The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-08-16

In fact, did you not at first think 1t
was somebody else?"
well. yes: / think did, SIR"
"Whom did you think II WASP"
The groom hesitated.
Come now" urged Mr. Britely.
well. l Thought for the moment 1t
was my lady"
And you only saw her for mo-
ment?"
"Yes. sir: but I'm sure now II was
Miss Despard."
Never mind about that"
Mr. Britely sat down. He turned to
Mr.. Belloe.
"olver is not lying. We've won the
case"
Lady Roland was cailed next. She
entered the box very pale. but also
very determined. She was a strikingly
handsome woman, with black hair and
deep-set. dark eyes, an aQuiline nose,
and thin. firmly compressed lips. She
answered the questions put to her
shortly and clearly. She had. she said.
known or suspected something Of an
intrigue or love affair between the
prisoner and her governess. A few days
before the girls death she noticed she
was depressed. She endeavored to dis
cover the cause but failed.
On the night of Saturday, Sept. II. the
witness retired to rest earlier than
usual-she had a headache-about $50.
The deceased had not come down stairs
after seeing the children were prop
erly put to bed; she seldom did come
down. 1t was only in the morning wit
ness first learned that the governess
was missing. She thin communicated
with the police. Meanwhile she
searched the girls room to see II there
was anything there to account for her
disappearance. She discovered the
letters produced. and on learning that
the girl had been murdered handed
them to the police. She had seen Cap
tain Oliver write, and had no doubt
whatever that they were In his hand
writing.
Mr.. Britely rose to cross-examine.
You yourself have had no corre-
spondence with the prisoner?"
"Oh, yes. l have"
"Of what kind?'
81 have often written asking him to
stay with us. know him WELL"
II understand. But no love letters
have passed between him and you?"
you are insulting me. sir"
II should be very sorry to do so. Lady
Roland. but l must obey my instruc-
tions If what suggest is untrue. deny
it. No love letters ever passed between
You and the prisoner?"
mo, none. 1t Is an infamy to suggest
It,"
Now, Lady Roland, did you go to
bed when you retired to your room Sat-
urday night-the night in question:"
"Yes, l did"
You swear that?"
"Yes."
You did not go out to the park?"
No. l did not"
"You did not meet Captain Oliver
there by appointments"
II did not"
1.-The groom was mistaken in think
Ing the lady he saw with the prisoner
was you?"
HE was"
You have never made appointments
with the prisoner by means of letters
written by the deceased girl?"
Never"
"Now. put 1t to you. You did make
such appointments. You had love af-
fair with the prisoner. The deceased
girl was merely a go-between. who, to
prevent discovery. wrote your letters to
the prisoner and received his letters for
you: Is there any truth in this?"
'Not an atom"
You never wrote to him yourself?'
''Never a love Letter."
L II. w,
to this?'
''I do"
"Now. listen to this" said Mr.. Brite-
ly, very quietly. taking up the copy of
the letter which had been prepared for
him. Now, listen to this, Lady Ro-
land, and then say II you are willing to
stand by what you have said:
Roland Park, Aug. IS.
MY Darling Charlie: I am breaking
my heart to see you again. Miss Des-
part Is away on a holiday. and won't be
back for week. l can't wait all that
time to write to you. Why do you come
have my revenge. DO come, dearest. and
tell me what you are doing. 1 am dying
for love of you. Your broken-hearted
Helen.
Don't mind the threats. dearest; I'm
half mad through your neglect"
When Mr.. Britely came to the end Of
the note he looked up at Lady Roland.
She was ghastly.
"Well?" he said.
"My God. he swore to me he had
burnt it"'
For a moment or two there was dead
silence over the court. Then the Judge
spoke.
LET me see the original, Mr.. Briefly"
ne said.
"Its not an original my lord" replied
Mr.. Britely, quietly, "only a copy from
memory. The original, as the witness
says the prisoner told her. Is de-
stroyed"
The next second Lady Roland sank
down fainting in the box.
She was not further examined or
cross-examined. Indeed, her condition
was so dangerous that such proceed
Ing was out Of the question. The trial
proceeded in lame way: but the heart
was taken out Of the prosecution by
the collapse OF their most important
witness. and. under the direction OF the
judge, the prisoner was acquitted
Subsequent discoveries left no
doubt that the verdict was just, and
that the case was one Of suicide. What
became Of the revolver Is now the only
mystery In the affair.
AN K1r'rD fwr1Uu, rnVnyNs