Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1892-06-16
CHAPTER NNVII.

Mr.. Stanmore, you forget yourself,
said Paxton, and then to Judith Kredge:
Go on, give us the proof of this in
credible accusation of yours.
4 will tell you all, " replied the wom-
an. ~On the night of the murder was
i'll, and left my room at about l o'clock
and went to Marion's room to procure
some medicine. To my surprise Marion
was not in her room. 1 heard a sound
below, and looking over the rail at the
head of the stairs I saw Marion come
out Of the office with a pistol in one
hand and sheet of paper covered with
writing in the other. 1 watched her and
saw her steal up the stairs and enter her
room where she concealed the pistol in
the bottom of her trunk, and it is there
now.
After that she came to my room, and
with pretended anxiety about her father
induced me TO go down to the office,
where we found the old man dead. Now
you know why 1 think Marion Oakburn
is guilty"
Thus concluded Judith Kredge.
1T is all clever invention, no doubt,
and if there is q pistol in Marion Oak
burns trunk suspect you put it there, q"
said Paxton.
This is no more than might have
anticipated" answered Judith, with an
injured air.
While she was making her revela-
ton. Stuart Harland was intensely agi-
tated.
Thus far he had kept the secret that
he had seen Marion leave the office on
the night of the murder, but now since the
truth was revealed by the ianitOr's sis
ter he felt that it was his duty to relate
what he knew.
zone moment, Mr.. Paxton, believe
you are too hasty. 1, too, have con-
cealed a certain item Of knowledge
regarding this crime, because did not
wish to bring suspicion and disgrace
upon one whom 1 believe to be innocent,
despite the evidence of my own sight,
from my knowledge OF her character, 0"
said Stuart Harland.
This is becoming interesting" said
Paxton
DO you confirm this woman's story?"
demanded Stanmore.
Listen, sir" answered Stuart, and
then he went on to relate how on the
night of the murder, as he was leaving
the house Just after the crime must have
been committed, he saw Marion step
out of the office with a paper in one
hand, and something from which the
light glinted as though il might have
been reflected from a polished metallic
surface in the other.
He also told how frightened Marion
looked, and how she had fed up the rear
stairs.
In conclusion he said:
After all, have so much confidence
in Marion, as 1 have said, that be-
lieve there is some explanation of her
conduct yet TO be made which will
leave US all without doubt of her limo
cence."
As Stanmore listened to Stuart Har-
lands story he uttered a groan and
buried his face in his hands.
Both Stuart and Paxton regarded
him wonderingly, and they asked them
selves:
What is Marion Oakburn to Mr.. STAN
more?"
AS Stuart concluded, Stanmore arose
and he looked as though the room was
sitting him, as though he could not
breathe, and he went out Keeling like
drunken man.
Have done right in telling all this?"
asked Stuart OF Paxton
You have. Justice demands that all
possible light should be cast upon this
case, answered the detective.
Judith Kredge seemed delighted at
Stuart's unexpected confirmation of her
statement.
Now you Will believe mel" she cried.
Yes, we believe your statement that
you saw Marion Oakburn as described.
but we do not yet admit her guilt as
proven, answered Paxton.
If more evidence is wanted, it is fur
nished by her flight She ran away be-
cause she became alarmed and feared
she would be arrested" continued Ju-
dith-
And so you are guilty of compound
ing felony, Miss Judith, said Paxton
suddenly.
IL don't comprehend"
Z presume not. Let me refresh your
memory. Marion Oakburn bribed you
to keep 1t g secret that you saw her
leave the ONCE on the night Of the MUIR
der.
,Nol Nola
I know Il Is true. Yeu wEuns tie