The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1901-12-04
CHAPTER XIV.
Continued.

on account of her undoubted claims to
beauty; and the strong feeling against
her was undoubtedly the result Of SIM
pie jealousy rather than solid opinion
founded upon her own conduct. -Ihe
male portion of the populace, on the
other hand, while less virulent than
the women, were not inclined to warm
partisanship on behalf of the girl, who
had always displayed a marked indif-
ference to their attentions. There was
many a young man in the crowded
court that day who found secret
salve for his wounded vanity in the
thought that the girl who would not
youchsafe him so much as look had
come to grief between two admirers
one of whom was no: lover to be
proud of, while the other had brought
himself into a dangerous position.
On the whole, therefore, it was Miss
Bostal rather than Nell who carried
the sympathy of the ordeal. When
the little, thin lady, with the pinched
face and the faded hair, stepped into
the witness-box and kissed the book
with grave and dignified reverence,
there was little or no laughter at her
odd costume of fifteen years before. at
the "grl-of-the-period" short jacket,
bunched-up gown and Tyrolese hat,
which, once so smart" and up-to-date.
had now become such quaint relic OF
the past. People pardoned her eccen-
tric dress, her prim little manners, in
consideration Of the goodness of heart
which had caused the little lady to
hold out helping nand to the poor
scapegrace and to champion the cause
of the man of the people against the
gentleman.
Every ear in the court was strained
to catch her words, but the little wom-
an spoke out well, in thin, almost
Shrill voice, indeed, but with a dis
tinct utterance which made every
word carry from end to end of the hall.
II understand, madam, that you
were the last person who is known
to have spoken to Jem Stickels before
his death?" said the coroner.
Eyes, SIR" answered Miss Theodore.
"I went to the cottage where he lodged
as soon as I heard Of his accident, to
learn how he was"
"He opened the door to you himself,
I believe"
Eyes. sir; he did"
"And he was very surly to you, l
believes"
Eyes, sir, he was rather. He was
much excited. and said that we should
have to answer some questions to-
morrow morning"
At these words every man and wom-
an in the court felt stirred to deeper
interest. They were touching the edge
of the mystery at last.
"He said you would be asked some
questions? What did you suppose him
to mean by that?"
II hardly thought about it, He spoke
in a wild way. He was very angry
and excited. All 1 thought about was
trying to pacify him"
did it occur to you at all that he
had any idea of making away with
himself?"
This question evidently took the wit
ness by surprise. Miss Bostal stared
at the coroner in frank perplexity. 1t
was clear that the notion was new to
her.
mo, sir, I certainly did not think
that"
"You had no idea what he meant?"
"Well, sir, thought he meant to re-
fer to the story that has been about
the story of some robberies not far
from where he lived. He often used to
say he knew who the thief was"
At this ingenious reply, which
slipped out of the witness's mouth
without her having any idea of the
bombsheu she was throwing down. q
great sensation shook the listening
crowd, and called forth cries of silence
from the police.
He was much excited, you say? Did
he seem otherwise in his usual state?
I mean, did he speak as man who is
in perfect health, in perfect command
of himselfY" asked the coroner, much
to the disappointment of the listeners,
who were more interested in the mys-
terry lying underneath the story than
in the death of Jem Stickels.
"Oh, yes! He seemed quite himself.
We were surprised to find him like
that"
''And-was he sober?"
"Quite sober, l should say"
Did he say anything about the blow
he had received? Did he make any
complaint"
None while was there"
"And now, madam, l must ask you
another question. How far is it from
your house to the spot where the de-
ceased was found.
Miss Bostal considered.
IF you 60 by the fields, it must be
about mile and half. By the road,
! should think nearly two miles"
At this point the superintendent of
police nodded to the coroner, to express
his assent to his calculation.
And now tell me. if you please,
what time it was when you left the
cottage. when you saw the last of the
deceased, that is to say"
1T was about ten minutes past sew
en-"
How did you fix the time?"
Il looked at my watch when We got
back home again. to see if it was time
to light a fire in the dininsroom for
my fathers return home. And it was
then five and twenty minutes past
seven"
Then you reckon that you did the