Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1891-03-08

clumsy formality of military court,
Mr.. Hearn slowly wrote his question on
a slip of paper and handed it TO the
Judge advocate; the latter read il,
threw it down, and pettishly exclaimed:
This is mere waste of valuble time,
say. The witness has practically an
swered this all before"
What is the question:" asked the
President.
The accused asks the witness to
state so the court what reason he has
for being so positive about the time
these entries were made. So long as
my witness is positive | conceive it to
be no affair of the defense why or how
he is"
"0h, see no special object in the
question" said Grace, yet there is no
improperly in asking it. AT all events,
l am entirely willing to bear the re-
sponsibility. The witness will answer"
Could he but have seen the flash OF
gratitude in Miss Marshal's eyes. 1t
was Only flash. Almost instantly
again they were fixed on the pudgy
features of the witness.
'Why, certainly, gentlemen, can
answer. Mr. Braine died in the spring
of 50, and couldn't have told me to make
those entries after he was dead, could
he? No. They were made, just as l
said. in the winter of 's3 and during the
year of 50, just when he told me to
make them
Are you satisfied" asked the judge
advocate. turning sharply TO Hearn.
1af ~
gentleman placidly, as his pencil rap
idly copied another question on the slip
before him. Finishing this he arose.
Il beg to ask the special attention of
the court to this question" he said.
There fell a hush as of death upon
the throng. With parted lips Georgia
Marshall again bent eagerly forward
until she could see the jews twitching
face. Schonberg turned shade paler
and glanced half appealingly up at the
lawyer. who, with a sheer OF assumed
contempt. held forth his hand for the
slip. But Hearn looked straight into
LAWYERS eyes. The Judge advocate
took the paper, turned it careleSsly
over, elevated his nose with apparent
Indifference, leaned back in his chair,
glanced at it, started.
Let me see that book" he exclaimed,
as he Sprang to his feet, holding forth
an eager hand.
presently, sir" answered Hearn,
holding the volume behind him. kind
ly put the question first"
Don't let that book CO. whispered
Miss Marshall hastily, her words add
dressed to Kenyon, yet meant for ana
heard by Hearn. Mabel Lanes face
was flushed with excitement. Every
eye in the room was intent on the scene.
What is the question, Mr.. Judge
Advocate?" sharply inquired Col. Grace.
why do you seek to suppress it?'
Il protest against the inSinuation,
sir. | simply seek to protect an honest
man from insult. ask the accused for
book that | may satisfy myself he has
reason for a question otherwise unjuSti-
fable"
Mr.. Presid ent, demand the ques-
tisn as right" exclaimed Hearn in
tones thrilling with excitement and
ringing through the court. The wit
ness has sworn he made these entries
in 'S3 and "a. Look, gentlemen, look
at this page one and all, and compel
the answer.
He sprang forward and laid the book
in Grace'S hand.
Hold it to the light, sir. Look at the
water mark | demand an answer TO
my question"
Trembling with emotion, his blue
eyes ablaze, his fingers working nerv-
ously, the young soldier lowered above
the heads of the court. Every breath in
all the great room seemed hushed,
though hearts beat and hammered like
mad. All eyes were on Grace now as
he adjusted his glasses. held the page
aloft and scrutinized the paper. Then
with a quick CLEAN in his sharp old
eyes, he beckoned excitedly to Matt
land, pointed with his forefnger to the
waving lines of the water marks, and
dropped the book upon the table, his
finger between the leaves, threaten
ing frown on his brow.
"Put the question, Mr.. Judge Advo-
cate" his stern voice was heard through
the room. "And you, sir, answer
LAWYER hesitated one minute, glanced
obviously around. Then, as thong see
ing the bopeleSSneSS Of resistance, he
read in accents that trembled despite
his efforts these word:
How was it possible for you to write
in SO and 81 on paper that was not
manufactured unit two years after
ward?"
fro RE CONTINUED.