Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1902-08-15
.;:..i.;CHAPTER XIV.
Continued.

ton was Strongly antagonistic to Nell
ON account of her undoubted claims 10
beauty; and the strong feeling against
her was undoubtedly the result OF SIM
pie jealousy rather than solid opinion
founded upon her own conduct. The
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 not lover to be
proud Of, while the other had brought
himself into dangerous position.
On the whole, therefore, 1t 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 "girl-of- the period" short Jacket.
bunched-up gown and TyrOlese hat,
which, once so "smart" and up-to-date.
had now become such a quaint relic or
the past. People pardOned her eccen-
trio 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 we'll, in thin, almost
shrill voice, indeed, but with a dis
tinct utterance which made every
word carry from end to end of the hall.
81 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.p answered Miss Theodore.
81 went to the cottage where he lodged
as soon as 1 heard Of his accident to
learn how he was"
.+ "He opened the door to you himself,
] believer"
eyes, sir; he did"
"And he was very surly to you, l
believer
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 saiG you would be asked some
questions? What did you suppose him
to mean by that?'
81 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
nau any lued VI hdhihS away "''A
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 rohberies 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 witnesses mouth
without her having any idea of the
bombshell she was throwing down, a
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 ?
mean, did he speak as a man who Is
In perfect health, In perfect command
of himself?" 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 lie sober"
"Quite sober, l should say"
did he say anything about the blow
he had received? Did he make any
complaint?'
"None while vas there"
"And now, madam, / must ask you
another question How far is it from
your house to the spot where the de-
ceased was found.
Miss Bostal considered.
eff you 90 by the fields, it must be
about mile and half. BY the road,
Z should think nearly two miles"
At this point the superintendent OF
police nodded to the coroner, to express
his assent to his calculation.
Auu HoW tei he' IL you Pio"oe'
what time 1t was when you left the
cottage, when sou saw the last of the
deceased, that is to say"
at was about ten minutes past sew.
en-"
"How did rou fix the timer"
81 looked at my watch when we got
back home again, to see Il 1t was time