The advocate., 1895-07-17
BOOK III.
CHAPTER IX.-CoNT1NUED.

The owner of the shrill voice gave him look
which the experienced in such matters would have
understood premonished tribulation for Jed; look
which seemed to say, "Just you wait, Jed Higgins,
till get you away from here" q look in which even
the obtuse Jed himself discerned the coming of
storm of jealousy and felt extremely uncomfortable
in consequence of the noisy anticipation He has.
tened to explain:
'"Cause she was quality, and acomin' to that
there place. That's why I'd know her anywheres.' -
But this was lost on everybody but the pretty face
whence had issued the shrill voice. for all eyes were
fixed on Gertrude When the witness pointed her
out and said, "Thats her, nOW' Stilwell turned to
look, and was astounded and apopectic. Dobbins
turned to look, and was astounded and nervous
Everybody else turned to look and admired, and
kept on looking and admiring two beautiful young
women, a blonde and brunette, who made each
other more beautiful by contrast.
care you positive of thst?" asked the District
Attorney, coming back to business In which no.
body else seemed to take any interest.
"Yes, sir, am. That's her."
StilWell grew more apOplectc. Dobbins, to re-
lieve the strain upon him, and with the hope of
sVerting by his winning ways coming disaster
put away his forehead, smiled until Loretta, who
had seen him for the first time that morning and
had not become used to his smile, shrank from him
in horror and, going to the young ladies, engaged
In what he regarded as conversation. And all the
time the thoughts uppermost in DObbins intellect
were, that Gertrude had been playing traitor in
order to help Sydney Stone that she had that pocket
book, and that she had come to the court room for
some purpose. Bnt-what does he hearP What
witness it that Breadmongster has just had csedP
"Matthew Ellisp'
Dobbins was stupeGed with fear at the calling Of
that name. His coward fancy made him almost
feel the rope about his neck. lie saw the scsffold
on which he was doomed to expiate his crime. An
indescrbable terror seized him and his knees shook
his teeth chartered his face was ashy pale. But he
was not observed In his efforts to get nearer as
the new witness came forward and was sworn the
crowd concealed him from itself Everybody
seemed to have premOntion that some new reye-
lation was in waiting. Reuben, Loretta and Ger
trude stood up in order to see better and paid no
further attention to the terrorstricken wretch in
their midst
The witness told the story of Dobbins inability to
pay the bills when presented; told that Hotchkiss
took them away upon Dobblns' promise to take
them up in Worcester next day. told that soon after
the departure of Hotchkiss, Dobbins mounted, went
out the same road with his gun, going hunting told
that, next morning, Dobbins had the bills and gave
them to the witness to enter on the books, and
finally told that Dobbins expected to marry Isaac
Stilwells daughter and thus get money with which
TO pay his debts including the salary of the witness
Isaac Stiwell, staring helplessy at the witness,
sank down into his seat as If smitten by crushing
blow, and remained in that shrunken attitude star.
ing at vacancy, and obliVious of all around him,
until Gertrude was called as witness. Then, with
a start, he raised his eyes moment, and relapsed
Gertrude produced the pocket.book, explained
that she had procured it of Job Cottle, and then
told of Dobbins admission that it was his, not for
getting his account of its presentation to him by
s'His Grace, the Duke of Grafton" which brought
derisiVe smile to the faces of ''their hOnors."
The District Attorney was dszed by this sudden