The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-07-17

black eyes returning the stare, she sat
erect, and gave tit for tat.
She declared that she was a wife, In tones
Intentionally accented. as IL she expected
and was ready to meet a challenge from
her enemy across the table. on either side
of which were grouped opposing counsel,
Doctor Parish and newspaper men
Her training and experience when she
was Miss Pierce. elocutionist and public
reader. affected her as witness.
She did. indeed, speak her speech "trip
pingly on the tongue" Her words had the
Mrs. Patrick Campbell quality, reverberat-
ing, clear distinct, studied, deliberate, enun-
ciated in contralto pitch; expressive of emo
ton not by swift changes in key, but by
the subtle lights and shades Of accent
PLAINTIFFS DECLARATION.
The story told by Mrs Imboden' was
that of her five years association with Doc
tor Imboden. during which she insisted the
relations of man and wife existed between
them.
This began, she declared. July q, 1898,
when the agreement Of marriage was sworn
to between them in the presence of Mrs
Pierce, mother OF the plaintiff. During this
period, she maintains. Imboden was the
''dutiful husband" giving her pin money"
footing all the bills, always affectionate In
demeanor, visiting her regularly and 'taking
her occasionally upon trips out of the city,
constantly observing and satisfying her
every need or want.
Secrecy, however. she declared. was a part
OF the bargain, to be ended only at the
marriage of L. E. Imboden's daughter,
and secrecy which. she insists. was about
to be broken when came the sudden death
of Imboden.
Three other witnesses gave their deposit
lions for the plaintiff-Allan ]. Showers OF
No. 1882 Evans avenue: Edward c. Ter
week. jeweler. at No. 5O2 North Sixth street,
and Mrs. Katherine Mullen Of No. 1923
North Taylor avenue.
Their testimony showed that the plaintiff
and Imboden were much together. almost
daily. Mrs. Mullen at one time saw Imboden
kiss Miss Pierce when visiting at the Pierce
home, which, at that time. was rext door
to Mrs. Mullens on North Taylor.
The plaintiff was on the stand the greater
part of the afternoon. When called by her
attorney, Mr.. Joseph wheless. she slipped
quietly forward and occupied the witness
chair. Her pallid face. with its dark PEN
ciled eyebrows. composed features. bespoke
troubles and Ill health. but was emotionless
Stating her name. she said: Il was Lille
B. Pierce. The correct name was Elizabeth
B.. but / was always called Lille Belle
Now my name is Mrs. 1mboden-"
She then stated that her residence is at
No. H4s Evans avenue. where she has lived
for the last two years, previous to that at
No. 1875 North Taylor. where she stayed
four years. She said that before the sum-
mer of 9S she made her living as an eo-
cutionist.
DESCRIBES MEETING.
"I met Mr.. Imboden," she said, "the
second Sunday after Easter, April "a. 1888
/ was walking with my mother, and met
Mr.. Imboden and his daughter. Qere she
nodded almost interceptibly toward Mrs
Parrish.) She introduced me-"
Then Attorney Wheless asked If she ever
kept diary. She said that she always kept
one. Several small memorandum books
were produced. in which were entries. all
dated. She identified and explained the
following entries:
April "a. met L. E. L." meaning Luther
E. Imboden: April 2s Mr.. I. and his
daughter called; July g. 1898, Highlands,
Mr.. limb. contract" meaning that this was
the date that the contract Of marriage
was agreed upon between them at the
Highlands.
Very soon after our first meeting" she
testified, Mr.. Imboden called upon me- ac-