Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1898-12-17


"Nfay I trespass upon your attention
FOR n moment, sirY Lord Elsdale said
suddenly addressing the coroner with his
usual urbane courtesy. "The secret to
which my adopted daughter alludes Is
quite a family matter, of no interest to
any but ourselves. My daughter feared
that, II II were made public. 1t would
cause me much annoyance: therefore she
tried to induce Mr.. Walter Bryant TO keep
silent. Lord Cheveley will, l dare say,
certify to the truth Of my assertion"
"There Is no need. my lord" Mr.. Der.
rinRton answered courteously--"1 willing.
" accept your explanation; still, II Miss
Hatton has sufficiently recovered to an
swer them. there are few other ques-
tons I must trouble her with
II am mt your service, Mr.. Derring-
ton"
'.rhat you were in the ncighborhood
Of the spot where the body was found We
have most positive proof" said one OF the
jurymen sternly. "Did you see any one
there?"
II saw nobody" she said quietly.
There was moments pause; then, see
Inc the incredulous expression on the
faces around her, she started and rose to
her feet.
'sDo you not believe mcy' she cried, In q
tone OF intense anguish. ut Is true
saw nobody; I went out can hardly
tell why; 1 was restless. anxious, unhap
ny: the light and noise seemed to distress
me. Earlier in the day he--Walter Bry'
ant-had told me that he would be there
and something's hardly know what
made me"
Her voice failed for a moment, the slen
der fur.clad figure swayed slightly, and
Lord Cheveley moved hurriedly TOWARD
her; but ere he could reach her she stooG
proud and erect again.
II ran Out--I was faint and fcverish,
she continued. In spiritless tones-''and
hardly knowing what did. went there
It was dark could scarcely see any
thing; and I knclt down-and then my
hands touched-l spoke-l tried to LIT
him: but he wus cold and dead"
She stared straight before her with
wild, terrible gaze; II seemed as u 1t wer'
all present to her again-the chill night
the shrubbery 80 feebly lighted by tn
stars shining In the wintry sky. her owl
misery, the cold upturned face with whicl
her hands came In contact a. she knelt
and the wild, awful fear which had heb
her chained there for some terrible mo
ments.
"Why did you not call for assistanceT
asked juryman. quickly.
HE was dead"
'.But il would surely have been natura
to call some one, to ny what had nap
penedv'
ut would have been Of no use," she re
sponded, mechanically, understanding
h. haA a
thought which had prompted them.
"But Il would have been the RICH
course. and would doubtless have prevena
cd the cscape Of the murderer" said
juryman sharply. 1T seems most incon
nrehensible that you should have re-entel
ed the house, changed your attire, an
danced when you knew what had occur
red. The idea IL preposterous! NO on
would credit II, unless you had som
strong motive for doing So"
''Yes@it-is-true."
with A muse between each the word
came from her colorless lips; a grip hk
that OF Ice cold fingers seemed to be tight
eudns about her heart; the faces In from
Of her, eager, incredulous, compassionate
were fAding In the darkness which WI
dimmipg her eyes. But she stood cree
still facing the eager eyes which looked q
her so significantly, and which saw, IL
stead OF loving woman trying to scree
one she loved, a desperate creature stri'
Ing to conceal her guilt, having spoke
words, forced from her. which had sfu1
ned even those who loved her best.
For q moment she stood pressing bot
hands against her heart; then they fe
away suddenly, her head sank forwar
upon her breast, and James Francis, VIII
WAS among those present. springing To-
ward, caught her ere she fell.