain hope that I attempted to piay Historian. - 1 recornlae the vaat distinction, between the office and tha man, and I do not yet contemplate committing autobiography : the suicide of literary men. But sine I ' bad unequaled opportunities for observ ing the human forces wnleb met and struggled over what I take to be the most memorahta trial tr th age, and since tha Inside history of the case la known to me alone, I have concluded -. . that my experiences - ara . necessary to complete the record. ' ' Bo muoti by way of prelud. and more than enough"' for pages which -must - Justify themselves. .. The office of foreman In the People vs. Emory certainty sougnt the man. - But - though It sought hint diligently '. and - .vigorously, two entire panels were ex . . bausted before It -came 10 ma as tha re- ward of Ignorance and Innocence. Had I ': known what was In store for me I should certainly have read the newspapers and disqualified myself, as others did, by asserting an unalterable opinion concern ' Ing the guilt or Innocence of the accus ed. Unfortunately, however, I was ths - first victim selected from tha third panel f ' I bed -not been present whan, the other eandldates were axsmlned, and I had never beard of the Shaw murder .before '..-I entered the court room. , I shall never forget-the prosecutor's f iance of Incredulity as I made this con ession. Ha could not believe his ears, X - suppose, for ha repeated nnt question, as v though t had not already answered It. I resanted this at -the time, but to-day it ; seems quit natural and excusable. . It , certainly was astonishing- that any en ... could remain Ignorant of a tragedy which waa halna nlacuaaad from one end of. tha - Stats to the other; but I have never - , been much of a newspaper reader and at the particular period In question I ' wns absorbed In Itterarr work to the ex. ' , elusion of everything else. Doubtless tha I news had been receive jn our distant and sparsely settled part of the county ,. with, as much Interest as elsewhere, but . no echo of It had penetrated my study, . and even when I was summoned to tha . court house I did not know exactly wh my presence was required. "Do you mean to tell us that yon bava - never evetr heard of the death of Mr. Gregory Shaw J". - . This time It was the counsel -p. ; ' defence who put the question, . and the note of Insinuation In bis vole aroused ' - mr Indignation. . v -. ' ''I mean to tell you I have never heard Of If r, Gregory Shaw's existence much lean of hie death." I retorted, sharply. .' "Your writing leaves you no time for general reedetng, ah. Mr. Lambert?" "If you call the - police news of tha v newspapers 'general reading,' you ara right, sir," I snapped. ' . :- "I call It fiction." he responded, with - a giance at the prosecutor. - -fit's tha first time I ewr heard Broth er Barstow call' anything," retorted thct gentleman, 'apparently addressing tna order, and his thick, muscular neck and heavy, under-shot jaw guaranteed an untiring inalatence " on all nls client's rights. Obviously the man was - without pursonal vanity, . for his' red beard and mustache, which might have humanised his ugly features, were clone-cropped, giv ing him a hairy una unneneeaarliy brutal a chunged filaoea each would have more nearly conformed to my preconceived no tions of professional types. The one -had all the cold solemnity, the Intimidating menace, tha unsympathetic savagery of a prosecuting official as I had Imagined mm, wnue tne otner, ir not ine meal aa vocate, was at least distinctly hums and companionable. - . - As I studied the two men. however. felt thankful they could - not change piaces, ior i was convinced tnat tne prisoner would bava a better chance with Gilbert agalnat her than with Baratow in . the prosecutor srole, ana 1 was already strongly prejudiced in ravor or the sc cused. Indeed, it was almost Imnnsslbl to associate the Idea Of murder with the delicate, refined little woman 'who sat quietly watching the jury without a sign of fear. Bhe waa not beautiful not even handsome decidedly not pretty. But the calm dignity of r.er bearing, the thought rui exprsion or ner dark eyes the aim pie serenity of her whole being gave her a grace and charm far mora satisfying thsn mere beauty. The tlma was not distsnt when I was to question the mean ing of her placidity to doubt its natural ness to susnect more than a masked ex presslon in ner face. But even with her counsel standing before me and add rega ins; tha court I could not at first bring 31 y self to believe she was on trial for er life, and when this fact was forced upon me l took- reruge in tna possibility of her being the .victim of some terrible misunderstanding or ' blunder ' which would be discovered and rectified before It was too late. Finally I persuaded my self that BarstoWs initial move would serva to procure his . client's Immediate discharge and end tha ugly nightmare threatening my pea ca of mind., - "May It plea tha court: Gentlemen Of th Jury " -' Tne sound or uuoert voice startled me to the reality of my surroundings, which I must have lost In my study of the defendant s face). Then with a sink ing heart I realised that Barstow's pre liminary pisa, nad failed and that tha so tual trial was about to open. I shall never forsret m sensations at this crisis, but I was to experience many moments far mora distressing . before 1 wag ' much older. oprned en tho veranda roof and led into a bml-room altUKtpd at the liead of the main stairway. That hed-room was oc cupied by Mls Alice Kmory, Mr. fcjliaw's rrlvate aecrntary and contidenllut clerk, n fact,' gontlemen, every window of this mystery Into which you peer, every door you force, every curtain you tear aside will dim-lowi Alice Kniory, the prisoner at the bur." . AkhIr the prosecutor paused, snd tha relttxing ruatle .- and atlr Indicated . th nervous tennlon of the audience.- - "Very little waa known to the outat.ta world about Mr.- Gregory bhaw. prior to hia death," Gilbert " went on. "Beyond the fact that he wue a beohslor about forty-five years of age, active In mind and body, and ( unusually successful In bualneaa, having extensive internets In New York and other large cities, his neighbors in the country knew practical ly nothing. Hia farm at Polllcet was ap parently h fad, conducted upon business irlnclplea. Tha household consisted of three women servants (Including- ths waitress. Bettr Field), the housekeeper. tipearanc.e. Had Oeake Gilbert and he I Miss Madeline Mapes and I ask you to fiunged places each would have more j remember her name,' for you will bear of ber again and the private secretary, Alice Kmory. Bealdes these there wets In the farm buildings and ' stables, at some distance from the nuuse, five men and two women, - With these meagre facts to guide them, the police started upon , their -Investigations, and little by little unearthed a state of affairs which was undreamed ef by the dead man's neighbors, and a shock to the few who claimed to be among his closest friends. jn me nrti.pia.ee, a-wiii round in Mr. Shaw's desk Indicated tnat he was not a bachelor, as every one fiad supposed. crowded room. "He generally - bluffs to . th bitter end!" ' " '" ," A ripple of laughter rah, through the - audience, nut it waa tne Drosecutor- ' chuckle rather than his words which set me laughing with the rest. I was In no mood for mirth my dignity had bean ,r ruffled, and I felt myself aggrieved, but . : the sound of Gilbert's spontaneous aad Infectious merriment Instantly restored ; . me to good-humor, and I began to study ' the- man with keen Interest, as hs lolled , at his ease Inside the eouusers rail. ; ' He was a tall, heavily - built fellow , about flve-and-thirty years of age, his . eyes clear and kindly, his lips firm, . but formed lor smiling nls nose large hum , orously large and his1 round, clean. shavan, dimpled chin in perfect keeping . ' who tne noyisn expression or nis youtn ful satisfying face.