The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-07-20
JANET LEE
In the Shadow of the
GaUOWS.
SY DAVID LOWRY.
CHAPTER XvI-Continued.

rays streaming in through the window
bathed her in golden light. Her beautl-
full head-there was no shaplier head in
New England-was upheld with the pride
of the Lees, her clear cut features i'm
pressed all there with O sense of hel
beauty, while her composure and courage
appealed to the sympathy of all around
her. Men and women gazed at her IN
wonder, marveling at her self-posses-
sion.
Since my fathers apprentice is the
only witness against me, and appears as
nv accuser, / crave the privilege OF
questioning him."
Governor Danforth whispered with his
associates. There is no objection.
Janet seemed to grow in stature as she
turned to her fathers apprentice, whose
countenance betrayed perturbed spirit.
Ezra Easty, if all who 60 to Wills
Hill are in league with the evil one, why
may not accuse you of being in league
with the evil one?"
Il can prove by Ann here I followed
you to see what you did with the cake and
milk"
How do you know it is wrong to 20
to Willis Hill? Did you ever see the evil
one, or witch, there?"
Ezra Easty hesitated and twice choked
down the swelling ir his throat before be
answered.
Polly Goodman swore she saw the
evil one on Monday"
With horns and flaming eyes, added
Janet, ironically.
"She saw the horns," said Ezra, dog
gedly.
and a barbed tail-did she not say
twas like the tule of an anchor?"
Yes; twas like f1uke, she said, and
60 terrible she fell in faint"
And just then her sister, Ann Bigger,
came up behind my fathers coac. That
was the evil one her sister Polly saw"
One Of the magistrates smiled, and
some of the people held down their heads
to conceal their merriment.
Has not Ann Bigger your promise to
marry her?" Janet asked, abruptly, as If
it was matter Of course.
1'Tis false!" Ann exclaimed. Il never
got his promise, wherupon Deputy Dan
forth coughed, and the women put their
handkerchiefs to their faces.
Then twas you who asked he. Ezra
was that the way Of it?"
Must answer her2" said the appren-
tice, shifting his feet, and evading the
glances Of the curious crowd.
1T is not necessary" Janet continued.
briskly. why, all here heard You call
on Ann Bigger to bear you out.
rs my affairs and Ann Bigger's to be
brought up here?" the apprentice de-
manded wrsthfully.
But Janet demurely replied: you
brought Ann in, not I. Has Ann not
made you come and 60 at her bidding?"
No more than Arthur Proctor there
comes at your bidding"
Janet turned to the magistrates with
the utmost composure and said:
Arthur Proctor has asked me to marry
him, and have given my promise.
Then, addressing her fathers apprentice
again:
Did you not say to Ann there was moth
please her?"
is it fair AIMS affairs and mine
should be made public2" whined the ap-
prentice.
rs it fair or manly to make my at.
fairs public--you who betray your mas
teri"
The people now pricked up their ears
as Janet's voice rose. She turned to Dep
upty Governor Danforth directly, and,
pointing to Ezra Easty, continued:
This man is ungrateful to my father.
In his pitiful cowardice and ignorance he
attributes motives to me such as animate
creatures like himself. If this poor
wretch. who dares not look me in the
face, be not my accuser, then SO much
more is he to be pitied, for he must be the
tool Of another. I am as innocent of the
charge brought against me as anyone
here. 'Twould be as fair for me to charge
this poor wretch as for him TO testify
against me. And when you listen to
tale of this sort you invite all who have
grudge against another to perjure them
selves, as this man has perjured himself.
Were I on the scsffold I would say no
less. will say to the end that malice is
ut the bottom of this matter, and will
assert my innocence.
When Janet Lee ended her speech with
suppressed passion the listeners looked
at each other. 1t was plain that all were
favorably impressed. The judges con-
suited, and commanded John Lee to be
sworn.
John Lee," said Governor Danforth
in a manner that indicated indecision,
you have o brother named Martini"
John Lee bowed.
do you know where your brother is
now?"
Il do not"
when did you see him last:"
1T will be two weeks TO- morrow"
Let Dorothea Lee be sworn"
When Mistress Lee arose all the women
In the room drew long breath. All
present knew her to be q woman above
proverbial.
-Dorothea Lee, when did you last see
your husbands brother, Martin Lee?"
Dorothea's lips moved. She tried to
speak. Suddenly those near her sprang
to her aid, but too late, for Dorothea Lee
dropped limp upon the floor. There was
q commotion, some shouting for air,
Others calling for liquor or water, in the
mid-t of which Dorothea rose, and looked
about in dazed manner like one waking
from sleep. Deputy Danforth spoke to
the magistrate on his left, who resumed
the examination.
Your husband says it is two weeks
since he saw brother Martin. Didyou
see him tbep?"
Dorothea bowed.
what passed between them? They
had some angry words?"
Again Dolothea inclined ner head.
Your husband taxed his brother with
grelt follv?'
He did.
when Martin Lee walked away, did
not John Lee say he wished Martin had
not been born to bring disgrace on the
name OF Lee, and did he not hope never
TO see hi' face again."
Again Dorothea strove to speak, and
again her tongue refused to obey her.
"Otiicer." said the magistrate, let Ann
Bigger be sworn"