Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1894-06-28
NCOQunupd.

wishing to go alone them
you know-some one has told you
that we had had disagreement" She
reminded the coroner, nervously.
THAT was last Friday. 1t must have
been a serious difference Of opinion
not to have righted itself quickly"
1T was a serious difference Of opin-
Dn"
Yet YOU decline to tell me the
cause?"
''Indeed-indeed it has nothing to do
with the cause Of my sisters DEATH"
she protested, earnestly.
And there is no one that you know
who had sufficient motive, for commit
ting such a crime"'
There is no one-no one" she re-
piled in a tone of such deep conviction
that it seemed almost as though she
was anxious to persuade herself as
well as those who were around her.
And you were the last one to see
her alive?" observed the coroner medi-
force and significance Of his remark.
But the young actress with a
woman's natural quickness, saw her
danger at once, and shrunk back
trembling, her hands appraised as if
to ward off a blow.
''Not-not the last!' she whispered
hoarsely with her eyes raised implor-
ingly.
He corrected himself at once, his
correction not entirely uninfuenced by
her beauty and her pathetic look.
II beg your pardon, Miss Warrington
1 should have said the last person
we know as yet. May I ask at about
what time you left the theater?'
'At eleven o'clock. My sister looked
at her watch and told me the time"
And, according to the evidence, you
arrived at your house about an hour
later? What is the time you usually
allow yourself for the walk from the
theater?"
about a quarter of an hour
"Yet last night you took about three
times as long?'
II was walking up and down the
street waiting for her."
and yet when you went in, you
asked if she had returnedT'
II thought I might have missed
her.
THAT will do, Miss Warrington; I
have no further inquiries to make. I
will not detain you any longer"
May I go?' she asked, with an
eagerness tingled slightly with sur
prise.
Yes, you may co.
She turned to leave the room with a
lighter tread and a more erect bearing
than those with which she had entered
it. At the door she half turned and
surveyed the crowd Of which she had
been the central figure. Her slow gaze
rested last upon the gentleman who
had twice come to her assistance.
Then, with a deep sigh Of relief, she
withdrew.
Though the tide of public opinion
had wavered. even turned once or
twice as the inquiry proceeded. there
was not one person in the room but
thought her guilty; yet when she had
gone no one fastened to express his
opinion to his neighbor. The sym
pathy she excited overcame the first
strong feeling of righteous indigna
ton. Every one was hoping that
others had been less clear-sighted, and
that some strong doubt might prevent
the coroner from putting their convic-
ton into words.
What would the jury decide? 1t was
fearful thing to accuse any woman
of so terrible a crime without strong
unquestionable proofs. No mere cir
cumstantial evidence could justify
such an act.
Whether from some such considera-
ton or from pure compassion, the
verdict given was the simple one
"Willful murder against some person
or persons unknown" and, curiously
enough, though it clashed with the
opinion of most present. not a word
of dissent was heard. The crowd dis
persed with wonderful quietude; only
two or three, with bated breath, wills
pered the different conclusion to which
they had been forced to come. But
for the present it was all over; no
more could be done now, whatever
might happen later. In few minutes
the room was almost empty.
AS the chief of the police, who had
been watching the case, turned away
after a short, low-toned discussion
with the coroner, the elderly gentle
man who was apparently interested
in the case of the suspected girl ad-
dressed him.
What is to be the next mover' he
asked, carelessly.
"a bad one for the poor girl, l am
afraid. The evidence against her is
too strong to be ignored"
"Circumstantialr'-
"Well, all evidence of the kind is,
more or less. It is not often that any |
one actually sees a murder committed. |
It seemed scarcely fair to question her |
today; for she hardly attempted a
defense. She was on her trial without |
the benefit of a lawyers advice, and
she seemed to be scarcely aware that |
she was not obliged to incriminate her
SELF
You believe her to be the murder
ess 2"
well, if l must say the truth. I |
have no doubt in my own mind but
that under strong provocation Elaine |
was the murdereSS. the
motive having been jealousy