- He was not stout, yet his large frame and his looae-flttlug, cotintryfied clothes- gave him 1 that ai- pearance, and 'lie slow, easy-going man . ner relnforoed tbe Impression. To me he ' typified the sucreaaf ur rural politician - the - vtllae-e- hail-fell-well-met - of tha happy-go-lucky sort, But as a prosecut ing official he seemed out of place. There - was nothing formal or dignified In his bearing. Indeed, I could scarcely take him - seriously, for my conception or ' prosecuting officer was a severs and judicial. Prooureur du -Ro. or a wtssred and gowned Queen's rounaet. But right .: here. I may as well admit that my Ideas ' - were based on reading, for until I re ' spondod to the sheriff's summons I had . never set root Inside a court or lsw, did not volunteer this Information at the tlma because t felt sure the . next ques tion wouin aim-lose it.- out neither oil bert nor Barstow preasew tnelr inquiries beyond the Initial fact of my Ignorance . or tne case at oar. ana before 1 anew ex actly what bad happened I had been to . repted by ontn aides and become foreman : of the prospective Jury by virtu of ba- ivw ins nrsi selected. . During tha rest of tha court day I had . nmnli nnnArtimllv In ii.riv riMka Oil- bert, and the more I saw of th man tha more difficult it became to reconcile hint with a, prosecution for murder, - The , majesty or th law seemed mocked In his genially comfortable person, and yet ,-. mere was notnina unoernmtnr In any thing he an Id or dd. I think It was hia easy scceniance or a lire-anfl-fleath re - eponalHIIly which shocked 1-- during th rnny anys 01 tne trial. 1 Know H wns Ms firm composure which . encouraged .: inn siistninea me at tne end.- A score of talesmen war examinan ami ; excused before ( had a companion In tna rox ior jurors wno nad rormnd no opln , . Ion on the Emorv cne v.,4 w and far ; hetweeni but after Theodore Hit vim tnnk his place beside me the remnlnlng seats- 1 were soon occupied. This was tint ao- oempllshd, however, -until rrerrls . Bar . stow, the counsel for the defence, had , frbaiiated hia peremptory challeneea. and e,' n forced to aecent atich candidates nn II court thought oompeten., and It was ' s,(jertioon before th Jwelfth- turor was jf-urru ann w were renuested to rise In body and take the oath of ofTlca. Aa we i wiin our ngnt nnnin lifted, a. , urp nuBn Hfiiieq over tne court room. . and I do nnt think I have n..i. enced a more thrilling moment. Instinct Ively I glanced over the silent ntidlnnc which crowded every nook and corner of th little court mom, and at the same moment saw rsnrainw wniarwr to a, young woman seated heew. him. Tn stently she rose a lonely fis-ur silhouet ted agHlnat a background of WMt face end stood watchln us Intentlv. Th"n for the first time, I think, I fully realls , ed the swful power with wh'rh wa were intrusted, and that on our nod a woman's , life depended. v ,., . , . . ': - -' . " . CHAPTER ' II. v . We hnafT no sooner resumed our seats tnnn terna tiarstow rose and began to address the court. Much, of whiit ha rild was unintelligible to a layman, but I gathered. In a genernl way, that he waa demanding the discharge of his rllont upon vnrlous technical, grounds, lie presented hia points with the sum fi.irvons HKH-reMlon which had affected me unfavorably from the start, but con rae, ll-ma nneied, and pugnacious as be waa, ha Impressed me as lining ter rllily -in earnest. Certainly thre Whs strength and virility In lun every move ment, and bis broml thiiuldcra fmprirt el a comforting sense of urlty, even tr.oitfh ine knew id- coining eonlllrt woin.l not enll for force, lha milva I 'id and plcrclnirly br irlit eyew. however, Ituiicated mental qimlilies of a IiIlIi - . CHAPTER m. The prosecutor leaned against th back ef bis chair and silently studied Ui Jury for soms moments - after bis opening words, and. although I waa not t he only person who shifted nervously In his seat during in solemn cause, i reit tnat alon disturbed the ouiet of th court: "In following this ease, gvntlsmen," hs began again,, sneaking slowly and i Im pressively, "I think It will aid you,' and l Know it will help me, ir you will strlv to remember who and what I represent. I am tbe public prosecutor of this coun tynot a lawyer with - a case to- d won or . lost. - It Is my province to seek out ths facts surrounding the commis sion or any crime and to present them to a body of men known as th grand jury, and to receive front It instruction as to what person or persons should be tried for the offence. Now murder has been don In our community the surrounding circumstances nave oeen lata oerore tne grand Jury and it has ordered me to place upon trial the prisoner at the bar. Bdt although I am firmly convinced that this Indictment- was justified, and that tbe guilty party la now nefore the court want you to understand at the outset that you are th sole judges of th facts, and that I am -here In tha nublla interest In your Interest In tha Interest, of all law-abiding citltens, "to present ' thoee facta in an orderly manner, ana as fairly and fully aa the ends of Justice demand. in otner woros, i am ior no one out the public, and against no one but th crimi nal, and you are to decide tba guilt or innocence of th accused. '. ' "Early In the morning of November t, 1SBJ. one Gregory Shaw,' a well-known resident of the village of Polllcet, In this county, was found dead In t he. private study of hia dwelling. The eodr was dis covered by a servant naur ' Field, who detected tha odor of gas escaping from her employer's study, and. finding the door locked, summoned, other members or tne household to ner assistance and forced, an entrance of th room. Mr. Bhaw was found lying face downward on the floor neaa his das-a, and, as all the gas-jets were turned .on end a deadly atmosphere ruled the room, there . waa utti question at tne moment as to tha cause of hia demise. A hasty examine tion of the premises ' disclosed a heavy rug stuffed-tip the fireplace chimney, wet blotting-paper In the a-ev-nole, and damp newspapers in the crevices of every door snd window. In fact, there were all the ll dications of ' a deliberately ' nlannsd suicide, and tha coroner, convinced that Mr. Shaw had taken his own Ufa. save permission for 4he removal of th body without holding an autopsy.' Had it not been for the presence of Dr. Walter Mac for itself, and Is its own 'answer!" re torted Barslow. , i -. . KVery note of th man-a - Voice waa provocation of wruth, but Gilbert dia pluyed no rescntmmit at. his ugljr .show Of teeth. ... .. - - "I will deny your motion for the pres ent, Mr. ' Gilbert," the Judge ' decided, after a pause. "Xou may renew It later If you choose." . The prosecutor bowed gravely and was about to resume hi address, whon Bar atow lu id a hand upon his arm. . "t)i moment, If you please," he Inter posed,. at the same time turntnv to the court. ' "Ybur honor, this Is lerlday, and It is new nearly -o'clock." In 'view of th long trial before- us, I suggest that the jurors be discharged until Monday. "Poes tha prosecution agreer" inquired the coin. - r t ..... .!.,. .f,t'.