Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1894-06-21

Yes"
You did not know that he thought
OF proposing to herr
'N-o'-stu with evident hesita ton;
and then, with a CLEAN of defiance
How should L.
of course not His attentions were.
L believe, so equally divided that no
one seems to have known for whom
they were especially intended. Per
haps you yourself were also in the
darkT'
The blood rushed to the girls face
and something rising in her throat
prevented an immediate rejoinder:
then she said TO the coroner
L never thought about it, nor did
Ada, till he spoke
You disapproved Of the match?'
That would Rave been rather a
sens"-ess thing on my part. don : y:u
think, 81 eng that l had no power 10
prevent it? Besides, Mr. Weare was
rich and we'll connected; it was more
for his friends to object than for me-"
The girl started nervously
WAS it about Mr.. Weare?"
No reply; but throughout the small
hurriedly formed court silence was
taken to mean assent
Il decline to tell you anything Of a
conversation that was strictly private
she said at last, with an effort.
Il must warn you, in your own in
terests, Miss Warrington, that this
silence is ill-judged, and may be mis-
understood" said the coroner, severely.
Il am not afraid Of what people may
think or say. Anything I can tell you
connected with my sisters death I will
certainly not withhold, but the CONVEX
sation referred to occurred a week ago,
! and has nothing to do with it."
That you should allow us to Judge"
suggested the coroner; but when the
girl maintained an obstinate silence,
either from courtesy or from pity he
refrained from pressing the question.
"This pistol is said to be yours" he
observed, changing the subject
abruptly, and touching the weapon as
he spoke
Eyes it's mine. Where did you find
it?''
"Near the place were your sister
was found dead last night
The girl stared at him helplessly the
pallor of her face rendered yet more
noticeable by the crimson of her parted
! lips and her dark be-ringed eyes
There was intense excitement, and
, the coroner could not resist a dra-
matte denouement
There is no doubt" he declared,
gravely, that it was the instrument
which caused your sisters death"
ooh, no-nO-n0!'
She had fallen upon her knees. and
sobbed rather than spoke the words in
paroxysm of horror-or was it fear?
The elderly gentleman who had of
fered her a chair on her first entrance
came nearer to her, unnoticed in the
general movement.
"YOu lost it-mislaid it." he said. In
a low voice, as though speaking to
himself, vet intending the remark for
her,
II must have left it at the theater
last nightn' she gasped, III a whisper,
! answering him perhaps-or was it
merely prompt adoption of his sug-
! gestiOn?
II beg your pardon-may I request
/ you to speak Iouder?" said the coroner.
More composed now, the girl re-
peated what she had just said, but
without uncOvering her face. Had she
/ guessed TO what all these Questions
were leading. what was the terrible
suspicion that was gradually growing
and establishing itself in mems minds?
'Yet you had carried it habitually
for nearly a month? How came you to
forget it?"
"My sister was AZ xious to leave. and
| in hurrying, I must have over
| looked it."
Yet she had an appointment to wait
for and drive home with Mr.. Weare."
! "She did not tell me so''
Then you left the theater together?"
| She was standing now once more.
composed and self-reliant, and merely
! answered by bowling her head
/ 'Then where and why did you partT'
"My sister said she wished to walk
/ through the gardens
/ And you refused to accompany
J her?'
"She did not ask me to do So
Were you in the habit of separat-
ing in such a manner?"
TO be Continued.)