Louisiana capitolian., 1881-10-04

she was sure that Just before the alterca
tion was over, the father threatened t,
disinherit the daughter. Shortly after
the old man left the house to walk t,
the Locks where he intended to take th,
train to Berkton. Almost immediatel,
Miss Stray followed. Within twenty
minutes, a forgeman, going home, cam,
on her in the gap, standing over The
dead body Of the father. Her agitation
Oh being detected was, he says, conclu
sive evidence Of her guilt. But this is
only opinion. The damning facts of the
quarrel: an intelligent motive of the
deed: blood on the linen cuff of he,
right hand: and the finding of an orien.
tai dagger, which she had long used for
paper cutter, in a thicket close BY, as
if flung there when she heard the forge
man coming. The dagger was still wet
with the crimson stain, by-and-by when
found"
What does the daughter say?"
"oh. she denies it of course. Says she
had just discovered the body. and that
she was Mortified at the sight, horror
which the forgeman mistook for proof of
guilt. The dagger, she declares, was
last seen by her that morning other
table. The blood on her cuff she ex-
plains by saying she had stopped to see
if her father was really dead, and so
stained the linen"
"Well, Ibelieve her,"
"That's because you know her and
pity her. Who else could have done the
deede Who had any motives Really,
you are too old man, too experienced
a lawyer, to let sentimental motives
cloud your Judgment. The best that he
said of her is that she did it IN fit Of
sudden passion-they say her temper is
high; she was godded to it perhaps.
Another Beatrice Cenci.'
''God forgive" said the other. "But
come, We'll say no more until we have
seen for ourselves"
The two gentlemen first visited the
scene Of the murder. There were no
signs OF a struggle such as both expect
ed to find. But Mr.. Gresham said: 'rrhe
stroke was too quick and sure for that,
I suppose. The old man fell and died
like an OK, stunned by a single blow"
II am not so sure Of that" replied Mr..
Mordaunt. "See, here is where his
shoes were firmly planted in the soil;
the deep indentation is unmistakable it
looks to me as if there was some little
resistance at least.
''But there is no sign of any other foot
steps"
"No. Perhaps the assailant stood on
this rock here. By-the-by, the moss
seems to be slightly abraided."
II don't it. I rather think the as
sailant wore shoes that would not make
lndentation: woman's shoe in fact
but what is thisW Cried Mr.. Nor
daunt. He stopped as he spoke, and
picked up, about two yards from where
the body had lain, curiously shaped
button, with small fragment of green
cloth attached to it. The button lay
just at the edge of the thicket. concealed
by the overhanging laurels. "Here is
that may give a clue. It
looks as if the button had been torn off
n struggle"
"Pshaw ~ said the district attorney.
a mere coincidence. The button has
been there for years, probably Don't
you see it's quite unlike any you ever
saw before ?"
The place next visited was the house |
'f the murdered man. The corpse was
ying on the bed. but with the clothes
'till on. awaiting the coroner's jury. 4
constable kept watch to prevent any in
reference until the inquest should have
net. He was as garrulous as Docberry
himself.
'lll take my 'davy,' that / WILL" he
aid that gals sweetheart put her up
o it. The thing stands to nature. But
hey do say she has temper other own.
There's where the dagger went in.' lie
.dded, lifting the sheet.
"a single blow seems to have been
remarked the district artor-
ley
''It was much stronger one. in my
pinion," said Mr.. Mordaunt after a
'ause. than girls hand could have
lealt. "Ha," he added after pause.
what does he mean ?"
"Wllat :" asked Mr. Gresham, while
he constable. having replaced the sheet.
walked to a window.
"DOn't YOU see The blow was a, left