San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1897-08-08

l
his last account So responsibility is
scarcely defense against charge of
murder.
The town of Lee is in Strafford coun-
ty, and the county seat is Dover. Here
the grand jury meets, and here the trial
would take place if there should be one.
Squire Olney, at the termination of the
inquest, therefore declared that Virginia
must be taken to Dover ON the follow
ing day, together with the record of the
evidence which would of course be pre-
scented to the grand jury. 1t was de-
cided that she should pass the night at
the residence of the squire, who would
personally drive over with her early in
the morning. The squire in all his life
time had never been placed in posi-
ton SO painful to himself and SO trying
to all his pride in the morality of his
town. 1t was bad enough to have muir
der. but that the guilty party should be
a woman, and she the most respected
and admired female in the town, was
simply terrible.
AS soon as Mr.. Barnes learned or the
disposition to be made Of the prisoner.
for such she was to be considered now,
he determined to seek rest at the ear
Hest possible moment. Wishing to go
ON to Riverside and share the room
which had been provided for Burrows,
he sought for that young man, but could
find him nowhere. He was somewhat
annoyed at this, as he wished to talk
with him on some Of the points brought
out in the examination. Finally, con-
GLIDING that Burrows must have gone
to the farm, as it was already after
dark. he decided to go there also, and
so started Immediately. He had walked
but few rods when he overlook John
Lewis and. recognizing him, said:
."Ah, Mr.. Lewis, are you going to the
farm?"
liam, and, supposing that you would
put up there for the night, have wait
ed to Join you as you passed. / could
not see you at the moment when the
inquest ended, for you were speaking to
the squire"
eyes. / wished to know what would
be done with Miss Lewis. She will stay
at the squire's house tonight and be
taken to Dover in the morning"
The two men walked along for some
little distance without speaking, until
at length Lewis broke the silence, and
when he did so Mr.. Barnes noticed that
he spoke very earnestly, as though the
subject concerned him nearly. At first
it seemed to the detective that this in
terest was more than was natural, but
then he recalled to mind the fact that
the girl was a relative, and as such
would of course attract his sympathy.
Mr.. Barnes" began Lewis, "what
do you think Of the result of the in
quiry?"
As have already stated, Mr.. Barnes
was most careful in forming definite
opinions, and he was still more so in
giving expression to them. He felt
double need Of caution at this time and
determined rather to discover what his
companion thought than to commit
himself by any direct reply to this lead
ing question.
"Well," he responded. "what other
verdict could you look for under the
circumstances?"
"I suppose nonel Nevertheless
stigma has been placed on that girl
which she does not deserve. At least"
he continued quickly, "that is my opin-
ion."
"You mean that you think Miss Lew
is is innocent?'
81 do decidedly"
"Will you tell me your reasons?"
This was exactly what Mr.. Barnes
most desired; that some one should de-
fend this girl to him. Therefore il in
the subsequent conversation he seemed
to be accusing her twas no evidence
that he himself thought her guilty, but
only that such q course was the one
best calculated to draw out the stron-
gest arguments In her favor which might
occur to Lewis. Mr.. Barnes was wise
enough not to underestimate the abil-
ity Of any man. Very often in his ex-
perience most valuable hints had been
given to him by persons from whom he
had least expected assistance.
81 will try" said Lewis In reply to
Mr.. Barnes. "Of course was present
at the entire inquiry. I was not needed
ON the witness stand, as all that could
have testified to would have been the
discovery of the body, and that was not
deemed Of sufficient importance by the
squire. As the deceased was my own
father, it is but natural that should
take great interest in seeing the crime
avenged. therefore listened most at
tentively to all that was brought out in
the examination Of the several witness
es And it is just this that makes me
feel SO sure that Miss Lewis is actuated
more by desire to shield some one else
than by any other motive.
'Ah, but who is she shielding?
You must remember that she is doing a
very dangerous thing when she accuses
herself. /"
miss Lewis is a much cleverer wo-
man than you may believe her to be,
and she knows well enough that she is
in no real danger. She has confessed.
What of that? When she is made to ap-
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