-ft., : Gilbert glanced at his watoh. ". A "I have no objection," he responded, "provided the Juro?rs be Instructed to return on Monday prepared to stay bars until th trial ends."1 - - .: vv , . "I will consent that the y jurors -; b Slven their- entire liberty,"". Interposed arstow as the Judg paused. "If ,. th prosecutor will .agree."- ':.,.-, -i'1.,,,-, , "I would Ilk to be equally accommo dating," Gilbert answered, with a smile, "but I submit It is not practical fop these gentlemen to com and go as - they please. This trlnl will be endless If w have to wait each morning for their an. pea ranoe. -They are. from widely scn. lered -parts- of the.. County. 8ome of them - are farmers, ' soms ara . business men,' and" .- .'- -1 . - "They'll all be lawyers before this trial ! ended," Interrupted Barstow. . , - "But they'll be too old to nractlcebe- This instrument had apparently been for that day arrives If wa act on your snd by It he bequeathed his entire estate! -"The jurors will return here on Monday to ins wife Alice, t p to date, however, i morning, prepared to stay at tna Melton no- record of Mr. Shaw's marriage has I House during the trial of this . case." been obtained, and no person of the I Judge Dudley Interpoaeu. decisively. "In nam 'Alice' has yet. appeared to claim I the meantime, gentlemen," he continued. possession of his estate.- - ''you may, retire to your home and --The calm tone in which this statement make such preparations as may ba as- was . uttered did not . lessen ire signin- propnaie. i warn you. however, not tu cane, but th speaker paused and silent-1 discuss th case or to listen to other ly studied the jurors' facet . for soms discussing It. Keep yourselves free from momenta before he 'again proceeded . Influence, - prejudice, or Impression, and "But, gentlemen,", he returned, at last, form no opinion favorable or unfavorabls "not only was Mr. Shaw's wife missing, from anything you have heard. In other but his supoosedly lare-e fortune had Words, dismiss the subiect from vaue naewiae aisappeareo..' An examination ox I minus unui you reassemDie." nis ousmess a rrsirs revealed tbe astound ing-laot that, although .his credit wsa .'- . -CHAPTER IV. InclSdlmf' h?. PMleit J3efWiSM aon,t now whBt wy ocltes thought m JSi till -mhEZ 'AtlZRrSZ0! ot Judg' admonition, but I resented no more . than - suffice to discharge his it .. n,i thins- leas than an Insult tn tnv very moderate llabllitlea. Tn uv that ii."... n"l?inJ--." ,5v"n .m"uJ' ? m oualnu. 2 t ?-- ?i. rln!f. wlttt """id ot his own could listen tS mlldl) 'J?rJ Mrw9-ttJ..ZXZ the-story we had heard and think no Almost Jvarv oniln ? ?t, luftl more bout 11 tl1 11 Pleased the court fVi LfutX hi - m-il- V? A.- Kvetl u " n com9 'n the form rJ l.i Ha J5.J7,UHo? nlt-'i iil" f """on. I " not bav dismissed It tsSw iHie-.lih -M-BSlr "S-JJ" Z without at least a mild conpectur. But hdom-d fal.wlt-IfMUC' a.nd to Instruct twelve men charged with a 1 i!T ihJ l7n Ufe-and-death responsibility to give no nTThJ natJTTr . -KI "Si.!'!!! x"d thought to the vital, human issue ki.L..u miVaTT' f-1? th4t WB" they were facing struck nr. as preposter- r..i.7Zi .i J f"l , 1"""' ' -nw nous impertinently preposterous, received ths news of his finance 1 w -.'..! j - Afltmlv mm n.11 .. . Wl J .k. k.l I nj uwmj viiuiki uuu.. WV1RI1QU nvavuy wh.th?, it S!T -' nowTSrV bul mjr Personal Inconvenience In tha fa Md hlT t.-Sit Lon! bv.ut w,h of olvte Sut7 f"r "or Important, an 522-? ri1"."' w"u " n". finding myeelf out of all eyrapthy wi .n. ,T'C" "Iw""1,' ,?c,'Ma to my associates, I walked from the cm his - finances aa as caimiv aa sne nis rs. i,,-a. w. jl . . . celved tha Mln. ne tt. T .v. ."". mamni in ur nniMn- ..iH Z?Ja w " , ,"1"V' ."" ?nouio tag ttiem less seriously. w- nw i:ii-vuiitiui wtSIMUIfl tint JIVAII Villa 1ft I n tTtnt m 111 1 tn sV V AntTTSri--L !..- nnouncement my fellow-Jurors at our prospective de culte7 h-k'" VZ?-?' ': tenUon. for it seemed petty todwell on "H1?4 ? V.rJri nowyer, but I my neraonal inconvenience In tha faca nd. with SnaT. litii iVeTIi,er.1dem'n."tnl'ea.t.h,J tn ehoulders alone. . , ZcJurna Bt5r,ereUi!r,,. A110 WM ,J " my horse snd trap at the a olumsy ploc of forgery," .. Melton House stables, snd. althoush it Perhaps I waa tbe otnr oerson In the was already late, and I ha at leaat tan room to whom this statement wss an nt- miles to travel, I . determined to start - , w bww mil,, m inmn (mt iiumf . onw, bmuwiiii tl 1U i 111 7 IH 1 in 1 111 frightened face in tha audience as Gll housekeeper, well used to my bachelor oeri paused. irregularity, ' would Keep dinner walt- "At this point, gentlemen of tbe jury." ing for me, no matter how lute I might h proceeded. "there were further In arrive. vestlgations to discover what had he. But had I not alretadv determined to come of Mr. 8haw's reputed fortune, and leave st the earliest possible moment. when the search was about to be a ban- I the conversation at -ths hotel would have oonea certain clews led to tha discovery hastened my departure, for the Emory of nearly a million dollars In first-class case waa being debated with great en railroad and other bonds deposited with ergy, and, to avoid) being drawn Into th a trust company In Venesuela. These discussions, I was obliged to take refuge securities the- police believe to he nroiv. on the Dlaxsn. - Hut even taere the tonic rty of the late Mr. Gregory Shaw, and pursued me, and It Was with no small me Denis ior mis Deiiet is tn fact that I rener. mat l at laat jumped into my trap in saiv-oeposit vault wnere xnev were and set orr at a ortas oaee on mv noma secreted was held in the asms of Alice I ward Journey. But -as I traveled along e-mory.. nis private secretary and con-1 tne lonely country road my mind was fldante. ,. , I constantly occupied with the forbidden -but, strsnga as these racta are. gentle- I subject,' and uneonaciousiy I snowed mr men." continued the prosecutor. In even horse to settle Into - a Jog-trot as I tones, : "they ara not Inexplicable. To I thought over th story I had heard from reach th explanation, however. I must Deake Gilbert'slHns. -j - . i tax your credulity still further. 'I - die- My first Impressions of ths prosecutor like to speak 111 of the deed, but I am had not survived his opening speech. He compelled to state that Mr. Gregory no longer appealed to. me aa a flippant Bhaw had not always been th success- or ' Irresponsible trlfler,- but rather as a iui ana respected ousinees man and aati.- man sur or mmssit and ois duty and mable neighbor Polllcet bed known mil I entirely eonsclentions. Hia statement ot honored.- Ha had nnoa been without facts hsd been presented in a quiet, onn- ni"ii"ji vu uu. wnnvDii price. . 