Fort Worth weekly gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1889-08-29
ntly, with flash Of Indignation at MIR

- w hat ola she say
''You know what she said - burst out
Mary in a tit of womanly petulance, al
most crying with rage and vexation.
50 want you to tell US, if you please,
said the coroner with calm kindliness.
''She said, why did I do it? - mur-
INJURED poor Mary.
Anything else?'
and l dare not tell him -
''What time did she come in?''
"A quarter to two.
'EYou can swear to that?''
II can
''Do you recognize this?'' And once
more the pearl handled knife was pro-
duced
"'Yes-yes. 1t is hers"
"Whose?'
"Miss Ennis -
A shudder of surprise ran through the
spectators, for when Miss Ennis had her
self claimed it ca the previous occasion
no one was aware OF the circumstances of
its discovery, and its consequent impor-
lance.
Mrs. Harrod was another witness
whom Mr.. Padger's diligence had I'M
earthed She knew Mrs Ennis quite
well by sight, and had occupied the ma
chine next TO hers on the day of the muir
der. She was in the water about 1866
o clock, when she heard a sort of gasp
from the next machine.
Was it q cry of fear or pain?''
''No; it was, as L have said, a sort CT
surprised gasp, as if some one had found
the water colder than she expected -
did you hear any further sOund?''
Ono; nothing whatever.
"Did you see anything unusual?'
''Nothing; the hoods of the machine
prevented that.
Miss Harrod, daughter of the above,
confirmed her mother evidence.
Miss Gertrude Ennis, said the coro-
ner after pause.
A buzz of excitement followed, but
was instantly suppressed, aud every eve
was turned upon her as she rose from her
seat. Every eye save one. for though
she seemed TO Mr.. Padger to east a doubt
full glance in the direction of the young
doctor, he kept his'eyes fixed firmly on
the ground before him. A soundless
culver of expectation thrilled everyone
as she took her place, like the wave that
fits along a cornteld beneath the feet of
the wind. To some her association with
the knife was sufficient proof OF her guilt,
to others her beauty was confirmation of
her innocence.
For some minutes the coroner remained
absorbed apparently in studying his
notes, while Gertrude gazed calmly
round the room. Not man in the room
doubted her innocence; scarcely a woman
believed in it
"You left the machine at half past
twelve, you say, said the coroner, sud
denly.
AT half past twelve. -
Where did you go?''
"HOme. -
''Straght home?''
Gertrude flushed, but remained silent.
81 must caution you that you are on
your oath. Did you go straight homer
Still there was no answer, and Mr..
Padger was aware OF otFious tingling
sensation in his spine.
do you decline to answer?
A silence perfectly terrible AlsasssSom-
pleteness followed. whilAssSfe slowly
bowed her head without sneaking.
''How long does it tak6ssQ go from the
bathing place to your fatheF@sp5s ;,
"About twenty minutes. - 49,
Why did you take an hour fd
quarter?''
81 cannot tell you.
''YOu mean that you will not -
Gertrude flushed again, but did not re-
ply.
''Where were you in the meantime?'
81 cannot tell you.
"'You refuse to give any account of
your actions between half past twelve
and quarter before two?
81 do. -
every well. That viii do. -
A deep sigh rustled through the room
as each of the spectators drew III his
breath after the strained suspense of the
last few minutes. The coroner consulted
his notes carefully for some time aud
then he began to address the jury He
up dispassionateiy Having
the medical evidence, and
proved from the position i'll which the
knife was found that Mrs. Ennis could
not possibly have flung it away after
herself, he reminded the jury
that though the circumstances were uu-
suspicious there was no absO-
lutte proof that the knife produced was
tee weapon used to perpetrate the crime,
and having succinctly stated the rest of
the dispositions he dismissed them to con-
slider their verdict.
Time dragged YEARLY along, and still
they renamed absent. As minute after
minnie rolled away the excitement grew
more and more intense. The dinner
hour of many of the audience passed but
not soul moved from the place. The
tension already extreme became almost
when two policemen entered
The room. Had the jury found Miss En-
MS guilty and was she about to be ar
rested?
Mary Carne was sobblng bitterly, the
young doctor pale rs a ghost sat with
ook of fixed mental agony, Miss Ennis
alone appeared quite unmoved. Mr..
Padger, watching her closely, could not |
perceive q sign Of emotion on her calm I
face. Either she was innocent or she |
was most accomplished hypocrite? !
W hich of the two was the case, he won
Tered.
At the end of an hour and a half the |
Jury sent for the coroner, and he re-
absent about twenty minutes, |
Dut when he returned he returned alone. /
At length the tramp of feet was heard !
n the passage, and the jury re-entared |
he room. Everyone tried to read their
decision in their faces, but in vain
After the usual formalities the fore
nan announced the verdict 1t was one
If murder against a person or persons