The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-06-24

way Of all his accustomed haunts, Coroner
q. asked him how he came to be there.
He replied that he had just come from
Rock Creek Cemetery. That he had been
in a wretched state of mind all day. and
possibly being influenced by what he had
heard Of the yearly vigils Mr.. Moore was
IN the habit OF keeping there, had taken
a notion to stroll among the graves, in
search OF the rest and peace of mind
ne mad rallied to find in his aimless
walks about the city. At least.
that was the way he chose to ac-
count Tor the meeting he mentioned. Fall
ing into reverie again. he seemed to be
trying to recall the name which at this
moment was of such Importance to him.
But It was without avail, as he presently
acknowledged
i cam not remember who it was. My
oran IS Whirling. and can recollect moth
ing but that this man and myself left the
| cemetery together on the night mentioned,
Just as the gate was being closed AS
II closes at shutdown, the hour can be
nXed TO a minute. 1t was somewhere near
7, l believe; near enough, am sure, for
1T to nave been impossible for me to be at
the Moore house at the time my unhappy
wife Is supposed to have taken her life
There is no doubt ABOUT your believing
| th1s!'' he demanded with sudden haughti-
ness, as. rising to his feet, he confronted
us IN all the pride Of his exceptionally
handsome person.
I'VE wish to believe it." assented the
| coroner, rising in his turn "That our
belief may become certainty, will you let
us know, the instant you recall the name
| OF the man you talked with at the GEM
etery gate? His testimony, far more than
any word Of yours, will settle this oues-
ZION Wnlch otherwise may prove a vexed
one.'
Mr.. Jeffrey's hand went up to his head.
was he acting a part or did he really for
get just what it was for his own best
welfare to remember? If he had forgotten,
1t argued that he was in a state of great
er disturbance on that night than would
quarrel with his wife.
| Did the same thought strike my COM
| pan1on? I can not say; I can only give
you his next words.
You have said that your wife would not
be likely to end her life in presence of
any one but yourself Yet you must
see that some one was with her. How do
you propose to reconcile your assertions
with a fact so undeniable?'
| i can not reconcile them. It would
madden me to try. If thought any one
was with her at that moment
| "Well?"
Mr.. Jeffrey's eyes fell; and a startling
change passed over him. But before either
OF us could make out Just what this
change betokened he recovered his aspect
of fixed melancholy and quietly remarked:
1t is dreadful to think of her standing
there alone, aiming a pistol at her young,
passionate heart; but it is worse to pic
ture her doing this under the gaze Of I'M
Isympathlzlng eyes. can not and will not
so picture her. You have been misled by
appearances OF what in police parlance is
called a clue.''
Evidently he did not mean to admit
the possibility Of the pistol having been
fired by any other hand than her own.
This the coroner noted. Bowling with the
respect he showed every man before a
jury had decided upon his guilt, he turned
| toward the door out Of which had al
ready hurried.
I'VE hope to hear from you in the morn
| ing" he called back significantly, as he
| stepped down the stairs
| Mr.. Jeffrey did not answer; he was hay
ing his first struggle with the new and
terrible prospect awaiting him at the APP
preaching inquest.