San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1891-11-02

him wringing her hands, II ask nothing
but to be allowed five minutes converse
ton with Mrs. Melville. Has any one
here seen her since last night? What
does she say Of me? Will no one go for
herr"
Mr.. Gates beckoned me into the outer
Office and asked:
Have you any objections to her see
ing Mrs. Melville?"
heSitated. had my own ideas con-
corning the two murders that had taken
place on Mrs. Clark Melville's premises.
l did not approve of the course Mrs.
Clark Melville had taken with regard to
Mrs. Green.
Hold on" said Officer Gates, inter
rupting a train of thought that would
certainly have led to a refusal; Il be-
heve | know what you are thinking OF.
You think that an interview between
Mrs. Green and Mrs. Clark Melville is
more tnan likely to result in the CON
tinued interference of Mrs. Clark Mel
vile in behalf of the prisoner. Let NE
tell you how to place yourself in posi-
ton to counterfeit such interference.
You shall hear every word that passes
between the two ladies. Then, if Mrs.
Melville has any motive whatever other
than her natural kindness of heart in
again throwing her powerful influence
between the prisoner and the law, you
snail know what it is"
With this understanding | consented
that the prisoner should see Mrs. Mel
vile if she called.
Mr.. Gates must have gone directly to
Mrs. Melville's house, for in half an hour
her carriage was standing in front of the
station, and she was facing Mrs. Green
in the private Office.
1t is not necessary that l should de-
scribe the spot from which | heard the
conversation that followed. 1t is enough
to say that | could not have heard it
palmer had occupied a seat in the room.
All police stations have, l believe, secret
and convenient rooms for the use of Off
GERS in cases of emergency.
Mrs Melville's first words were words
of sympathy.
Il am sorry to see you here" she said.
Mrs. Green's only answer was burst
of tears.
Tell me-" said Mrs. Melville kindly,
"why you left the asylum. Did you
leave it voluntarily, my poor child?"
Yes"
cat midnight, and with person who
a few moments later and in your very
presence made an attempt to kill an Of
ficer of the peace"
Yes, oh, yes! Have pity on Inc!
Have pity on yourself"
Il don't like the looks of it," went on
the kind voice. The public officers
have time and again objected to my in
reference in your behalf. How do |
know that the public officers are not re-
sponsible for your leaving the asylum
and for your being in custody now?
How do | know that the attempt on the
otficers life WAS not a subterfuge"
"Kindest of women and best of friends,
if you only knew"
My poor child, what is to prevent my
knowing? In all the years you lived in
my house you never deceived me. Are
you going to begin now"
Il can't speak the words. When l
open my lips your peace of mind will be
at an end. Strike me dead before make
your life as unhappy as my own"
II don't understand you, my poor
child. Speak OUT
For moment there was silence in the
room; then l heard the prisoners voice,
speaking slowly and between sobs:
Try, oh, try to understand! Recall
to mind the anxiety you felt and tried in
vain to hide the day Richard and loi-
tered on the little lawn at the asylum.
Gro back to the talk of the servants in
your house. Think how unlike your son
Richard has been for days and days, and
then have pity and do not ask me who
accompanied me from the asylum last
night! Have pity and do not ask me
in whose house and under what circum-
stances found the man who wed me
years ago in Maine
A sharp ring of the bell on my Office
table was the only reply. Officer Gates
and entered the room by different doors
at the same instant.
Gentlemen" Mrs Melville said
kindly, but with a hard look on her
motherly face, 1.-The insane fancy of this
poor creature has wrecked, for the time
being, the happiest home in New York.
You, MIR. Gates, heard me say at the
coroner's Office that was aiding her in
every way in my power in her search
for her faithless husband. She now
claims to have found that husband in
my son. She admits That it was he who
accompanied her from the asylum last
night. YOu may well imagine to what
pitch of desperation she drove him be.