Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1897-11-11

IL IS truoI AC lea6C IL lS Grue IL Wo
can believe Miss Lewis, for it was she
who found it,"
miss Lewis found itr This is terri
ble!'
The silence which ensued was most
profound. Every one could plainly see
the Importance Of this latest develop
ment and how, by accidental circum-
stances, the net was being drawn
around the witness. Mr.. Barnes him
self was considering how strange it was
that this young girl, who had not hest
tated to destroy evidence which might
implicate some one, presumably her
lover, should, by the merest chance,
have been the very one to produce the
most eliminating proof against him.
The thoughts of all were suddenly dis
turbed by the voice of Virginia herself,
who stood up defantly and with the
mark Of strong resolve stamped upon
her features. She spoke in measured
words, and her voice seemed dead to all
sense Of feeling. Indeed it sounded
only like an echo of her natural tones.
"StopP' said she. "This has gone far
enough!''
"What do you mean?'' asked the
squire quickly, foreseeing that some
startling development was at hand.
II mean that you are wrongfully
weaving web around an innocent
mani"
"Ah, then you know who is guilty?"
II dol killed my uncle myselfr'
This statement naturally caused the
widest excitement. Only two men
present seemed not to be surprised.
These were Marvel himself and Mr..
Barnes. The former dropped into seat
and buried his face in his hands, giving
vent to a passionate outburst of grief.
The latter remained almost as unmoved
as Virginia herself, who stood like
marble image. A slight smile Of salts
faction, however, seemed to play about
his features Burrows, who kept his eye
intently on the face Of his superior,
while immensely astonished himself,
was convinced Of the fact that Mr..
Barnes had only heard what he had all
along expected AS soon as the commo-
ton caused by Miss Lewis statement
had subsidized somewhat Mr.. Upper re-
sumed:
miss Lewis" said he, "you have
Just made most astounding confession.
But you may not know that you are not
the first who has done so today. This
being the case, however, we cannot but
accept your words cautiously"
do you mean that you doubt my
veracity?'
"How can be sure that you are tell
ing the truth when you accuse yourself
Of murder?" Virginia bit her lip and
was silent.
Come" continued the lawyer, take
the stand again and repeat under oath
what you have just declared.
"What use to be sworn?" replied the
girl scornfully. "You would not believe
me any more"
do you refuse to swear?'
Oh, no, since you make point Of
it." She stepped upon the platform
again.
''She will stop at nothing to save her
lover" muttered Mr.. Barnes under his
breath.
Mr.. Upper asked:
"Do you still persist in your state
ment that you killed your uncle?'
II do"
"How did it occur?'
"When returned from my meeting
with Mr.. Marvel, attracted the notice
Of nv uncle. who coming from his
room, Knocked on my door ana called
me into the parlor. went in, and he
asked me where had been. told him,
he became violent, and we quarreled.
My pistol was on the mantel where
had left it, and in moment Of rage I
grasped it and fired"
"How was your uncle attired?"
''As he was found, of course"
'Did he die Instantly"
II do not know. l left the room at
once"
How many times did you fire."
"Once."
"In making this statement you de.
sire to be believed"
II do"
''Then show me the piece Of paper on
which your uncle wrote the name Of
his murderer and which I am sure you
have about you"
If Mr.. Upper expected her to refuse,
he was doomed to disappointment.
Without a moments hesitation she
drew it out and handed it to him. Ho
read it and seemed puzzled. Then, turn
ing to Virginia, he said:
"This paper reads, If am dead in
the morning, my murderer is Walter
MarvelP How does that agree with
your confession?'
"You forget that there are two
wounds. My uncle wrote that after re-
ceiving the firstr'
Mr.. Upper had not expected this re-
ply, and the possibility Of its being
true disconnected him.
How do you know this?" he asked.
During the quarrel which I had
with my uncle he told me Of the wound
he had received from the lawn and
charged my lover with the crime. 1t
was at this moment that, overcome
with anger, shot him."
when did you find the paper?"
"In the morning. I think I have
said enough and will retire!'' She step
ped from the stand and resumed her
seat on one of the benches.
There is no more evidence to be
brought before you, gentlemen, said
the district attorney, addressing the
jury, land no more witnesses. There
fore the next step is for you to consider
what your verdict shall be. However,
should like to detain you moment
that may point out one or two things
which l think should not be overlooked
in rendering your decision. First, there
js the matter of the locket. If Miss
IaWia tells the truth how did that