Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-08-02
CHAPTER V.
THE CASE.


The case, which came on for trial a few
weeks later, was very briefly and imperfectly
reported in the papers. The facts. as they ap-
peared In the reports, were neither sensational
nor interesting. A certain Ruth Heron aged
twenty-one, unmarried, was charged with stab
bling and wounding, with intent to murder. one
Henry stoke. The prisoner was represented
Dy counsel, but there was practically no de-
tense, and the jury found their verdict withou,
leaving the box. In passing the sentence the
judge told the prisoner that only a providentlal
lnterpositlon had prevented her from being
charged with actual murder; he should SEN
tence her to the term of seven years penal
servltude. The prisoner who appeared per-
fectsy unmoved, then left the dock.
In the city there were some persons who
showed each ether the paper aud whispered,
.John Stokes eldest son. Devilish unpleasant
thing" week later the matter was clean
forgotten, save by the Younger men, who still
remembered the romantic episode in the life
OF Harry Stoke, and still told the tale how he
for dead.
The case was taken after luncheon When
the prisoner was placed in the dock, she lifted
her veil and looked round the court with SEEM
ing curiosity. She was pale but not trembling
or confused, nor did she appear in the least
no audible reply, but the official beside her
leaned over her and informed the court that
the prisoner pleaded not guilty.
The principal witness was Henry Stoke.
Considering ali the facts of the case, one might
have expected him to be in highly nervous
and agitated condition Of mind and body.
Yet he marched into the box upright and con-
fident. his cheek little flushed, without the
least apparent nervousness. The reasons OF
this was, suppose, a little note which lay in
his pocket. 1t contained these words:
MY sister bids me tell you that she will give
Mt al of hat
have Nc questions asked about her relations
with you What you say IN your evidence shall
90 unquestioned NAOMI"
He went into the box, therefore, fortified by
the knowledge that he could say anything he
pleased. Let us believe that he did really con-
ceIve himself to have been deliberately stabbed
by the girl; he SO well deserved that punish
ment that he had had no doubt in his mind as
to her having done it on purpose. He deposed
SIMPLY that the girl had called upon him; that
there had been an alteration; that the pris-
oner seized a small paper knife with a steel
blade and that he remembered nothing more
The counsel for the defense said he was in
structed to ask him one question: Could not
the wound have been inflicted by accident?
Witness said that he could not say.
The jury, without leaving the box, found the
prisoner guilty e. stabbing.
During the trial there was another sitting IN
the body OF the court beside the solicitor for
the prisoner. Another girl, evidently friend
OF the prisoner, for she was in deep distress
and sat with her handkerchief to her ewes
nearly all the time. But the prisoner showed
no sign OF any emotion. When the man whom
she had stabbed went into the box she looked
up curiously; after that she remained perfectly
still; her head was bent her hands were
crossed her eyes were raised; she received her
sentence, and she walked out of the dock after
ward with the same apparent callousness. II
was the other girl in the body OF the court who.
when the Judge concluded shrieked aIoud and
fell fainting on the floor.
Mr.. Harry Stoke walked quickly away. This
was the end of that romantic episode into which
he had crammed all the passion of which his
heart was capable, and all the treachery and
villainy Of which mankind at large is capable.
The counsel for the defense walked across
Fleet street to his chambers, in the Temple.
accompanied by a friend. briefess but without
envy.
81 was thinking, Jack" he said, but STONED.
$50 was l. said Jack.
81 was thinking" he began again.
"That II is beastly shame to lock up such
pretty girl for seven years."
"Yes, poor wretch. Why wouldn't the girl
ask any questions2 Why did she refuse any
Why wouldn't she allow
me to ask what the row was about? Did YOU
see her face, Jack? 1t wasn't murder in that
face, my friend, it was pride. She never meant
to stab him. Oh, he's a villain! He's a viii
lain! Poor child! 1 hope they win be kind to
her. But she's got to come out again, and her
life is ruined"