Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1902-07-31
CHAPTER XIV.
Continued.

| CHAPTER XIV.
Continued.
| The feminine portion of the pOpu'a
tion was strongly antagonistic to Mel
| on account of her undoubtcd claims tt
beauty; and the strong feeling agains
her was undoubtedly the result of sim
| pic jealousy rather than Il solid opinion
founded upon her own conduct. The
male portion of the populace. on the
other hand, while less virulent thar
| the women, were not inclined to warm
partisanship OH behalf of the girl, who
had always displayed Il marked indlf
ference to their attentions. There was
many n young nun in the crowded
court that day who found Il secret
salve for his wounded vanity in the
thought that the girl who would not
vOuchsafe him so much as a look nad
come to grief between two admirers,
one of whom was not n lover to be
proud of, while the other had brought
himself into 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 digniticd reverence,
there was little or no laughter ut her
odd costume of fifteen years before. at
the "girl-of-thc- period" short Jacket
bunthed,up gown and Tyrolese hat
which, once so smart" and up-to-datc,
had now become such II quaint relic OF
the past. People pardoncd her ecccn-
tric Dress her prim little manners, in
consideration of the goodness of heart
which had caused the little lady TO
hold out 4 helping nand to the poor
scapccrace 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 Il dis,
tinct uttcrancc which made every
Il understand madam, that you
were the last person who is known
to have spoken to Jem Stickcls before
his death" said the coroner.
Eyes, sir" answered Miss Theodore.
81 went to the cottage where he lodged
as soon as heard of his accident, to
learn how he was
"Hc opened the door to you himself,
| believe"
"Ycs, sir; he did"
"And he was very surly to you, l
believe"
"Yes. 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?'
Il hardly thought about it. He spoke
in q wild way. He was very angry
and excited. All | thought about was
trying to pacify him.
Ibid 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 pcrpleXity. 1t
was clear that the notion was new to
her.
mo. sir, I certainly did not think
that
"You had no idea what he mcant!'
"Well, sir, thought he meant to re-
fer to the story that has been about.
the story of some robberics not far
| from where lie lived. He often used t.
say he knew who the thief was
AT this ingenious reply. whicl
slipped out OF the witnesses moutl
without her having any idea of the
| bombshell she was throwing down, &
great sensation shook the listening
crowd, and called forth cries Of silence
from the police.
"IIe was much excited, you say? Die
he. seem otherwise in his usual state
l mean, did lie speak as a man who Is
in perfect health, in perfect command
of himsclf!" asked the coroner, mucl
to the disappointment of the listeners
who were more Interested in the mys
terry lying underneath the story thai
in the death of Jcm Stickels.
"Oh, yes! He seemed quite himself
We were surprised to find him llk'
that"
"And-was lie sober"
"Quite sober, | should say"
did he say anything about the blow
he had received? Did he make an.
complaints
None while vas there"
"And now. madam, | must ask yo'
another question. How far is it frol
your house TO the spot where the dc
ceased WAS found.
Miss Bostal considered.
! "If you 20 by the fields, it must b
about mile and half. BY the roat
, should think nearly two miles"
At this point the superintendent c
police nodded to the coroner, to expires
his assent to his calculation.
"And now tell me. II you pleas
what time 1t was when you left til
cottage, wnen you saw the last of til
deceased that is to say!
at was about ten minutes past se'
en-"
How did rou fix the timer"
81 looked at my watch when we g
back home again, to see IL it was tin