San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-11-11
CHAPTER XII.
HAD SHE ANY FOLLOWERS?


There might have been curse Overhang-
ing the house, so dismal was its aspect. On
ly faint light gimmered here and there.
The servants crept close together round the
kitchen fire. and the hOuSekeeper Mrs Gee
making the shalloweSt excuses for desert
ing the solitude of her own alar nent, came
and kept them company.
Her ladyship had recovered from her
swOOn. had ordered the carriage, had been
to town to the Government office-intO the
room where her murdered husband lay, and
had returned, and was locked in her bed
chamber, having given strict instructions
that she was not to be disturbed.
The servants, by this time, all knew of
the second tragedy. Mrs. Gee, with an ashy
face, wondered what the world was coming
to. The servants shuddered, but could af-
ford no precise information on the point. 1t
might have been observ, that everybody
carefully avoided the backyard. In an
unused harness-rOOm there, upon an extern
pOriscd couch, lay the body Of Hester Par
fridge, the sheet covering it showing white
and ghaSt in thu faint moonlight filtered
between the ta"s cf = tiny window lighting
the place.
The two c0rOner's irquests were held with
Dut llJllt tlDuilU O0t-tU6 inquiry
into the cause of the death Of Sir Richard
Fordvce-the interest of all London centred.
Scarcely ever had the newspapers lighted
on more fruitful theme-a more fascinat-
ing scandal by the aid of which to sell
special editions.
The political world, the official world, the
fashionable world, the musical and theat-
rical world, were athirst for particulars,
whilst the religious world, deeply Mortified,
bought the latest news quickly, and groan-
ed.
There was no mystery about the crime or
the motive for it. The assassin confessed
fully. The ddnseuse, who was to some ex-
tent the cause of the calamity, had splen-
did engagement upon the Continent offered
her, which she was to fulfil as soon as legal
formalities would permit her to leave Lon
don.
No one pitied Sir Richard, of coursep Yes
one; one who wept bitterly for his loss.
'Its strange world" said Mr.. Green
graves, himself witness at the inquest,
after watching Lady Fordyce, choking her
sobs, leave the court leaning on the arm of
her legal adviser.
The other inquest-that on the obscure
servant-girl at Fuham-passed with hardly
thC VI all WOTlUy VI IT,
cord. Mrs Gee, poor old lady! in conse-
quence of the agitation of her feelings, gave
her evidence in such a confused manner
that the coroner twice cautioned her, Mr..
Charles had his say and was also affected.
Nobody could hazard any suggestion as to
the cause of suicide.
Had she any followers?" asked the coron-
er.
mo, sir-none. A most quiet and respect
able young woman"
mo relations%
mo one but her aunt"
"Where's her aunt2 Is she hereS'
mo, sir"
"Why is that?"
Here the policeman stepped forward to
explain that every inquiry had been made
with respect to the aunt, and that nothing
could be learnt of her whereabouts. The
deceased's box had been searched, butnot a
single scrap of paper had been found In 1t.
After some discussion as to whether the
aunts presence was necessary or not, 1t was
decided in the negative. A verdict was then
returned TO the effect that the deceased com
mitted suicide whilst in state of temporary
insanity; the coroner departed in a cab, and
the majority of the jury had glasses round
before taking their departure
"Now them" said one of the policemen to a
tawdrily-dressed, sloyenly, middle-aged wo-