'mtj"'"i uTir, wuuuui lormaiicy, nut crime Which we -are new Investigating I with unmistakable earnesta. During naa orougnt to ngnt anotser crime in ts enure aenvary nis attitude bad been which th foundation of hia fortune waa that of an imnartlat Inveatla-ator bent laid, and which, though undetected forjupon making an accurals report Nnt a many years, still shadowed his whole word of denunciation had passed his lip career, and Anally resulted in hia trarinland scarcely more than a auaaaatlnn f death. It Is not necessary at the oreei- aocusstion. and yet ths defendant seem- ent moment for us to ao into the detail ed Irretrievably Incriminated. Had ha of his wrong-doing, which tha testimony I attacked her and Inveighed against her win iiniy qisciobw. Bunice it to state that crime, anouia nave fen -more com hia crime -waa known to at least 'one fortable. But his quiet.-colorless relation other person besides the perpetrator, and f th facts made them apeak for them that person Is . the defendant in this selves, and their meaning was unmln- cae. Itakabie. Even what he had left unsaid "Now.- gentlemen, this la tha era at hauntlngly. susgestlvs. - Would ha the whole matter, for it Is tha theory of tell us at the next session that tha the prosecution and T shsll not claim- It threads which hsd been found clinging to b more than a theory until I sob. to the eandl-graa-matched th cloth stantlate It by proof the theory of th ot n ot Alice Rmory's skirts? H had poreecutlon. I say, is that Alice Kmory not asserted this, hut I did not doubt thag that sh (hritt.Hl hF mnlnvmr witklAr-iln. Wbr hud th victim rruatMl tn Mpo-urn uniftM h mad hr nia wlfa, and onsi.jr marriava with ala aacraury UacracaT I ana prepared ror ImmvAan ftlnht that I """""nf ravaf ot an war a. -why inch waa tha nraaaura brotiirht upon hlmI"houl Shaw plaoa hl fll-aoiten prop tk. . ua.i.l-iJI m l aat far Ism lha asma af la, a w., fc. Z A f as ..AMjt .l.l.k.. J ,,m II 111 .WM Wit rTHIf, and. I w '" "w ' WliUlt.ll II fined ce?.V UVh?y n.h vaatlffsllnn wnrll., K. na -m rr""T mm mwxi m win in nmr own tavor, I "- ""VV " 7 nrai MUS- vestlgation wortiiy the nat-n would ever I tntendlna- tn mu aa hia -- fled with th noaaeaalon e hli saiikl be," she went on, calmly; "but I've met flenty of country, people who wouldn't hink of docking a horae'a tail and yet are aunpiy .scandalized at the notion of a woman's properly adjusting her weight lO niS DICK." ' ' -. "It is merely a question of custom,"' 1 replied. , - -, - .. . . 'Uf habit, you mean." she Interrupted, smilingly. "Now. if you will lav this saddla on the. grass, for a moment." she continued, ."and, Hand It to m after am UD ". .... ..'. . .. v. - "If you will permit ma to offer you a seat in my trap," J. suggested, - "you could lead Dolly and let her carry her own saddle. It's safe enough for that. ''I don't want to take fuu out of your way,"- she answered, hesitatingly. -"Perhaps you won't," I replied: ''Where are you goiugy. ; . ; - .. -"Home, ' - she' answered. 1 "To r Polllcet, i main, sne aaaeo, smilingly. , i- . To Potlloetl" I exclaimed. - . '"'Yes. lg there anything surprising In "No-o," I answered slowly, "but-" "I see." she Interrunted.. v "Tou asso- riate Pollloet with-the Bhaw tnurder, and look upon ail tha Inhabitants as Impli cated.". .'.j:.- --v . , Not at If'. pnitmUi,. Umely, ''But "I assure' you w know leas about It than most neoDla." she went on. , "Al though we're) not stupid enough to think Alice Kmory killed th man. That's criminal ignorance. i . ' , ' - put the saddle on again It will save buckle these reins together- for a lead ing strap.". I Interposed,- somewhat hur riedly. "Or If yon will do It while I put th aaddle on against It will sava time' i continued. " la Polllcet far from herer,. ... -,-. i ..- ---"Not three miles." she v answered. "We're on tha direct road. now. Didn't you know it?" ' ..--;,' . mo," 1 admitted. "I mutt have taken nm tutt fn, IT.frvvl 1 1 ' have been- held, and the moat (lingular crime which has ever come under my nrticiBi notice would tnus have escaoed detection. But Dr. . Mac Lean examined Mr. Shaw's body Immediately sfter It waa moved, and at once discovered that his friend hntf been subbed through the nan i eye oy a sienoer weapon , which had penetrated the brain In such a man ner as to cause Instant death without visinie enusion of blood. --, . '"The t DOllce . authorities 1 were Im. mediately notified, anda minute Inquiry waa negiin into ail the circumstances surrounding this mysterious tragedy. In the first place, it waa demonstrated that th 'evidences of suicide mlarht aallw hav been concocted by the murderer, who migni nave maae nis escape oy the Win dowi bolting it from the outslds hv w moving one of the unoer Danes of slaas and replacing it after h?a work was ac complished. Acting on this theory, tha authorities began their- Investigations, which were attended by th best possible results. ' The window of Mr. Bhaw's study opened upon th sloping rnof of a ver anda, and unon this was found a small pool of candle-sreaa. and a alnala n m ins mm aunsinncei was detected on on of ths upper window-pane. Care- iui worn .men revealed that the Did, hardened putty of this pane had been re moved and replaced bv atlckln It 4w gewer-wim norary paste. All this show th same cool deliberation and fore- tnouari wnicn - nan uiHr,uitariaf tha suit-Kin ruse, - f'Hllt. r.ntlnmin rmrkmt ..Iml-.l. the coolest and cleverest, make a Uaat one mistake, and tills particular criminal mime no iob iran. two.1 . . ; 1 . , "The first error consisted la lavi,. r,u nnpping ot rnnnin-greHn on tne veranda) roof, and tho second waa in kneellne on thoae. dripping before they were - oulte ory. as. mougn it nad been a hand gripping the skirt of the criminal, that wax- nvin in us ciiitcn nair a dnMn threads of a hairy cloth, blue In color. snd of texture known tn tba clothing trade as dress - goods.' When .vou hav round tn wearer or tne , cloth ,.; from hlch these threnda were ton,' ti men. you will hav found th murdorer Gilbert pnuaed.' and every man In tha nry-box stole a glance at tha nrlsoner. only to find hia vision instructed by Hiirstow's shoulders as ths lawyer lean ed towards his client In whispered con- UIKUIOn. - ,..., . . "Havlnr demonstrated that a., ma Ha had tanwiered with the wlnd'rw-pane," Gilbert ' continued, slowly, ."th pnllne bent sll their efforts upon diacoverlng how this person had affected nn Mnin The-vernndi raif waa not far above the ground, hut there was no slarn of anv one having Jumped or c limited from It. nor were there any footprints tn the flow-er-beda, which were soft from recent ruins. I'ImIiiIv. then, the Person who hud limed sliialrr nt Mr. Khuw'a wlnilnar luid not esi-aped by way ot tne verundit roof. It waa obvious, also. Hint n,. ..11 could have Iwen effected thrnuah the atndv door, which wna tsltd from tlie nsuie, aim 11 was rlivslcn v lmnnnllii r any one In reach tha mnf e..,,t with llio aid of a ladder, aa von will rcsenllv aee for yourselves. In f.irr here was only ona f.