Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1889-03-28

lyon shaii, asr" 49, III Drown, and
Immediately hurried away to carry Jim's
wish into effect
In the course of a minute or two the
bar maid appeared evidently in almost a.
great fright - she had been on the day
Of the inquest
Good day" said jim. civilly-"er-ds
you mind shutting the door,
Miss Neeking shut the door and i'd
vanced very slowly and unwillingly to-
ward the fireplace. keeping her terrified
eyes fixed on jim the while
Jim handed her chair. You had bet
ter sit down, had you not!' he said, in the
came civil tone. Il shall not keep you
long. but you look Ill, You had better
sit down
Miss Meeking sa, down. jim. on the
contrary. stood up with his back to the
FIRE. there was q moments silence
You are perhaps little surprised at
my wishing to see you, Jim began. and
dare say you will be more surprised still
when you have heard what have to say
to you. | wanted. however, 10 see YOU
about the evidence you gave at the in
quest the other day
VIVA. about il! | told all knew"
the bar maid flashed out.
Excuse me. said jim. very politely.
but you did nothing Of the kind-you
told very little and as it happens. you
know great deal
Miss Meeking started up from her chair.
but Jim lnotioned TO her TO sit down, mo-
toned with q gesture so imperative that
she was compelled to obey.
You did not tell the truth, Miss Meek
ing" said he. severely. and though it is
possible YOU do not know it, they call
false evidence by the ugly name Of per
jury"
And what did l say false?" She
framed the words with her pallid and
trembling lips rather than spoke them.
You implied 4 great deal. You sup
pressed all that passed between YOU and
Capt Owen about ring ysu were wearing
AZ the time. You did not tell the jury that
YOU had given your word to Capt Owen
that you would have nothing more to do
with Mr.. Earle, or that the self same
night you broke your word, while it was
almost yet in your mouth. and actually
told Mr. Earle what sent him strai int
back TO barracks in = blind passion.
and
Sir. said she, rising and going toward
him, las there is God in heaven above
us did not break my word at all. told
him-Tom. that is-that I'd have no more
to do with him. that i'd seen hrS set
against 4 marriage his people would be.
and how it would be the ruin OF him.
told him his father would never overlook
it or receive me- and that we couldn t be
married without his father for we couldn't
live Oh nothing And then Tom went
into a fury-poor boy, he is that passion
ate-and asked for the ring So had to
out and tell him that I'd given it to Capt.
Owen and that he could get it from him.
And with that he just cursed me and
Capt Owen. too. and went. and | never
saw him again till saw him at the in
quest.
"Is that true2" Jim asked. search
ingly
True as that God is above u.s." Rose
Meeking answered. solennly MIR Beres-
ford. I'd no idea Of his going back and
numbering him, and if shielded him it
was because believed in my heart the
poor lad was beside himself when he
did it."
And supposing that suspicion had
grown against mef' said Jim. Would
you have shielded him at the cost of my
lifey"
No, Mr.. Beresford, would not If
you had not been cleared that day should
have given him the chance of getting
away, and then | should have spoken out.
1t was that that made me SO nervous and
frightened before the jury. | was terri
fed lest should clear one at the expense
Of the other"
But do you know that am Eoi clear"
said jim. gravely 80 long AS this mys-
terry remains l may be brought up again
at any time and charged with my friend 3
murder"
Il should SPEAK for you in that case.
Mr. Beresford," said the bar maid. with
dignity.