Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1901-03-13

VIII ne doing me n wrong winch Aga
tha Webb would be the first to con-
denim DIR. Talbot and you, gentlemen
OF the jury, In the face of God and
man, | here declare that Mrs. Webb In
TO herself the blow which has robbed
us all of n most valuable life. She vas
not murdered"
1t vas a solemn assertion. but 1t fall
ed to convince the crowd before him.
AS by n impulse men and women
broke into tumult. Mr.. Sutherland was
forgotten, and cries Of "Ncver! She
was too goodl It's all calumny! A
wrctched lle"' broke In unrestrained
excitement from every part OF the large
room. In vain the coroner smotc With
bis gavel: in vain the local police en-.
deayored TO restore order; the tide was
up and oyerswept everything for an In.
slant till silence was suddenly restored
by the sight OF Amabcl smoothing out
the fields OF her crisp white frock with
an lncredulous. almost Insulting. smile
that nj 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 n credible one ! shall
have TO tell my story from the begin
Ming. Am l allowed TO do so, Mr.. Coro-
ncr:"
"You are" was the firm response.
"Then, gentlemen" continued Fred.
erlck, still without looking at .Amabel,
whose smile had acquired n mockery
that drew the eyes Of the jury toward
her more than ono 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 10 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, rs | was ig-
norant Of her intentions IN my regard
or that l was the special object of he.
attention, or that we were under any
mutual obligations In any way. Why,
then, | should Lave thought If going
TO her in the great strait in which
found myself on that day | eau hardly
say. | knew she had money in her.
house. This l had unlapuily been made
acquainted with in an accidental way,
and | knew she was 20 kindly diSposi.
ton and quite capable II doing a very
unscllish act. Still this would not seem
70 be rcason enough for Inc to intrude
upon her late at night with 4 plea for a
large loan Of money lad | not been In
a desperate condition If mind, which
made any attempt seem reasonable THAI
promised relief from fir UGgElurahia
burden Of a pressing and dIsruputahlc
debt.
Il was obliged 10 have mo0Cy-a
great deal Of mongy-aHl I had 10 have
It at once, and. willie know this will
not serve to llghtcn the suspicion |
have brought upon myself ly my late
admissions, it is the only explanation
| 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. Il small entertain
mont was being given wh,h would in
sure It's being open even at 50 late an
hour MS midnight. Miss Page, who
will, I am sure, pardon The introduc,
ton Of her name into this narrative,
has taken pains 20 declare to you that
In the expedition she herself made into
town that evening she followed some
persons steps down hill. This is very
likely true, and those steps were prob,
ably mine, for after leaving the house
by the garden door | came directly
down the main road TO the corner OF
the lane running past Mrs. Webb's cot.
tage. Having already seen from the
hillside the light burning in her upper
windows, | felt encouraged TO proceed
and so fastened on till | anne to thC
gate on High street. Here had a mo
mcnt of hesitation, and thoughts bitter
enough for me to recall them at thi'
/ moment came into my mind, making
that instant perhaps the very worst IL
my life. But they passed, thank God
and with nothing more desperate It
mind than n sulicn intention of having
my own way about this money lifted
the latch Of the front door and stepped
In.
81 had expected TO find a jovial grouI
Of friends in her little ground parlor o
at least hear the sound Of merry voice,
and laughter In the rooms above, bu
I no sounds Of any sort awaited me. In
deed the house seemed strangely silen
for one so fully lighted. and, astonlsh
= ed at this, | pushed the door ajar a
: my left and looked in. An unexpecte'
and pltiful sight awaited me. Seate,
Mt n table set with abundance of TN
tasted food, ! saw the master Of tn
+ house. with his head sunk forward OF
$ his arms, asleep. The expected guest
had failed to arrive, and he, tired on
+ with waiting. had fallen into a doze a
the board.
"This was n condition Of things fo
!. which I was not prepared. Mrs. Webb
whom | wished TO see, was probabl
e up stairs, and while I might summo
her by a sturdy rap on the door. be
side which | stood, | had so little desir
n to wake her husband, of whose menta
$ condition | was well aware, that
n rcould not bring myself TO make an
), loud noise within his hearing. Yet
4 had not the courage TO retreat. All III
b hope of relief from the many ditlicu
ties that mcnaccd me lay In the gel