Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1893-11-03
JANET LEE
In the Shadow of the
GaUOWS.
by DAVID LOWRY.
CHAPTER XVI-Contlnued.

CHAPTER XVI-Contlnued.
In tn I case, then, l ask permis ION 10
speak n my own behalf.
Janet Lee lifted her head proudly. All
eyes were turned upon her. The sun
rays streaming in through the window
bathed her in golden light. Her beauti-
full head-there was no shaplier head in
New England upheld with the pride
o; the Lees, her clear cut features i'm
pressed all there with a sense OF her
beauty, while her comp sure and courage
appealed to the sympathy of all around
her. Men and women gazed at her in
wonder, marveling at her se,f-posses-
sion.
Since my fathers apprentice is the
only witness against me and appeais as
my accuser, | crave the privilege of
questioning him."
Gorernor 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 go to Wills
Hill arc 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 l followed
you to see what you did with the cake and
MIX.
How do you know it is wrong to go
20 Wills Hill? Did you ever see the evil
ss..,or witch, there?"
"a Easily hesitated and twice choked
the swelling in his throat before lie
red.
y Goodman swore she saw the
ne on a Monday"
th horns and flaming eyes. added
ironically.
saw the horns," said Ezra, dog
a bnrbed ibid she not say
)1e15s like the fuke Of an anchors"
Yes; twas like fuke, she said, and
go terrible she fell in faint.
And just then her sister. Ann Bigger,
camo up behind my fathers corr That
was the evil one her sister Polly saw"
One of the magistrates smiled, and
some of the people held down their heads
10 conceal their merriment.
Has not Ann Bigger your promise to
marry her?" Janet asked, abruptly, as If
it was matter of course.
'Tis false!" Ann exclaimed. L never
got his promise" wherupon Deputy Dan
foith cou2hed, and the women put their
Then twas you who asked her, Ezra
was That the way of it?"
MI st answer her?" said the appren-
lice, shifting mis- feet, and evading the
elances of the curious crowd.
It is not necessary, janet continued,
Ikrslly. why, all here heard you call
k6n Ann Bis ger 10 bear you out.
i Is my affairs and Ann Bigger's to be
brought up here?" the apprentice de-
manded wrathfully.
But Janet demurely replied: you
brought Ann in, not |. Has Ann not
made you come and go at her biddiDg?"
No more than Arthur Proctor there
comes at your b dding.
Janet turned to the magistrates with
the utmost composure and said
Arthur Proctor has asked me to marry
him, and have given my promise"
Theu, ldressing her fathers apprentice
again:
Did you not say to Ann there was moth
ing short of death you would not risk to
please help"
u it fair AIMS affairs and mine
sho9ld be made public2" whined the ap-
rrenice.
is it fair or manly to make my af-
fairs public--you who betray your mas
.er?"
The people now pricked up their ears
as Janet's voice rose. She turned to Dep
upty Governor Danforth directly, and,
pointing to Ezra Easily, 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 pited, for he must be the
tool of another. j am as innocent OF the
charge brought against me as anyone
here. 'Twould be as fair for me 10 charge
This poor wretch as for him 10 testify
against me. And when you listen to a
tale of this sort you invite all who have
grudge against another to perjure them
selves, as this man his perjured himself.
Were | on the scatfold would say no
less. will say to the end that malice is
at the bottom of this matter, and 1 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 Dantortn
in a manner that indicated indt cisiol,
YOU have a 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 tomorrow.
"Let Dorothea Lee be sworn.
When Misires Lee arose all the women
in the room drew long breath, All
present knew her to be a woman above
repro lch, on | one whose kindness was
proverbial.
"Dorothea Lee, when did you last see
YOUR h, stands brother, Martin Lee?"
Dolcthea's lips moved. She tried 10
sneak. Suddenly those near her sprang
70 her aid but too late, for Dorothea Lee
dropped limp upon the floor. There was
n commotion, some shouting for air,
others calling for liquor or water, in the
mid of which Dorothea rose, and looked
about in dszed 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 b brother Martin. Didyo
see him then?"
Dorothea bowed.
What passed between them? They
had some angry words?"
Again Dorothea inclined her head.
L. Il.