-iellile avenun of :i.e..Bnd fi'nt waa another wiml,,a- cxt to llr. t imws study, which nla she murdered him when he discovered I WZ, been tempted to forgrry or inn fioc.ufiM.ni nnn inrMTMM tt wimim iiiuiwi r 1111 uiiuvri naa uiin nr ma for exoosur. But won will naturally ask I Property dlacovsred in .her name. I felt wny ttregnry Bhaw did sm, sceiede to the I "" oma , maa a airona. froint for the woman's demands and marry her. Had I Prsecuuon out. as I pondered oyer It, he done so hia secret would hva ham I ths fact seemed In ber . favor. Per h ana safe, for lh lew do not look favor- other points more closely examlped ably upon a wife who Volunteers teetl- uld porve ever more favorable, mopy' aaalost her huahnnd. There mitat Jtncouraged by this prospect. 1 clucked have been some strong; reason for his rheerlly tp my shambling horse,, and at resistance, and t think I can ehow'vnn he started forward I notieMl that 1 no what It waa when wa a-i. m Inv (L. longer had th road to mvaelf. for tn tha gate tb life and letters of tho prisoner o aianee snotnsr norss wss plainly vial at th bar. - - . . bl on tu crest of a llttl hill. In th "But. vour bonor-here. Gilbert turn- tethering dusk I could aoe at one de ed on p'a heel and addnased Jndr terming in what direction it waa moving, Tnirtley "hefor we proceed further tn Put on drawing nearer I dlacovered that w - vine ieu inwinii me, ana tnat this case T desire the jurors to view the scn a the tre)v. snd see for them selves the pofralNlltlea of entrane and esap and familiarise themselves with other eeaent'al details which are difficult to exniain. I tnererore tnov rnr an Im- mediate inspection or - the Shaw real th bolder of th brldl-rln Wss a wo man, in animal nor a tn'a saddle, but there Was no on but the woman in tight, and, fearing there had been an accident, I drew rein ss w met. rsrdon me, madnm," I began, rais- dene under euch guidance and Inatrue- I !n m "' but paused aa th sound of tion aa th court mtr aw. awner." wiignier reaciiea myears. Ferris Baratow had Hn whan tha J "v wht makes you think aof prosecutor turned to th bench, and th asked a pleasant voice. . moment h cansht the bidve's hia .X !h smiling wef unturned harh vole boomed ou In proleat. , ",7 "nn- puisieq ur anantwfr, I oniecl To anv auch mmwut t"'l. '""'""i i miiii. - an. with hU ciatomorv a iasinn wakes ma think whstT I , Mm. - . . , . . ... - . niijariafl . . , -in aoie oojeri or xnia pro need junk-1 ,iL . V . i ... eting-trm- It to give aoeefartilar iff-et I .l!.""1 ,1,hav arrived at th dignity of , a a . a a . . . a gl 1 si 1 Bl rrl ro a inai aireaov aumcentiv nvni, 1 "1 do not think you hav. miaa 1 answered, dryly, - .. . ' . , . The girl laughed good-naturedly. ' "I stand renorved." she imnit - ting the horae'a hiMiA "And in,i..,.i lly, I grant the pardon Srnn segan by ask ingpresumably for addressing 1 me at all." ah added, with a note of dignity. t. tan aerve n" good or useful piirpoee. Wf neither k nor expect ouarte" he rnnse thta defendant la a woman. bn t giihmfr thnt no rrlaonr on trial for Ufa eno'iia ne suhiacted to smnecaaaarv strain, your nonor anowa-What these insreriions .involve. 11 nine rase nut of tne th"" are not lnsnetlnns of th premises, but Inaneetlons of the nrlsotiae .rests to a" wnetnar or. nr e will Isnch at tha sight of the . falnl ann Sieh manoeuvres belong to tha da When prlannee were forced tn touch te erne an wr Judd ailliv of tts WO'tede Wed. I T.eei. (nes-lnst istlfh hs'hHrio tactics, and I trust this court wl" not countenance them without grsvs gnd enrent reeaon"." , Barstow rlonced f rrlnll- at IK. Trrnaeeittor a b rta. hut nuiwri rit not. respond to fn ehetWva, indeed, ha ersd tnennaeioua or Ha comment a hs stid ntiieMy awaiting th decision ir"" tne rencn, - "Have you no plans or photogranhs of f remises, Mr. Gllhertr' Inquired th ude, after a pause. ' "ve have tioth. your honort nut much time and trouble will be sswd f ih puropa can see the house Itself nfnra- li .. ui. . " ..7 over, the accuracy .f our plans and pho. fairly duty. Now, If ou will give ma a lag lip" eh continues, unfaalanlna- -111, the wrong turn for Hefrvvtlle. "And csme all the way her to rescue a maiden in distress? it's fate t Romantic late) Don't you think so? I was In a serious mood, but ths girl's pnerry, mocking face was too much for my gracity. ana i taugnea in spit of my self. .. .- . "How old are you. anyway?" I postulated, but with very llttl severity in my ion. - - , s "What . an . impolite question!", Bhe mounted Into ths wagon as she snoka and held out ber band for th leading strap. "How old g.-a you, yourself T" . "Thlrty-slK,". 1 answered, promptly. --"Well, I'm twenty-four," she answered. -"Tou don't look It," I observed, tak ing my seat beside her and chirping to th nors. , . -, . . . "I susnect you mean I don't act it" she assart ad, "But I will return 'the compliment at its fade value. - Tou don't look thirty-six." ."Thank you." I responded, gravely.!'' For aome momenta we drove on In si lence, and, although the girl waa looking nacK. at uouy, 1 knew she was shaking with - repressed amuaement. . - Indeed. when I glanced around I found myself fac to face with a nlctur of mischiev ous merriment which would bav made) a mummy smile. - , , now, . suppose we an give our right names, as my, brother says" Bhe burst out laughing. "Im Barbara, Frayne, aged eighteen,', of Heathercote," . Polll "And I'm James Lambert, aged thirty- six, en route from Melton to Hefryvllle," I responded. "From Melton to Hefryvilleta"' shs re peated, wonderingly. "I don't see how yeu could bsv missed your way." "I'm afraid I wasn't thinking of th road," I answsred; "but tn horse ought to hav remembered it. He's been over It orten enough." "I was on my wsy to Melton myself when ths buckle weakened," Miss Mrayn voluntered. T5id they actually begin I that abominable case to-day?" she add ed. quickly. "Tou mean the neonle amtnat RmorvT" I asked, without glancing at my quest ioner. - "I ' mean Drake Gilbert agalna rcmoryi" ana exclaimed, resentfully. tan 1 11 an autrager "You know Miss EmoryT" I hsxarded Know hert Of course I - Know her, sna a dearer, sweeter womsn nsver liv ed. Don t tell me you think her guilty "I have formed no opinion at all," answered, uneasily. "Then you'v never seen her." the girt declared. "No one who has could have any doubt or her innocence no one ex rept Desk Gilbert, and he's nothing but a brute, and I've told btm that to bis race, 1001 "You mean th prosecutor?" I Inquir es. . "Prosecutor!' ths repeated, scornfully - t-ersacuior, I cau mm. uooonesa. hoe mad makes him I", sh added, expultlng "But Ms duty" T hesan. "His duty I" sh Interrupted, scornfully. "It's his duty to find out who did ths murder, - not to persecute a defenceless womsn. Oh. I don't so how a man 011 n do such things! tha want on. Indignant ly. "Fancy planning an plotting for months against sn Innocent womsn. and then pleading with a lot af country bumpkins to do her to death! Why don't they let women sit on the Jurvt Thav don't dare, I suppose. Oh, It just makes me ooii to minx 01 it: "But If your friend is Inn noon t afca'a in no danger.- 1 observed. "Indeed sh Is!" the rlrl assarted "I've heard Desks Ollliert himself admit that a man has to be a sort of .half Idiot nowsdaya before he's qusllfed to sit as a Juror, snd there's no telling wnai people 01 mat sort will 00. I Inwsrdly . congratulated -myself on the natural ' sound of my answerinv laugh: but my cheeks were flushin furiously, and f admit V ait tha. bane wrtnout tne sngnieat provocation. "I tell Deake he gets so used to eon, trolling tba weak-minded that he can't toierai a rational otrrereno or opinion anv Inn.ar aha mhIInii.J mi.Imm.,1. "And that makes him madder tnan ever! Did you ever see h in toss bis limntrt" ghs added, suddenly. No, I answsred. ttnlntereetadly, -"Tou know him dont your' aha In. quired. . , , "i can't say 1 do." 1 rem ed. evaa vaiv. "Why. I though everybody knew him." "i n nothing- but a hermit." I exnluln d. . :. A hermit T That I sounds dellcinual mvaienouB. 