The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-08-09
CHAPTER v1-rHE REVELATION.

ting In the Kitchen. He was near tne
table: he laid sheet of paper upon t,
and began 20 write. The paper is be-
fore me.
First" said Mr. Dix, and ne wr' G
as he talked. whose arm Is Of such
length that it might unlock and lock
a certain door cf this house from the
outside? Phoebe pcles.
Second, who had In her piece-bag
hits Of the same .tr ads and raw alings
found upon your iIiol floor. where sh'
had not by your knowledge entered
Phoebe Dole.
Third. who interested herself most
strangely in your blood-stained green
silk dress. even to dyeing it? Phoebe
Dole.
Fourth who was caught in a lie,
while trying to force the guilt of MUIR
der upon an innocent man? Phoebe
Dole"
Mr.. Dix looked at me-. l had gath
cred myself together THAT proves
nothing" said l. There is no motive
In her case
There Is a motive"
what is it?'
Maria Woods shall tell you this
afternoon"
He then wrote
Fifth, who was seen to throw bun
die down the old well, in the rear of
Martin Fairbanks house. at / o'clock
In the morning? Phoebe Dole"
Was she-seen?" l gasped. Mr.. Dix
nodded. Then he wrote:
tyth ,,.h.
which had been in existence many
years ago? Phoebe Dole.
Mr.. Dix laid down his pen and looked
at me again. well, what have you to
say?" he asked
1T Is impossible.'
"why?"
she Is woman"
"A man could have f. ed that pistol,
as she tried to do"
strength to kill with the kind of n
weapon that was used" | said.
mo, it would not. No great strength
Is required for such blow"
But she Is a woman"'
Crime has no SEX"
But she is good woman, a church
member. heard her pray yesterday
afternoon. 1t is not in character"
ut Is not for you. nor for me- nor for
any mortal intelligence to know what
Is. or Is not in character" said Mr..
Div.
He arose and went away. I could
only stare at him in a half dazed man.
ner.
Maria Woods came this afternoon.
taking advantage of Phoebe's absence
on a dressmaking errand. Maria has
aged ten years in the last few weeks
Her hair Is white, her cheeks are fallen
In. her pretty color is gone
May I have the ring-he gave me-
forty years ago?" she faltered.
l gave 1t to her; she kissed 1t, and
sobbed like a child. phoebe took 1t
away from me before" she said, but
she shan't this time"
Maria related with piteous little sobs
the story Of her long subordination to
Phoebe Dole. This sweet, child-like
woman had always been completely un-
der the sway of others stronger ma
ture. The subordination went back be-
yond my fathers original proposal to
her, she had, before he made love to
as a girl. promised Phoebe she would
not marry, and 1t was Phoebe who had,
by representing to her that she was
bound by this solemn promise, led her
to write the letter to my father decln-
ing his offer, and sending back the ring.
And after all, we were going to get
married, If he had not-died," she said.
He was going to give me this ring
again. and he had had the other date
put in. I should have been so happy"
She stopped and stared at me with
horror-stricken inquiry.
What was Phoebe doing out In your
back yard at o'clock that night? she
cried
What do you mean?" I returned.
II saw Phoebe come out of your back
shed door at / o'clock that very night.
She had bundle in her arms. She
went along the path about as far as the
old well; then she stopped down and
seemed to be working at something.
When she got up she didn't have the
bundle. I was watching at our back
door. I thought I heard her go out a
little while before and went down
I went in quick. and UP to my chamber
and into my bed. when she started
home across the field. Pretty soon I
heard her come in; then / heard the
pump going. She slept down stairs;
ehe went on to her bedroom. what
was she doing in your back yard that
night?'
''You must ask her." said I. felt my
blood running cold.
I've been afraid to-" moaned Maria
Woods. "She's been dreadful strange
lately. I wish that book agent was 60
ing to stay at our house."
Maria Woods went home in about an
hour. I got ribbon for her. and she
has my poor fathers ring concealed In
her withered bosom. Again. cannot
believe this.
Thursday.-It is all over; Phoebe Dole
has confessed! I do not know now In
exactly what way Mr.. Dix brought 1t
about-how he accused her Of her crime.
After breakfast I saw them coming
across the field. phoebe came first ad-
vancing with rapid strides like man;
Mr.. Dix followed. and my fathers poor
old sweetheart tottered behind. with
her handkerchief at her eyes. Just as
/ noticed them the front door bell rang:
found several people there. headed by
the high sheriff. They crowded into
the sltting-room. just as Phoebe Dole
came rushing In. with Mr. Dix and
Maria Woods.
II did itr Phoebe cried out to me. II
am found out, and I have made up my
mind to confess. She was going to mar
fy your father-I found It out. stopped
It once before. This time I knew /
couldn't, unless I,killed him. She's
lived with me in that house for over
forty years. There are other ties as
strong o. the marriage one, that are
Just 40 sacred. What right had he to