Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1897-12-01
CHAPTER XII.
JOHN LEWIS SUPPLIES THE cLEw.

JOHN LEWIS SUPPLIES THE CLEw.
Although the verdict had been antici-
pated by the majority Of those who had
been present throughout the examina-
tion, all were nevertheless horrifed,
even though they admitted its justice
in consideration of the evidence. There
were some, of course, who stoutly main
tanned that Virginia was innocent, but
they were chiefly her most intimate
friends These proclaimed themselves
to be in position to judge better than
those who did not know her so we'll
Unhesitatingly they asserted that her
whole life and character made it utter
" preposterous to harbor suspicion Of
q crime of so heinous nature. Said
one, "Does an innocent girl become a
hardened criminal in a moment?" But
others gravely shook their older heads
and readily recalled instances where
equally respectable individuals had
been proved guilty Of murder. After
sll, horrible as it is to take life, yet
viewed from certain standpoint, MUIR
der is less dishonorable than theft. One
who would scorn even to tell q lie
might yet in anger or under great prov
ocation unhesitatingly send another to
his last account So respectability is
scarcely defense against a 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-
sented 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-
tion 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
q woman, and she the most respected
and admired female in the town, was
simply terrible.
As soon as Mr.. Barnes learned Of tn,
disposition to be made of the prisoner,
for such she was to be considered now,
he determined to seek rest at the ear
liest 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 thu examination. Finally, con-
cluding that Burrows must have gone
to the farm, as it was already after
dark. he decided to 60 there also, and
80 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?"
"Iam, and, supposing that you would
put up there for the night, have wait
ed to join you as you passed. I could
not see you at the moment when the
inquest ended, for you were speaking to
the squire. y
"Yes. 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