Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-08-09

before. This time I knew 1 couldn't, unless
l killed him. She's lived with me in that
house for over forty years. There are other
ties as strong as the marriage one, that are
just sacred. What right had he to take
her away from me and break up my
home?
II overheard your father and Rufus Ben
nett having words. l thought folks would
think he did it. I reasoned it all out. had
watched your cat go in that little door. l
knew the shed door unlocked, knew how
long my arm was; l thought 1 could undo
it, L stole over here little after midnight.
| went all round the house to be sure no.
body was awake. Out in the front yard l
happened to think my shears were tied on
my belt with ribbon, and l united them.
| thought l put the ribbon in my pocket-it
was piece of yellow ribbon-but 1 suppose
I didn't. because they found it afterward.
and thought it came off your young mans
whip.
Il went round to the shed door, unlocked
it and went in. The moon gave light
enough. l got out your fathers overalls
from the kitchen closet; knew where they
were. l went through the sitting room to
the parlor. In there 1 slipped off my dress
and my skirts and put the overalls l
put handkerchief over my face, leaving
only my eyes exposed. l crept out then
into the sitting room; there l pulled off my
shoes and went into the bed room.
"YoNr father was fast asleep; it was such
hot night the clothes were thrown back
and his chest was bare The first thing I
bed. I suppose he had had some fear of
Rufus Bennett coming back after ALL Sud-
denly l thought I'd better shoot him. 1t
would be surer and quicker; and if you
were aroused knew that l could get away
and everybody would suppose he had shot
himself
Il took up the pistol and held it close to
his head. l had never fired a pistol, but
knew how it was done. / pulled, but it
would not go Off. Your father stirred a lit
tle-1 was mad with terror-I struck at his
head with the pistol. He opened his eyes
and cried out: then 1 dropped the pistol ana
took these" phoebe Dole pointed to the
great shining shears hanging at her waisD
FOR l am strong in my wrists. I only
struck twice-over his heart
'Then l went back into the sitting room.
l thought l heard a noise in the kitchen--I
was full of terror then-and slipped into the
sitting room closet. 1 felt if I were
fa;nting and clutched the shelf to keep
from falling.
Il felt that I must so upstairs to see If
you were asleep-to be sure you had not
walked UP when your father cried out. I
thought if you had l should have to do the
same by you. 1 crept upstairs to your
chamber. You seemed asleep, but as 1
watched you stirred little. But instead of
striking at you I slipped into your closet. 1
heard nothing more from you. felt myself
wet with blood. l caught hold of something
hanging in your closet and wiped myself of
with 1t. knew by the feeling it was your
green silk. You kept quiet and 1 saw you
were asleep. SO crept out of the closet and
down the stairs, got my clothes and shoes,
and, out on the shed, took off the overalls
and dressed myself. l rolled up the over
alls and took the board away from the old
Well and threW them IN as went home. l
thought if they were found it would be no
clue to me. The handkerchief, which was
not much stained 1 put to soak that night
and washed out next morning before Maria
was up. 1 washed my hands and arms
carefully that night, and also my shears
Il expected Rufus Bennett would be ac-
cused of the murder, and maybe hung. 1
was prepared for that, but did not like to
think l had thrown suspicion upon you by
staining your dress. 1 had nothing against
you. l made up my mind I'd get hold of
that dress before anybody suspected you
and dye it black. l came in and got it,
you know. l was astonished not to see any
more stains on it. l only found two or
three little streaks, that scarcely anybody
would have noticed. didn't know what to
think. l suspected, of course, that you had
found the stains and got them off, thinking
they might bring suspicion upon you.
Il did not see how you could possibly sus
pect me, In any case. l was glad when
your young man was cleared. had moth
ing against him. That is all have to say"
l think l must have tainted away then.
l cannot describe the dreadful calmness
with which that woman told ths-that
woman with the good face, whom I had
last heard praying like saint in meeting
1 believe in demoniacal possession after
this
When came to the ne1ShborS were
around me, putting camphor on my head
and saying soothing things to me, and the
old friendly faces had returned. But I
wish I could forget
They have taken Phoebe Dole away--I
only know that. 1 cannot bear to talk
any more about it. When 1 think there
must be trial, and must go!
Henry has been over this evening. 1 sup
pose we shall be happy after all, when
have had little time to get over this. He
says 1 have nothing to worry about. Mr..
Dix has gone home. hope Henry and
may be able to repay his kindness some
day. AS for Maria Woods, she is to spend
the best of her life with us.
A month later.-I have just heard that
Phoebe Dole has died in prison! This is
my last entry. May God help all other
innocent women in hard straits as He has
helped me.
CThe end)
LATE SPOR TING NEW S