Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1886-12-25
A STRANGE TESTIMONY.

Anything more exquisitely beautiful
than Mrs. Westhaven would be difficult
to imagine. l met her with her husband
and sister, two months before the murder
trial in which we were afterward con-
cCrned, at famous health resort in Cali
fornia. She was woman of three-and-
twenty, perhaps, tall, graceful, and Of
ideal coIoring. She sat opposite me OF
the table 'hote, and when She first lifted
her eyes to mine started uncontrollably.
They were wonderful eyes, dark, tender,
with a certain childish appeal in them
which stirred all the chivalry in mans
nature in response. Unimpressionable,
soured old bachelor that was, found
myself on the instant vowing to protect
this beautiful creature, who was exceed
ingly well cared for, apparently, and had
no need of my protection whatever.
Mr. Westhaven was the most discon-
tented looking man l ever saw. Thin,
dark, restless, end with o nervous irri-
liability of manner which never varied ex-
cept when addressing his wife's sister,
Miss Carlyon, to whom he showed the
most affectionate consideration.
Miss Carlyon, for whose health Mr..
and Mrs. Westhaven were travelling, was
delicate, fragile creature, and except
for a sameness of contour of the faces
there was nothing to betray the relation
ship between the two women
We had been nearly q month in the
hotel together before became acquainted
with Westhaven. His manner was most
cordial, and he told me that he had asked
| for this introduction, saying that l was
not unknown to him by reputation, and
speaking in the kindest way Of the sue
cess had achieved in certain electrical
experiments He also confided to me
his own deep interest in studies of like
nature.
| Mrs. Westhaven met me with great
kindness, and Miss Carlyon raised her
head from the cushions of her chair and
gave me q tiny hand like O birds claw,
which was lost in my grasp She was q
weird, uncanny little creature, with gilt
teriug eyes full of q restless, suspicious
questioning, a marvelously white skin,
and thin, cruel mouth. An unpleasant
face altogether, though with some claims
to prettiness, and one from which gladly
turned to gaz upon that Of her beauti
full sister.
Ihave passionate admiration of beauty
in women, and Mrs. Westhaven's beauty
was fiawless and extended over her On
tire personality, to her delicate finger
tips, to her nrched, exquisite feet, hel
graceful, perfect pose, her swaying car
rage.
Mr.. westhaven was charming host
traveller, cultured, and treating o
many things with brilliant, glancint
satire which showed that he was close
10 not kind, student Of human nature
Miss Carlyon was evidently in sympath,
with him upon most subjects, and woul'
often carry out his idea gracefully from
the point where he left it. She was intel
lgent, wen read and witty.
After my first evening with this singuls
family group went out upon the piazz
J 10 indulge In o speculative smoke.
, think am not curious person. hav
prided myself oil my life upon an indiffeI
? ence 70 the affairs and interests Of othe
people, but there was about this family
: in spite Of gentle breeding and ease c
: manner, al atmosphere Of mystery whic
provoked, II not investigation, at Lea