Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-06-06

fortune which his son inherited a few years
ago.
"A bachelor" said l. glaEc:ng at the self
accused murderer, whose agonized gaze
was fixed upon Emily Morrison. is there
q love affair in this case?
There is" replied Preble "Dunning IA
one OF many who have fallen under the
spell OF Miss Morrison's beauty. I've been
reviewing the gossip of the neighbor BOD
curing the past year, and 1 have learned
mat thero were many who thought Miss
Morrison favored Dunning in spite of the
fact that he is so much her senior"
He's a man who would be attractive to
the majority of women" said l. "Ha is
tall, and strong, and under more favorable
conditions would show grace and dignity,
L have no doubt"
They would have made fine couple, I"
said PreDle. speaking as If we had been in
ball room rather than in the center Of a
scene OF deadly excitement. She Is a
strong woman. both in body and mind,
though her face has more rrettiness than
beauty. A fine couple l declare; but her
father couldn't see it, If gossip is to be
trusted-and l haven't much else to go by
DOUGLASS Morrison commanded his daugh-
ter TIC TO freeze this fellows hopes"
Then there was personal i'll will between
tnem? exclaimed. Did that give you
the clew?"
Not at ALL" replied Preble II gave a
correct account of my work when was on
the stand. Oh, I tell the truth under on III
AS to the i'll will, I'm not aware that Dun
ming knew he was opposed by Mr.. Morri-
SON. You see. the affair had hardly gone
Tar enough for that; Cunning was a pa
tient wooer. No; If there were any uuarrels
90 result of this affair they were in the
Morrison household"
Between father and daughter"
Perhaps the mother took a part"
Preble, l can't follow YOU
MY dear fellow I don't intend that YOU
shah. You came here to be amused Isn't
the entertainment a success?"
ut Is. indeed"
Then don't complain if 1 seem to be a
Dlt theatrical. 1 might have told you in the
beginning how this case was coming cut
instead have let you deceive yourself.
without absolutely teaiing falsehoods"
But tell me this: Does the Brent road
robber figure in the case?''
He does. 1t was he. who lay in wait in
ne who drew that moose around Douglass
Morrison.s throat as he was dying"
Then VIII Morrison is the highwayman.
ana Cumming Is shielding him for the girls
wait. Hear what Dunning will say. The
coroner is ready for him now"
The disturbance in the room had sub
SIDED. 1t was replaced by a breathless curl
e t;nn as as the coroner bent forward to ques-
"Mr. Dunning." he said. 'ycu have made
an extraordinary statement. It demands
explanation. Yet am legally bound to
ei'S Soo Inc peHeHt the statute WNlCn
says that no person shall be forced to tes-
tify against himself with that in view,
do you desire to proceedT'
Il must" groaned Dunning. II would
nave wished to conceal my knowledge Of
this terrible affair, but that Is no longer
possible. The facts are these:
Il was returning to my home shortly be-
I had in mind the robberies that have
taken place hereabouts, but felt no fear.
was armed, and. besides. IT seemed to me
that the criminal might hesitate to attack
| a man Of my stature
Just as I passed Dr. Bishops stable a
| man who was lurking in the dense shadow
sprang upon me. He aimed a terrible blow
at my head with heavy cane.
IT lodged the blow, which only erazed
| my shoulder. Forgetting my own weapon
entirely. 1 struck out with my right hand"
Hes q great boxer" whispered PrebIe
the witness. "the blow struck fairly on the
Jaw OF my assailant. He had slipped when