1x1 jrou live in a caver "In Tbe Hermitage.' " ! answered. "Wbatl That dear llttt studio where some srtiats used to HveT" "I bought It from an artist Ton hav peen merer Yea they gave a party ther soma time ggn. it's simnty perfect for danca. Have you ever anv-n ens?" "Well no." I admitted. "Vim im. Tm a nacneior, ana tin. do rive one!" sh exclaimed, en. thualaatlcallv. "and Invite ma." im afraid I don t know enoush neo- pie." X began. - , - "I hav It I" sh Interrupted, gnyly. "We're almost at Polllcet now. I'll In. trodiirs you to father and mother, and you can stay td dinner, and we'll all see mat you snow every 000 y in tna county who's worth knowing, and then yon can have a party. Won't It. ba funf' . "it sounds delightful " , - 1 responded. gmlllngly; "but" ' ' . .-,..! You 11 comewon t your th demand. "To th pnrtyT rertainiy.", i- .;; . "No, to dinner, of course. ' ;"! I hesitated for s moment, but the ref erence which had already oecn made to the Kmory case warned m ethiit local hoapits Illy might be embarrasalng ,. for tha present' :" "You are very kind," I replied, regret, fully, "and I shall he glad to rail some I had- never met ir! like Miss 1-Ysyne before, hut I felt new something ot ner Quality the person shakes hands moment our hands met. Her clasp waa firm and strong, like a man's. It was a greeting or a God-speed which no man could fall to reciprocate and no decent nan would , dare presume upon. It whj friendly, fiank, fearless, genuine, hearty, Joyous. It was like bar. , "Ihja't forget you're committed to that party -at "Tha Hermitage,' ehe remind ed roe, as t stepped into tne wagon. -"Will you dance the cotillion with me. mademoiselle 7" 1 ; inquired, picking u up "Mercl, monaleur.T. sh answered, and then, lifting her horse's head, touched it with her fingers and waver her hand to wards me.". - -..,..'..:--.,,,.-. .j '"Dolly and I talut you." she added laughinslv. as she moved away. - "I watched her running lightly up th lane. the mar trotting after her tothe mualcal jingle of its stirrups, and then I urged mv own horse forward on the roaa to tne inrm-nous or uregory enaw, ' ' , 'CIIAPTER Vi'V 'i'.- I will not say I did not aoeatton tha Eroprtoty or my visit to ti.e enaw rarm, ut I certainly never doubted It, I bad every reason to believe that the majority of tha Juror were more or lass familiar with ths house snd Its surroundings. In deed, all th talesmen had admitted in my pretence that - they had seen the Place, and I was the only candidate who had not even heard af it. To my mind it seemed hot only proper but necessary that I should qualify myself to under ttand the coming testimony by personal, ly inspecting ths scene, especially since Mr, uarsiow-s . objection aa deprived me of an offtolal opportunity. The fact that I bad alrendy been sworn as a Juror maue no uioerence in my opinion., ior ther could be nothlne- In th mera ex terior of tha place to influence me on way or tne otner. and 1 reit enttreir jusiinso-in equipping myteir. with the information wmcn my associates aire.. noasesaea. ?. . 1 . I did not reason' this out at the' time, nnt T anna, T f-lt I .. despite th outcome, and the fact that ignoranc or tn law is no sxcuae. 1 aim maintain I was Justified In doing exactly what I planned to do.-' ' - It was dark hv ths tlma T MiAhat tha house, but I recognised It at once by na wire siany popiars. 11 was an un pretentious bulldtns. standln wall with. In ita OWn S-rounda. Which ware aena rat ed from the highway by a tall box hedge. This and the big poplars obstructed the view trom tna road, and, although I lean ed far out of the bunt. I cnnM an nothing of-the veranda of which Gilbert had spoken. I therefore mopped tha hors a few rods farther down the road, and, standing; up, looked back, but th limn 1 couio see convinced ma that tha veranda and the windows In question must be st the rear. Disappointed with mo poor view 1 nad ODtained, I was driv ing on again when I noticed tha was-nn. shed of which Mlas Frayne had eooken. and I at once determined tn leava tha horsa there and walk haek fni nnih loog at tne house. with this idea I dmv. Inln Ik. -k-t ll.il .w k climbing the fence on th other side of tne road, approached the house behind a 1 rings or trees which sernsd it from the farm buildings. When I emerged I touna myteir ouita nnaa tn tha varanHa which extended across part of th build ing, with three wtndowa of tha second story opening upon Ita roof. '- two 01 them undoubtedly opened Into Mr. Bhaw'a private study, and th othr Into Miss Kmory ' room, but which waa wnicn 1 can no means of knowing. - It was evident at a glance that no one could reach the roof from the veranda roof without the aaslatanoe ef a rone or lad. der, for th upper wladows had neither coping nor shutters, - snd the aves of the roof projected so far that any one v m ma: me wnu wouia nna mmseir coop ed up under the eaves. The veranda roof likewise projected far beyond the sup porting columns, and the most skilful descent would require a drop of at least five feet Into the flower-beds below. All this merely corroborated what Gilbert had told tha jury, and I was about to return to the road when I noticed that one nd of th veranda i not visible from where I stood. I therefore moved out of tbe shs do w of th trees and steps ped towards the house. I soon discover ed that the part of the roof which had been hidden from my view presented very much the tamo appearance as the front except that I could row see a wing or annex of tha bouse with a door tending into what might be the tltchen. There was a window between this door and tha veranda, and Jt occurred to me thst an active person might possibly make use of the shutters In descending from th veranda roof. To Investigate this more closely I moved forward, and in doing BO atanned mwt a mU.. .1 ni. - 1 - -- which Tiroke under my foot-and at the aame msmnt a startled exclamation sounded almost In my ear. Instinctively I flattened myself against ths wall of the house, and aa I did so ins winaow Desiae mi opened end smsii . niece of class tinkled t tha gmuna. ....... "It's nolhlnc but hits of this trniVn pans dropping out," answered a woman's voice. "If you don't get your nerves under better control you'll do a power or mlaehlaf Vat - """ Th sneaksr draw a chair tn tha l.. dow and aat down facing me. . I could not see her. but had I stepped from th wall sne wouia nsv instantly discovered me. "I don't went to do any mischief." fai. tered the other vole. "All I want Is to we im sione, "Well, you can't ha. left atnna uid d th first speaker. "And vou won't ha so you might Just at well make up your "' , suiy lotuinere- noth Ing to be afraid of." - "Oh, Mitt Mapeel Do you really think Manes? Where ' had I hearA th. name? Instantly Gilbert's rsfersnc to Mits Madeleine Mapes recurred to my mind. This waa the housekeeper whose name ne naa nsgau ns to remember. "I don't think ll-T know 111- - Miss Mapes's tone waa domineering but rvnaauriiia, ana irom tne silence which followed I began to hope that th con versation had ended when tha. lunm,. vim-n niftruau fne again. Ihl we m " ,na ,yoa "But If they do. sll you bava to say Is that you don't know. , , 7 "riut i can't tell nn untruth." "Can't vou T" - anaiiMl tha ku. i. - . u' .j ."