The National tribune., 1901-11-21
|ssgNTI

the topic OF the luuT. anu never Deloie III
its history had the village of Darkwood
seen such a crowd.
The body of the murdered man rested
in the private buryingground at Pine
Hall, and the beautiful suspect was held
prisoner in the village Jail.
Gilbert March still remained in the vii
lage, and daily he visited the prison. He
urged her to become his wife at once,
that he might have the right to protect
her and procure the necessary legal as
sistance in the ease; but she would not
permit him to do so.
You must wait till my innocence is eS-
taLliShed," she said. with the deepest emo
tion. Il cannot permit you to make what
would now be Il sacrifice. When YOU know
ail-when my lips are free to tell the whole
story-then. if you should still desire me
for your wife. it shall be as you say"
And she would say no more. Whatever
the mystery was that enveloped her in its
dark mcshes; whatever the circumstances
We're that connected her with the dreadful
crime of murder, she would not reveal.
Yet, convinced of her innocence, Gilbert
was content to wait.
The strangest part of the matter was
the fair prisoners refusal 10 employ any
attorney for her defence, announcing that
she would plead her own case.
But unknown to her, Gilbert had i'm
mediateiy wired to New York for his at
torneys, Dillon ~ Bates, and the senior
member of the firm, Gideon Dillon, came
by the first train.
The old lawyer took up his quarters at
the inn. and he and Gilbert were in hourly
consultation.
Together they went over the papers filed
in the case. and the old lawyer was forced
to admit that it looked rather black for
the fair prisoner.
ny,1r- hox- hpps nnfl
in the case" he said, with much vexa-
ton, I'VE might be able to make respect
able fight, but what the deuce is one to
do with a stubborn woman when she once
sets her head TO be contrary! BY JupI-
teri I'll stake my life on her innocence,
but that isn't going to clear her. Can't
you get her to come to her senses and
open her MOUTH
Gilbert shook his head.
"It is no use,' he said. We must let
her have her own way"
The County Attorney evidently antici-
pated an easy victory, and went into the
case as if he were master of the situa-
ton.
Just before the case was called Detec
tive Fix came to Gilbert and said:
Il wish you would speak to Miss Ben
nington. l have just had an interview
with her, and | think she will consent to
your friend, Mr.. Dillon, appearing as her
attorney"
Gilbert went and saw her at once, and
half an hour later, when he came back,
he announced to Dillon that the case had
been placed in his hands.
Then Fix was cioseted for nearly an
hour with Gilbert and the old lawyer, and
when the case opened the detective sat
close by Dillon's side.
The first witness called was the land
lord Of the Blue Stag, who was the first
to discover the murder. In his statement
he told of the arrival of the deceased at
the Blue Stag, and of the subsequent ar
rival of the person giving the name of
Leslie Rush, and continuing, he gave, in
detail. the facts of the case as they have
already been given to the reader. The
next witness called was the landlords
wife, who corrohprated her husbands tes-
timony. When old Mr.. Newton, the wood
cutter. was called to take the stand, Dillon
asked:
What do you desire to prove by this
witness?'
1--WE shall prove. if you please" said
the County Attorney, that the prisoner
came to the house of the witness, between
the hours of and 3 o'clock, on the night
of the murder dressed in mans attire
''Then you had as well save time by
not putting the witness on the stand"
replied Dillon.
''Will you please state your reason for
making so remarkable a statementT said
the Prosecuting Attorney.
I'VE shall admit all you claim to want
You viii?
yes
perhaps you will also admit that it
was the prisoner who came to the Blue
Stag I'm on the night Of the murder,
disguised in mans apparel, and giving her
name as Leslie Rush?"
I'VE also admit that" replied Dillon,
composedly.
mi N
plused He looked at Dillon searchngly.
Perhaps" he said, deliberately, that,
as you are so ready to make admissions,
you will admit that the prisoner purchased
a bottle of liquor at the store of Brown
& Price?'
I'VE also admit that" replied Dillon.
''You do?"
Certainly; you surely heard what
said"
'.,rhen you will probably admit that the
prisoner placed morphine in the lquOr?"
asked the Prosecuting Attorney.
Yes answered Dillon, with perfect
composure, I'VE are ready to admit that,
too
The attorney for the State was thun-
derstrUck with amazement. He glanced
from Dillon to the prisoner, unable to
understand the strange drift. He felt sure
that something was being held in am
bush-something that might be sprung on
him at any moment-and he wanted to be
prepared for it.
The Justice, before whom the prelimi-
nary was being held, glanced over the rims
Of his spectacle at the fair prisoner; then
at her attorney.
'.,This is remarkable admission" he
said, turning his eyes on Miss Benning
ton, and ! should like to hear from her
own lips if she is willing to make the
admission"
Il do" she replied
The Justice looked at her aghast.
The Prosecuting Attorney wore an ex
preston that was strange mixture of
triumph and amaZemcnt.
de felt that there might be trap con-
cea!ed in all this business, and that he
might fall into it at any moment.
Some other witnesses were called and
gave their testimony, and when the prose
cution had finished, Mrs. Gluck, the wife
Of the landlord, was called on the stand
for the defense.
The Prosecuting Attorney smiled at this
and waited with passive demeanor for
what might come.
After the preliminary questions had
been asked, Dillon leaned back in his chair
and surveyed the witness calmly.
Mrs. Gluck,' he said, II shall ask
you TO tell the court if you are now, or
have recently been, the pOssessor OF q
black catF"
IF it please the court, we object" In
terrupted the prosecution. 'The question
is incompetent, irrelevant, and has nothing
TO do with the case"
81 propose to show that it has a very
close connection with fha paSpo said