The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-03-16
A CLOSE CALL.

The day of the trial arrived. Karl Strut
| gen had given up all hope of being saved,
for the evidence was all against him. IL
was known that be had Quarreled with bis
father the night before the murder, and
that enc of his cuff-buttons had been dis
covered in the dead mans bed
| But the girl he loved never deserted him
| for a moment, and in disguise had sought
high and low to find the real murderer
Such was Isabel Vane, the woman he hoped
to marry
The defense was feeble, though more than
one spoke kindly OF Karl, and especially Oh
his fondness for his old father, but nothing
positive was brought out until the name Oh
| Isabel Vane was called.
The old Judge startled and looked aston
! ished as his daughter came forward and
took her place on NE witness-Stand She
| was very pale, but calm, wonderful calm,
| more intense than great excitement, as the
prisoner felt and understood.
Poor child, what can she know to help
me? She W i'll only bring censure upon her
self"
OWN you please state to the court, Miss
Vane, what you know in regard to this
case"
The dark eyes of the girl were raised for
an instant TO the jury. then pleadingly to
her father, and her voice tritie raised,
clear and distinct, answered:
kHOW tldI NdEI CITuitSeU HAS bttu
falsely accused and that the whole affair IS
plot to ruin HIM by his cousin, George
Struttgen, and Jennie Smith, the house
maid"
murmur ran over the crowded court
room. The old Judge looked at his daughter
| in CONSERVATION.
Il know this and am prepared to prove it.
| George Struttgen regarded the girl in
| startled manner and his nervousness in
creased as he found himself between two
wei known detectives.
Stinson rose for the defendant
=" Ii your Honor please, we are prepared
to confirm the lady's words"
George Struttgen," continued the wit
ness, has been gambling more heavily
than ever Karl did and using his employ
| lost over $1,000 at
How do you know this; were you pres
ent?"
A slight ripple followed this question, but
the answer was wholly unexpected.
Yes; | was present. | know what l
state to be facts; others will confirm my
words also. went to the gambling-hall in
| disguise purp0sely to follow George Strut
! gen. l kept close 10 his Side, saw him later
meet his accomplice, Jennie Smith, and
| heard much concerning the murder"
At this point the counsel for the defense
| ordered that George Struttge1 and Jennie
Smith be placed under arrest.
From their conversation | learned that
the sleeve button had been procured by
| Jennie and placed in her masters bed-the
Seeve-buttOn belonging to Karl Struttgen
| that was found and produced here as EVIL
dence of his guilt"
Even the old Judge bent forward and
| listened eagerly to her words; the whole
| courtroom was full OF almost breathleSS
| listeners.
The murder was committed by George
Struttgen, and not Karl, as he acknowl-
| edged in my presence 10 his accomplice, al
though he was not aware of my close proX
unity"
Other witnesses were called.
Georges gambling debts and losses were
proved cOncluSvey, and the terrified house
maid acknowledged all when closely queS-
toned.
Georges reason for the murder was the
great need of money, and he knew himself
to be generously remembered in the will;
also hidden motive that only Isabel Vane
understood, namely, that he had discovered
her love for his wild cousin, and his own
love for herself.
Karl had listened in amazement and could
scarcely realize that he was free, and
that his Cousin George had fallen into his
own net.
The old Judge grasped his hand and said
heartily:
Pm rejoced, my boy, at your good for
tune. Let US hope you will now begin
anew"
God helping me, will, Judge"
George was convicted but eluded the
hangman by dose of poison. but Jennie
Smith received ten years in the peniteutary
and served out seven vi them, when death
released her.
Karl did begin anew and succeeded Won
derfully, and in the staid business man, the
devoted husband and father, no one would
think OF calling bin now the black sheep of
the iaMllV.-BOStOn Globe.