!! on' person I ver u. win, vuunin t. ..... "But not under nalh Visa xtanaa n .v.. uiurr wuinan aiuvsmi. i-h-c'a crime.- ... -'- .- .!w"vn,u,.,!er wors erlm. . "Vaa .,1 . : " "You'll commit murder, tlattv taM 'it w ;" " taiaing: notning jsts than murder mark my words" - Ths housekeeper's ton was fierce and menacing, and I could almost . th. Wftiinr wuinan irffmDIP, - -V "Buppos they should ask m if I ever aw It?" - ., . "They . never did ask tt.at-jlM "No. Rut tha detacltva wanta4 l lnn ."J1..""' ei wearing a biu cloth aktrt " . - . ... , .. ....... t -i i..i a .. I""T. sou eiieu ihi a inn m run soma he, 7 iJZ a J.2 ,n,'ulr" eoulal other tlm-at the drat possible onpor- ISIm?.Lrny T- i i? 'I"-"' your tui.ltx, If voy will permit, It: bnl to- 5-.1. nU. da,d; lnclng up and n"hl I feel if must push on U Ilefry. nil lztm tu- ' - vlll-, for I am lateand oni dlatsnc out ir my comnanlonr" She ronui.it wnnnerinsiv.. and then broke Intn - n.,i. laugh. "t)h, Dolly a sll right." shs i.n.iiiiiefi, piayiuuv anaaina? tha nrt.ii-. rein. "It's Ihe sadde-glrth whloh Want nrisuini.-s, mu non t nappn to have sn extra Ion ( strap In your wngnn. do you?" "What's the matter with the girth?" I Inquired, twlallng the reins about my whin and Jumping to the around. .' , , "The binding of the buckle has com naewed." she explained. "I hasn't ac tually broken, hut I can't make It ear, and I'vs been fussing with II for hours. I could hav carried th aaddl on my Inn If Doliv Would have let ma '... but the wrelrh wouldn't stand etlll, anl tographs may be diaputed," "Their sciiracy will 'be admitted with. out question," Interposed Barstow, "Higlil unseen!" Th Judge glanced Inquiringly af tha prosecutor, "Ioea that satisfy you, Mr. Ollbertf" he sskod. "It la good as far at It roes, sir h,,i it goea not eliminate the dhriiully nr . plniintlon. GiUiert rsMnded. "If r,u- opponent fears the effect of the pronoscl visii upon nis i-iirni s nerves, I eiipiiost that he waive lier rlcht to he present at the IneiMM'tlon, and allow us to m.t over the ground wlllinut her," Any auracstloii fn,m tha rros'-cm r that I waive my rlli-ut'g rliihis n r..i the girt I fnlrly gaaped at th etnresalon. hul the did not notice my rnnfualon. "I thoiialit " ; 1 began, anil paused, awkwardly. - -. . Sh turned to ma her head Still under the up-lifted Sadille-niin ami at aiaht of my face laid her rhek agnlnst tl hiise'g iinna nna isngnmi wm n Been enjoyment, "I aee! You didn't timleretimd tlm Sim die," she exnliilmrd, "IMvlded skirts ar cleverly nuide nowsdaya, nr.n I Ihevr' Hlia tr.iichr.l her rnwn rldlnc skirt with I, it hiinttng-rmp as all S.,,k. "You're n t au'-ked. ara jrml?" sle iinl tiiMi',1. I ttu-t to slinlie rnv liead ronviin-ltirlv, "1 t in I lintiKiiia why any one s'.-'u.J of mv way. I sunnnae, "Nearly four miles," ah admitted I'm rry you won't stop: hut T can tell you how to snve tlm If yon really mutt hurry on." ' , ,',.,-,.. , "I'm afraid I must," I answered. "-' "Well, keen on this road shnut half mlln farther, . snd then take th first turning to th left and follow that until yin com to a wngon-ied Just beyond the Shaw hotiae " "nut t don't know th fth.lw house when I- ees it," I Interrupted. . . " . ''naclous! Yon sra a hermit, Indeed. Well,-It's a red-roofed farm-Poiso with three big poplars In front of It, You Can't noaallily mlaa It, and at th warnn-shej Inst beyoml you'll com to a road 4 urn. Ing to the right Tsk that and you'll tavc a mil or more," "Thank you I underatnnd." I answer. ed. mm'hanlcally, altlioiigh I had not fol lowed th dlrei'tlons hejomi th Shaw hens, "If ynu'r sure you ' can't ston td dinner, I'm going In ask you to let me on', hrra. Mr. Ijimhert,'' shs continued, aa we drew near a hack tan. "I can go directly to th atHlilea this Wsy, and it will. anv you time, too," 4 t elupiicd and, Inking the lendlne-reln from tier hnnil, helped her to allaht. "TlisnH you ever so much, fir knleht." sh rm-laliued. lioMltig r.nt her hand, ' i It may h no true Indication of charae- Icr. but I alwiivs receive a alrons Inl tlusslon fiom the Planner la whkh .a the front dour I i I '.! i Wall, .-my. lu-urt t '-irnt . .--i iiit-iii. i urn smui.-tiiy - iH.i J.-. what I had heard bur.-i i , I stepped forward Just ns t was thrown open, driving i i aa It swunf and nnlng , and the wall. I could ln.,r . pitHB out of the kitchen, and ah,. .,.-.,,n ,r, j ,rvr . 1 " wns ui'miu' the flKiire of a young woman - placed herself close to th ..pen n and against the wall exactly whero 1 i nrsi stood. I could not hav r-' -; then without brushing ber same . thought 1 might poaaibly have reariie.l i horae without disclosing my Irlcntliv. I I hesitated to risk tha hue and cry .. would b Instantly raised and mU t - . In my capture and humiliation. 1 nt- entertained the hop that I mlnht n..c overhear, any further embarrassing con versation. In which case there was notn Ing to b gained by beating an Immediate retrest,.-.i , '- . "-.-.. , -, -In this, 'bowever, f whs doomed to speedy disappointment for Alias Mnp.-a wns speaking as sh re-entered tbe room with a light and,- although I shrank, farther behind the 1 door, x ould hear every word she uttered. "I don't think you quit understand onr position In this matter, Miaa Mapet," I heard th visitor reply. ' undersUnd it welt "enough," Mlas Ma ties retorted, curtly, 1 "I Rardly think so," answered the visi tor,' pletaantly. "We are striving to do all we can for Miss Kmory, but we can not do our beat work In ths dark." "Indeed!" snapped th houaekeeper. "I should think darkness would "favor law yers' doings." "I know you don't like tha profession." laughed the man, good-naturedly. "Hut too little confidence is apt to be mom dangerous than too much. Mr. Baratow moat earnestly advised yeu to remain out of the 8Ute until the trial Was over, and hs cannot understand why you bava re turned." - - , - "And I can't Understand why, h allow ed Mlas, Kmory to b Indicted.1 - "My dear madam! He could not cra ven t it" '..,...,:..-.- . , "Indeed! Then whv was T bundled Of the wsy?"