Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-11-23

charge of Fairview If you want to know"
The spectators Uttered, and Squire Taylor
again had recourse to his gavel
Il must remind you, Mrs. HUBBARD he
said, that you are in a court now, and your
remarks must be wholly confined to the
questions put to you.'
Well she remarked humbly enough, Il
was told that was wanted to tell what
knew about the death of Harry Starkweath-
err. I'm here to do it."
Who told you?"
Mrs. Appleton. just got back, and saw
her outside"
Il suggest your honor" said Lawyer
Levy. that the witness be asked to tell her
story without questions"
Il was about to do So" responded the
squire stiffly
Il was coming down stairs" said Betsey,
promptly, when l heard sound as if some
body had fallen. l was at the top of the
first flight and stopped there. frightened
saw Prof Drummond run in through the din
ing room from the piazza. He went into the
back hall, as 1 could tell from his steps
Pretty soon he came back with Mr.. Stark
weather in his arms. l got out of his way
He spoke to me and told me to stay. was
nervous and started down stairs. saw him
take Mr.. Starkweather into the little cham
Der near the head of the stairs. Then ran
cut of the house. for sudden death always
upsets me- and that's all there is to it
Were you certain at the time that Mr.
Starkweather was dead?'' asked the squire.
He looked it," said Betsey.
what did Professor Drummond do after
he had taken Mr.. Starkweather into the
chamber"
Il don't know. 1 heard him calling after
I'd got out Of the house, but 1 didn't look
round"
The squire glanced at Lawyer Levy. who
turned to Charles Starkweather and whis-
/ pered to him. MI Philbrick leaned for
ward and said Something. Mr.. Stark
weather nodded. Then the lawyer stood up.
Mrs Hubbard" he said, "as far as you
know, were the relations of Professor
Drummond and Mr.. Starkweather friend
ly?"
Decidedly" she answered II never saw
the fantest sign of falling out between
them"
did you know the deceased well?"
.Mr. Starkweather? Pretty well, consid-
erirg He was always very pleasant. did
his mending for him. and he told me good
deal about himself"
"Ah! Did he ever tell you anything that
led you to think that he was very un-
happy?"
Betsey turned her fingers together ner-
vously and answered yes"
Tell the court about it, Mrs Hubbard.
sHe said" replied Betsey, after long hes
itation and speaking slowly, that If 1t got
so he couldn't bear it, he should put an end
TO himself: and he said, said he that when
he did. nobody would ever find out how
twas done"
A gasp from the front row attracted gen
eral attention to Amelia. Her head had
fallen forward. Parson Whitaker and the
doctor bore her from the TOOlll, LoulSc ioA-
lowing. They heard Betsey sobbing hyster-
icalIy as they passed through the hall out
side to an adjoining room, and the voice OF
Lawyer Levy making somo kind OF state
ment.
Those who remained In the room heard
him declare that his client was entirely sat
isfied to let the inquiry rest there. They
had no disposition to rake up the unhappy
past of the deceased, and, although circum-
stances had at first pointed to possible
other outcome, they would be content now to
accept the verdict of the jury as the only one
that an intelligent community could arrive
at.
Somewhat confused by the commotion and
what appeared to be a complete change of
front on the part of the deceased's family.
the squire briefly charged the jury to bring
in verdict in accordance with the evidence
adduced. This they did without leaving
their seats, and, stripped of its bunglins
verbiage, 1t meant suicide.
BY the time Amelia recovered the Inquest
was over, and the crowd was going down.
stairs, discussing the unexpected outcome.
None apparently, were more surprised than
the jurymen themselves
I'm afraid we've missed 1t somehow.
whispered Delos Hawkins to his brother,
but what could We do in the face of the
squire's charge, and what the lawyer said?
I should Just have liked chance to examine
the professor, thought
Perhaps Delos imagined that he would not
be abashed second time.
The spectators had not all left the build
ing, and the crowd had not begun to dis
perse when there was another commotion.
Professor Drummond himself drove down
the street in an open buggy, his horse foam
ing from exertion, and pulled up before the
entrance to Squire Taylors court room.
Go be continued next Monday