The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-06-06
WHEN THE MOON CAME OUT.

been used for judicial proceedings ana
the inquest had been in progress less
than on hour. 1t had been equally
crowded many times, and by the same
people, but most of them were evil
IDENTIFY strangers TO the statutory flavor
and knew not why the familiar place
had suddenly developed so many queer
disoomforts.
Entering in the wake of Detective
Horace Preble, secured en- advan-
tageous position just in front of the
two wooden benches which held the
Jury. Chairs were mysteriously pro-
vided for US, probably by an act Of OPP
preston on the part of the police.
my star witness is here" whispered
Preble.
"Who is hep" inquired.
"Big fellow, with pompadour hair. on
the end of the second bench back OF u.s."
said Preble. His names Henry Dun
ming. Lives on Brent road not far from
the Morrisons. He's wealthy and re-
spected citizen, I'm told"
"He looks like an idealized portrait
of Jim Corbett, the prize fighter" said
/. "what do you expect to get out of
him?"
LET me ask you question first." re-
turned the detective. "Did you come
way up here--into the wilds of what
used to be Westchester before New
York gobbled ito hear me talk or
10 taste the joys of an inquest?"
al grieve to be obliged to state that
II was the inquest which"
"Quite SO; but you'll get a great deal
more fun out Of IL IL you don't attempt
to anticipate the proceedings. Let a
knowledge of this remarkable case
filter into you gradually. Now keep
quiet. Emily Morrison is going to re-
sume her testimony. Pretty, isn't
she?"
Amazingly. She's Douglass Morri-
sons daughter, 1 believer" t
Preble nodded.
There had been pause in the pro-
ceedings, for the coroner had had his
attention fixed upon Preble ever since
that young gentleman had appeared.
He seemed to expect n communication
from the detective, but it speedily be-
came evident that Preble preferred to
play n thinking part" in the drama
at the outset.
The coroner turned TO the witness,
who sat pale aud trembling. her hands
clutching the arms of the rough wooden
chair in which she sat.
''Now, Miss Morrison" he said, kind
ly, "will you please tell us what you
know of this terrible AFFAIR.""
The girl had evidently considered
carefully what she should say, for she
began without hesitation. She spoke In
low tone, but her voice was so beauti
fully clear that every word was dis
tinctly audible throughout the crowd.
ed room. N
'On Tuesday night" she said, 'I re.
turned about eleven o'clock, aud very
soon went to sleep. was awakened by
a flash of moonlight in my eyes. You
will remember that the evening was
very dark, but about midnight the
heavy clouds were blown away by th.
wind, and the full moon came out. II
shone between the blinds n. the win.
dow of my room, and the light struck
straight into my face. 49,
"It is startling to he aroused in that
way, and I sat up in bed terrified.
lid not know 10 was the moon. Ny
first thought was that some one was
flashing lanterns light upon me. and
even before I was fully awake re.
mcmbered the many robberies about
which there had been so mulch talk, and
thought there was burglar in the
room. was just going to scream for
help when i perceived what the light
was. M tl',H
"Then ] heard the closing Of door
somewhere below in the house, and that
frightened me again; for had the i'm.
preston of having slept long time,
and 1t seemed strange that anyone
should be stirring about at sush an
hour. sprang out Of bed, and ran to
the door of my room. My brothers
room is opposite mine. called To him,
To my surprise, he answered me from
the stairs. He was coming up. He
had his overcoat on, and his hat was IN
his hand. Then 1 knew that he had Just
come in, and that IL was the closing OF
the front door that ] had heard, ]
asked him II IL was not very late, and he
told me the time" n
"Whnt was it?" asked the coroner.
"He did not look at his watch" re.
piled the witness. "He only said A.
was about midnight. Then asked him
II father was downstairs, for ! saw that
fathers bedroom door was open, and
he always closed and locked it when he
retired for the night. My brother snid
he guessed that father was OUT for
he had seen no light in the lower part al
the house, except the gas that burns In
the hall at night. Then my brother
told me TO go to bed, and he himself
went into his room. ftfl
"I,ut / was anxious. You see, i had
been frightened, and had not recovered,
did not like IL that my father should
be out SO late in this dangerous neigh.
borhood when so many people were be.
ing assaulted and robbed on the street
So / went back To my rosn, put on q
lonr heavy cloak and then went dowu