-1 - ."It was thought you might ba oompell d to giv embarrassing testimony' - "Dldn t he promise that If I went away no harm should happen her?" "Who? Mr. BaatowT Perhaps he did. But don't you think what has happened la bad enough without making it, any worse." . , , . f . , "I couldn't make It worse." "Indeed, you could and will. Mr. Ttae. Stow has nrenarad hia itufmix In tha lief that you are safely outside the Btnt and cannot be called aa a witness. He nss actually Droceeded to trial aounttnir on this fact, and it la no lonscet possible to obtain a postponement Now, at tha eleventh hour, you turn up and compel nins to meet uoa snows wnal testimony; for I tell you very frankly that ha haa reason to believe - you have never rlv-n him your full story. Can't you see how -embarrassing, "1f not fatal, this move of youra may br . Th speakar'g ton ' wss earnest and persuasivs, and the girl, listening outside ths window, lesned forward excitedly. "Now, Mr, Hunt Miss Hape's voice, replied, "you've had your say, and I II hav mine. I went awa at u. stow s request for one and only one rea son, and that waa to protect Alie Emory. How haa It protected her? Hardly a word of suspicion had been ut tered against her when I left and tMcr- she Is on trial for her life. Mr. Bar atow couldn't help It couldn't he? Well. i aim v oeiiev ne couia, witn tn method' he's adopted, and I'm sick end tlrarf nt him and his methods. - Why did hs shut the girl's mouth snd not allow her to ut ter a word sloe th day I went away?" "Really.. Misa Manes. I can't 4iama that It' part ot bis policy." ... .... "It's part of a bad noncy. I sav. Ha ought to hav allowed her to tell every thing she knew. I believe it waa mv an. Ing away which first started suspicion against her, and Betty Field's mysterious disappearance mad more mischief, a ws've come back to undo it" What! The Field etrt hasn't mn. back, too?" Th question wss aa Incredulous whla. per of dismay. . . , ( eji.v LTiminiT naa. waa Kna crnim ra. joinoer. "en is here now." "Welt I don't cars where It wsa. Tott n't know whoa It was, or what it was. skirt.' "Well, you never hsd-" . ' ; "No. but I saw you with It, and-" ' ''How do vou know vnu did?' xri Mapes Interrupted, shsrply. , "Tou saw m wnn srimetntng in my nana"' -it wns in lh rurnsce." don and nobody will find nut that win a anything iinleaa you lose your head and blurt it out; and If you do, her blood will b unon you all the rest of your life, and you'll nsver wash . It out with . all your ieart." ,h v-m.--:'. -.-. ;'-.. "Oh'Mlss Mapcsr . -tHWr: I'r.l. ,UH.U..-H I.J..J N . . .i,, six inn w.iiro, iniinvti, siirrrvu in houaekeeper. "Work yourself Into hys terics! Do!i That's Just the condition they want yon In." ,. "Un, please miss Mnpesi Tou know d do anvthlnar to heln. hut don't n. ikiLT i. ' iinm 11. wwmiu we amrr m S" pars 7 - "Yes. If you're afraid tn stay Here. Rut for heaven's sake, make ep your tnlna one wny or the other," , , , ( , v , . "Will you come?" , . t, -,r "I? Indeed I will nott tjt you'd bet. ter start now If yeu want to run away. You haven't a mfnut, to lose.'f . , . ,. "Oh, I can't ; I daren't . -' go without you."- '','.'. 1 . , 'Then stay and keep your mouth shut!" , "Hut '4f they ask you?" , "They may ask and aak ssaln.'on snd all. and much good It may do 'em. I can liike car of myself.", - The sound of a hell hrnngnt both wo man to their feet, and for a moment ther wns dep ellcnce. Then Mlsa . Manet Whlsncred: - "That's Unratow's man. t though he'd come to-night You atay here and listen to what I say, I'll go lo tha door," I stipivosa a more qulck-wliien - man Would have risked discovery and eson 1-,1 When he tlrst heiird the women tnlkmv. and I liavi no defence fur my imu 1 anv the fact that In tha few ,.,. 14 Wlllrh devel(iT.w, this cm vei .1, 1 I did not reul.re . Wat b'ii 1. Ing. ven h':t '.' ! in f.ui, 1 i r What! In this house r dood OodT Th girl listening at the window clasn- ed' her hands abd cowered aa she heard ths frightened xclamatlon, and - for some seconds ther waa deep silence. But when the man spoke again his voice ha 4 recovered ita composure. . - "Does th other side know you're tier yetr' he Inquired. - "i m sur i oon't goow. rronaniy not." "Then there's time vet. Make tha most of It, Miss Mapes. Go, end take tha Field air I with you. Pv no doubt vou've, acted witn tne nest possible intentions, but ynu'r on th verge or making a ter rible mistake." "What?. Go awsy and leave Mlsa Alice alone, and let theta say what they please shout our disappearance? Not much! I've done with Baa tow!" "Don't ssy thst, Mis Ma pea." th man protested: Mlsa Emory has perfect con fidence in him." - : . ... "Well. I haven't ne got her Into this mesa, and I won't trust bins to gst ber out." "Very welt, madam" the man's yolce . hsrdsned with the word "If this Is your final decision you must take the eonae quencea, whatever they may be. Mr. Barstow knows more about you than you think, and though ha n-i very much -regret to Involve any one else In this rase and you will bear- witness that be haa always guarded your Interests . a . scrupulously aa though you wore bis client hs cannot a hampered In his de fence, madam, and I tII you plainly ha ' will not be," : . . "Barstow say all thst does he?" snapped the woman. "Welt you go bactc and tell him I'd rather trust a Jury that If I war dying for want of advice, ami ha wa th only man In th world to give It. I'd die decently without it" Tba girl cowering beneath th wlndow- slll sank on ths ground sa she heard the housekeepers Impassioned words, and her stifled sobbing wss plainly audible to me In -the Intense stlllneea. Thnt a chair grsted along tlte kltohen floor aa th visi tor ros to hi feet "It's too bad you should allow your personal prejudices to Influence yon at a tlm like this. Miss Ms net - he observed. calmly but remonatratlngly. "To inter- 1 fere with a lawyer at an Important crisis In a rase of. this sort Is a serious matter. I don't know why you assume, to be wiser than Mr. Barstow; hut perhope you have private reasons which are convincing. ' However, you have asaumed the reannn- albillty and must abide by It - I only hope- It may not . prove lnstrpportabie. Qood-nleht." , "Goodnight Mr, Hunt - ril be her ' when ahvbody wanta tn.'' The visitor made no audible reply, andj . I heard him cress tha room, followed by the housekeeper, The womsn on th ground did not move st once, but at laat She rose slowly an. I turned to the door. A sw reached lc Miaa Maps appeared upon tha threshold. Instantly the younser woman flung her self Into th housekeeper's arms. "Oh. I'll do anything, say anything you with, dear Mlaa Mapes!" sh whlstiered. exrltedlr. "But oh. I haven't any cour age! . I haven't any any at all!" Mlaa Ma pea gathered the sobbing girl to her breast. , - I'X haven't any, eltner, child." th whispered, and her Voice was choked wlrh tears. - . For a few momenta thy remalne l clnsped In each other's embrace, una then the elder woman disengaged her self, and, i supporting . her . companion, ; pssad Into the house." . - , The Instant they disappeared J darted Into the. scren of trees, but I did not ' breathe easily again until the Shaw farm-house lay many miles behind me. i (TO BE CONTINUED.) Tha Tartu correspondent . of Tha London Mall writes: An aniuxtm? discovery baa been made In one ot tha communal schools here. A cl:i-i master noticed that after Id o'cto k very morning on of bis pupil, a little) , boy of 7. appeared to heroin prey to fits ot delirium. Th thump ed his neighbors, snd when reproV.-1 by tha master rolled on tho n . -r. hrleklng and groaning like m t - scs-od. The Child was ronHtart-v I i th babtt of asking leave of : of a minute or two, eni tha i ;fid him sa-atvncit It m 1 that he carried a stria! l t alnthe In hi- pocket, mil t . Sa Often n lie, con! 1 --u . ; n ( Classroom.. It i:n I - i-n t. , the rliU.I'H mother I I i for I, lot evcrv )ii-i ' -. Our I lea, rif v. bo m i I-a I a I
The Charlotte Observer (Charlotte, N.C.)
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
Aug. 5, 1906, edition 1
15
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