The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-08-09

thus suggested to me the absurd posi-
bility that Phoebe Dole had committed
the murder. he and 1 were sitting in the
kitchen. He was near the table; he laid
a sheet of paper upon it and began to
write. The paper is before me.
First" said Mr.. Dix, and he wrote
as he talked, whose arm is of such
length that 1t might unlock and lock a
certain door of this house from the out
side? Phoebe Dole's."
Second, who had in her piece-bag bits
of the same threads and rawlings found
upon your parlor floor. where she had
not by your knowledge entered? Phoebe
Dole.
Third, who interested herself most
strangely in your blood-stained green
Dole.
Fourth. who was caught in a lie,
while trying to force the guilt of the
murder upon an innocent man? Phoebe
Dole"
Mr.. Dix looked at me. I had gathered
myself together. THAT proves nothing"
1 said. There is no motive in her case.
There is a motive"
"What is it?'
Maria Woods shall tell you this after
noon"
He then wrote:
Fifth, who was seen to throw a bum
die down the old we'll, in the rear of Mar
tin Fairbanks house.. at / o'clock in the
morning? Phoebe Dole.
Was she-seen?" l gasped. Mr.. Dix
aI1 T@4v he -r..
Sixth, who had a strong motive, which
had been an 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 a woman"
"A man could lave fired that pistol. as
she tried to do"
1T would have taken a mans strength
to kill with the kind of weapon that was
used" 1 said.
mo. it would not. No great strength
is required for such a blow"
But she is a woman"
Crime has no SEX"
But she is a good woman, a church
member. l heard her pray yesterday
afternoon. 1t is not in character"
1t is not for you, nor for me, nor for
any mortal intelligence to know is,
or is not, in character, said Mr.. Dix.
He arose and went away. / could only
stare at him in a h~alf-dazed manner
Maria Woods came this afternoon, TAX
ing advantage of Phoebe's absence or 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 1 have the ring-he gave me
forty years ago?" she faltered.
l gave it to her: she kissed it, and
sobbed like a child. Phoebe took it
away from me before she said, but
Maria related with piteouS little sobs
the story of her long subordination to
Phoebe Dole. This sweet, childlike
m had always been completely I'M
der the sway of the others stronger ma
ture. The subordination went back be-
yOnd my fathers original proposal to her;
she had, before he made love to her as a
girl, promised Phoebe she would not
marry. and it 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 declining his Of
fer, 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. l should lave been so happy"
She stopped and stared at me with hor-
ror-stricken inquiry. 4e -
What was Phoebe doing out in your
back yard at l o'clock that nisht?" she
cried. 1"
What do you mean" I returned.
Il saw Phoebe come out Of your back
shed door at l o'clock that very night.
She had a 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. ]
was watching at our back door.
thought / heard her go out a little while
before. and went down stairs, and found
hat door unlocked. / e in quick, and
I'D to my chamber, and into my bed,
when she started home across the field.
Pretty soon / heard her come in; then
1 heard the pump going. She slept down
stairs; she went on to her bedroom.
What was she doing in your back yard
that night?"
You must ask her." said 1. felt my
blood running cold.
1--WE been afraid to-" moaned Maria
Woods. shes been dreadful strange
lately. / wish that book agent was GO
ing to stay at our house"
Maria Woods went home in about ar
hour. I got a ribbon for her, and she
has my poor fathers ring concealed in
her withered bosom. Again, l canno,
believe this.
Thursday.-It is all over; Phoebe Dole
has confessed! 1 do not know now in
exactly what way Mr.. Dix brought il
about-how he accused her of her crime
After breakfast l saw them coming
across the field. Phoebe came first. ad
yancing with rapid strides like a man
Mr.. Dix followed. and my fathers poo
old sweetheart tottered behind with he
handkerchief at her eyes. Just as
noticed them the front door bell rang:
found several people there. headed by tn,
high sheriff. They crowded into the sit
ting-room, just as Phoebe Dole cam
rushing in, with Mr.. Dix and Mari;
Woods.
II did it, Phoebe cried out to me. g
am found out, and / have made up m.
mind to confess. She was going to MARI,
your father-I found it out. / stopped /
once before. This time / knew L couldn'
unless / killed him. She's lived witt
me in that house for over forty years
There are other ties as strong as tn
marriage one, that are just as sacred
What right had he to take her ava,
from me and break up my home?
Il overheard your father and Ruff
Bennett having words. l thought folk
would think he did it. l reasoned it a
out. / had watched your cat go in tina
little door. / knew the shed door un
hooked, i knew how long my arm was
l thought 1 could undo it. i stole owe
here a little after midnight. ! went a
round the house to be sure nobody wa
awake. Out in the front yard / HAP
pened TO him my shears were tied o
my belt with a ribbon, and / unite