Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1901-01-09


Ting admission:
81 have obtruded myself into this in
quiry and now ask to be heard by thi
jury because no man knows more thar
do of the manner and cause of Aga
tina Webb's death. This you will be
lieve when | tell you that was tn,
person Miss Page followed into Mrs
Webb's house and whom she heard de
scend the stairs during the moment sht
crouched behind the figure Of the sleep
ing Philemon"
1t was more, infinitely more, thar
any one there had expected. 1t was
not only an acknowledgment. but g
confession. and the shock. the surprise
the alarm even. which it occasioned
even to those who had never had much
confidence in this young mans virtue
was almost appalling in Its intensity
Had 1t not been for the consciousness
Of Mr.. Sutherland's near presence the
feeling would have risen to outbreak,
and many voices were held in subjec,
ton by the remembrance of this ven.
Grated mans last look, that otherwise
would have made themselves heard In
despite Of the restrictions Of the place
and the authority Of the police.
To Frederick it was moment Of i'm
measurable grief and humiliation. On
every face, in every shrinking form, in
subdued murmurs and open cries he
read instant and complete condemna-
tion, and yet in all his life from boy
hood up to this hour, never had he
been so worthy of their esteem and
consideration. But, though he felt. the
iron enter his soul, be did not lose his
determined attitude. He had observed
a change in Amabel and a change in
Agnes, and If only to disappoint the
vile triumph Of the one and raise again
the dropping courage Of the other he
withstood the clamor and began speak
ing again before the coroner had been
able to fully restore quiet.
81 know" said he. what this ac-
acknowledgement must convey to the
minds Of the jury and people here as
sembled. but If any one who listens to
me thinks me guilty Of the death was
so unfortunate as to have witnessed, he
will be doing me a wrong which Aga
tina Webb would be the first to con-
demn. DR.. Talbot and you, gentlemen
of the jury, in the face Of God and
hnt Iro "ohh In
my presence and before my eyes gave
to herself the blow which has robbed
us all of most valuable life. She was
not murdered"
1t was q solemn assertion, but 1t fail.
ed to convince the crowd before him.
As by one impulse men and women
broke into tumult. Mr.. Sutherland was
forgotten. and cries Of "Never! She
was too good! It's all calumny! A
wretched liew broke in unrestrained
excitement from every part Of the large
room. In vain the coroner smote with
his gavel; In vain the local police en-.
deavored to restore order; the tide was
up and overswept everything for an in
slant till silence was suddenly restored
by the sight Of Amabel smoothing out
the folds Of her crisp white frock with
an incredulous, almost insulting. smile
that at once fixed attention again on
Frederick. He seized the occasion and
spoke up in a tone of great resolve.
81 have made an assertion" said he,
"before God and before this jury. To
make it seem a credible one ! shall
have to tell my story from the begin
ming. Am allowed to do so. Mr.. Coro-
ner?"
"You are" was the firm response.
"Then, gentlemen" continued Fred
erick, still without looking at Amabel,
whose smile had acquired a mockery
that drew the eyes of the jury toward
her more than once during the follow
ing recital. you know, and the public
generally now know, that Mrs. webb
has left ME the greater portion of the
money Of which she died possessed. |
have never before acknowledged to any
one, not even to the good man who
awaits this jury's verdict on the other
side Of that door, that she had reasons
for this, good reasons, reasons which
up to the very evening Of her death |
was myself ignorant of, as | was ig-
norant Of her intentions in my regard
or that | was the special object Of he-
attention, or that we were under any
mutual obligations in any way. Why.
then, should have thought of going
to her in the great strait in which J
found myself on that day can hardly
say. | knew she had money in her
house. This had unhapplly been made
acquainted with in an accidental way,
and | knew she was of kindly diSposi-
tion and quite capable of doing a very
unseltish act. Still this would not seem
to be reason enough for me to intrude
upon her late at night with plea for a
large loan Of money had l not been In
u desperate condition Of mind, which
made any attempt seem reasonable that
promised relief from the uncomfortable
burden Of pressing and disreputable
debt.
81 was obliged to have money-a
great deal Of money-and had to have
1t at once, and, while | know this will
not serve to tighten the suspicion
have brought upon myself by my late
admissions, it is the only explanation
l can give you for leaving the ball at
my fathers house and hurrying down
secretly and alone into town to the lit
tie cottage where. as had been told
early in the evening. a small entertain
ment was being given which would in
sure its being open even at so late an
hour rs midnight. Miss Page, who
will. | am sure, pardon the introduc-
tion Of her name into this narrative.
has taken pains to declare to you that
In tho eyDc1ition shp hnrsnIf mo 10 ,,+o