The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-05-21


him. And startled by these evidences
of suffering which they could not I'M
derstand, and feared to interpret, even
to themselves, more than one devoted
friend stole uneasy glances at Freder-
| lex to see if he, too, We're under the
| cloud which seemed to envelop his
father almost beyond recognition.
But Frederick was looking at ANA
bel, and his erect head and determined
aspect made him a conspicuous figure
in the room. She who had called Up
| this expression and alone comprehend
ed it fully, smiled as she met his eye,
with that curious slow dipping of her
dimples had more than once con-
founded the coroner, and rendered her
at once the admiration and adherence
of the crowd who for so long time
had had the opportunity of watching
| her.
Frederick, to whom this smile con-
veyed a last hope as well as a last
threat, looked away as soon as posi-
bic, but not before her eyes had fallen
in their old. inquiring way to his
hands, from which he had removed the
ring which up to this hour he had in
variably worn on his third finger. In
this glance of hers and this action of
his began the struggle that was to
make that day memorable in many
| hearts.
After the first stir occasioned by the
entrance of two such important per-
sons and possible witnesses, the crowd
settled back into its old quietude under
the coroner's hand. \ tedious witness
was having his slow say and TO him a
full attention was being given in the
hope that some real enlightenment
would come at last to settle the ques-
| tons which had been raised by ANA
bePs incomplete and unsatisfactory
fG,e-taf Dat -elx
what he does not possess, and the few
final minutes before noon passed by
which had already been presented for
general consideration.
As the witness sat down the clock
began to strike As the Slow hesitat-
ing strokes rung out. Sweetwater saw
Frederick yield to sudden but most
profound emotion. The old fear. which
we understand, if Sweetwater did not,
had again seized the victim of Amabel's
ambition, and under her eye, which was
blazing full upon him now with full
and steady purpose, he found his right
hand stealing toward the left in the
significant action she expected. Better
to yield than fall headlong into the
pit one word of hers could open. He
had not meant to yield, but now that
the moment had come, now that he
must at once and forever choose be-
tween course that led simply to per-
sonal unhappiness and one that in
volved not only himself, but those
dearest to him, in disgrace and sorrow,
he felt himself weaken to the point of
clutching at WateVer would save him
from the consequences of confession.
Moral strength and that tenacity of
purpose which only comes from years
of self-control We're too lately awaken
ed in his breast to sustain him now. AS
stroke after stroke fell on the ear. he
felt himself yielding beyond recovery,
and had almost touched his finger in
the significant action of assent which
Amabel awaited with GREATNESS expec-
tation. when, was it miracle or only the
suggestion of his better nature. the
memory of face full of holy pleading
rose from the past before his eyes and
with an inner cry of Mother" he
threw his hand out and clutched his
fathers arm in a way to break the
charm of his own dread and end for
ever the effects of the intolerant
fascination that was working upon him.
Next minute the last stroke rang out
and the hour was up. which Amabel
had set as the limit of her silence.
A pause, which to their two hearts
if to no others, seemed strangely APP
propriate. followed the cessation of
these sounds, then the witness was dis
missed, and Amabel, taking advantage
of the movement, was about to lean to-
ward Mr.. Courtney. when Frederick
leaping with a bound to his feet, drew
all eyes towards himself with a cry:
Let me be put on my oath. l have
testimony to give of the utmost i'm
portance in this case"
The coroner was astonished; every
one was astonished. No one had ex-
pected anything from him. and in
stinctively every eye turned towards
Amabel to see how she was affected by
his action.
Strangely. evidently. for the look with
which she settled back in her seat was
one which no one who saw it ever for
got. though it conveyed no hint of her
real fealings, which were somewhat
chaotic, l must own.
Frederick, who had forgotten her
now that he had made up his mind to
speak, waited for the coroner's reply.
'If you have testimony" said that
gentleman after exchanging a few hur-
ried words with Mr.. Courtney and the
surprised Knapp. you can do no better
than give it to us at once. Mr.. Freder-
lex Sutherland will you take the
stand?'
With noble air from which all hest
tation had vanished. Frederick. started
towards the place indicated, but stopped
before he had taken a half dozen steps
was visibly succumbing to this last
shock.
Co.. he whispered. but in so thrill
ing a tone it was heard to the remotest
corner of the room. Spare me the an
guish of saying what l have to say in
your presence. I could not bear it
You could not bear it. Later, if you
will wait for me in one of the rooms, 1
will repeat my tale in your ears, but go
now. 1t is my last entreaty."
There was silence; no one ventured
a dissent, no one so much as made
gesture of disapproval. Then Mr.. Suth-
erland struggled to his feet. cast one
last look around him and disappeared
through the door which had opened like
magic before him. Then, and not till
then, did Frederick move forward
The moment was intense. The coroner
seemed to share the universal excite
ment for his first question was a lead
ing one and brought out this startling
admission.
II have obtruded myself into this in
quiry, and now ask to be heard by this
jury. because no man knows more than
do of the manner and cause of Agatha
Webb's death. This you Will believe
when I tell you that l was the person
Miss Page followed into Mrs. Webbs
house and whom she heard descend the
stairs during the moment she crouched
behind the figure of the sleeping Phile-
mon.''
1t was more infinitely more. than any
one there had expected. 1t was not
only an acknowledgment but a confess
sion, and the shock, the surprise, the
alarm, even, which il occasioned even
to those who had never had much con-
fidence in this young mans virtue, was
IN, int IIo6