The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1897-11-17
CHAPTER XI.

>SS~3 s.
vel. -
CHAPTER XI.
THE VERDICT.
There are some individuals whose
nerves are so well trained that they can
be made to sustain almost any strain
without giving evidence Of the tension
to which they have been exposed. Vir-
ginia Lewis was Of this kind There is,
however, in all probability, no force in
nature that has not breaking point,
beyond which it is impossible for integ-
rity to endure, and SO it was in the case
Of this most remarkably strong willed
girl She had passed through fiery Or
deal bravely, and might say success
fully, until at last the unexpected had
come to destroy all her powers Of con-
troll
Nevertheless she was not one to give
way, like her friend Alice Marvel, and
though she certainly started very per-
eeptibly when be-. lovers name was
called she looked like frightened ami.
NAL who, though awaiting a death
blow, was yet prepared to die hard. AS
she stood expectant and defiant she
won the admiration of all the men IN
the room, a thing of no small conse-
qnence when it is remembered That IL
of these composed she jury. There was
o painful silence until the entrance Of
the next witness At last he came, and
when Virginia saw him ard knew that
/ this was no trick that was being played
| to frighten her into revealing that
which she had determined to conceal
she could not repress a slight cry as she
stepped from the stand and dropped into
the nearest seat. Then she ASSUMED a
xtolid expression, which de6ed the scru-
tiny of Mr.. Barnes or any Of the others
Marvel cast one hasty glance IN her
direction, and with his lips a little
firmly compressed be took. his place on
the witness stand. Mr.. Tupper ct once
began:
s.Mr. Marvel, dc you remember the
day Of the fete given by Hiss Lewis at
Riverside"
"Moss distinctly"
.sI believe you attempted to kill Mr.
Lewis on that occasion?"
:<I d, " out my pistol under great
/. n and in anger. Miss Lewis
strl-- ny arm, and my weapon was dis
charged
"Do you mean that when you took
out your pistol itwas not your intention
to fire it?''
.I cannot tell what nay intention
was. as I said, I acted under excite
ment. It is impossible to say what may
or what may not have happened. "
"But did you not threaten MIR. Lewis
as you left the lawn
Perhaps It would have been but
natural %
"Where did you go when you left the
farm that night?'
"Eome, of course. :"
"But why is it, then, that you were
not there when search was made fer
you the next day?''
81 was disheartened and disgusted at
/ the turn of events, and in sheer des-
peration arose early and went off gun
ming.
sDid you return:'
"After days shooting went on to
EppiDg, where I have a house. %
s'Thst place was searched a few days
later, and no trace Of you was to be
/ found. -
81 only staid there one day and then
went to Worcester. -
"Why did you do that?"
Because I knew Of the plot which
Mr.. Lewis was forming against me. .
Chow could you krow that, since
yoU left Lee before any steps had been
inaugurated:"
GA friend warned me by letter.
"Who was this obliging friend, and
how did lie know where a letter would
reach you?''
Before T left / told him where l
meant to go 1t is immaterial who he
is. -
81 presume this was Mr. Everly, was
it not?''
Marvel remained silent, and Mr.
Upper did not press the point, but con-
tinued:
.sWhere were you cn the night upon
which Mr.. Lewis was murdered"
HI was at. the farm. - -,