The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-07-28
(Continued)

The inquest was adjourned over one
day: no explanation that the eye OF the
law could recognize having been discov-
cred thus far to account for the mysteri-
Gus circumstances OF the case
IL was arranged that more witnesses
should be summoned. and that the Lon
don solicitor OF the deceaeed should be in
vited to attend. A medical man was also
charged with the duty of reporting on the
mental condition ~ the servant which
appeared at present 10 debar him from
giving any evidence OF the least import
ance. He could only declare. In a dazed
way. that ne had been ordered. on the
night OF the hre, TO wait I'm the lane. and
that he knew nothing else. except that
the deceased was certainly his master
Ny own impression was that he had
been FIRST used without any guilty knowl-
edge on his own part) tn ascertain the
fact OF the clerks absence from home on
the previous day; and that he had been
afterward ordered TO wait near the
church Cbut out OF sight Of the vestry) TO
assist his master. In the event OF my es-
Gaping the attack on the road, and OF
collision occurring between Sir Percival
and myself. IL is necessary 20 add that
the mans own testimony was never OBJ
tsined TO confirm this view The medical
report OF him declared that what little
mental faculty he possessed was serious
ly shaken: nothing satisfactory was ex-
tracted from him Mt the adjourned In
quest; and. for aught know to the con-
trary. he may never have recovered 10
this day.
returned to the hotel at Welmingham,
so jaded In body and mind. so weakened
and depressed by all that ] had gone
through, as TO be quite unht 10 endure the
local gossip about the inquest. and 10 an
al he foll
ers addressed to me I'm the coffee-room.
withdrew from my scanty dinner TO my
cheap sarret chamber to secure myself
little quiet, and to think, undisturbed, OF
Laura and Marian.
II I had been a richer man, / would
have gone back 10 London. and would
have comforted myself with sight ~
two dear faces again. that night. But
I was bound 70 appear II called on. at the
adjourned inquest. and doubiy bound 10
answer my hail before the magistrate At
Knowlesbury. Our slender resources had
suffered already and the doubtful future
more doubtful than ever now--made
me dread decreasing our means unneccs-
sarily by allowing myself an indulgence,
even at the small cost OF double rail-
way journey In the carriage OF the sec
ond class.
The next day---the' day Immediately
disposal began the morning by again
applying at the postoffice for my regular
report from Marian. II was waiting for
me. as before. and II was written
throughout I'm good spirits. I read the
letter thankfully. and then set forth.
with my mind at ease for the day. 10
GO To old Wemingham. and 10 view the
scene Of the fre by the morning light.
What changes met me when / rot
there.
Through all the ways Of our unintelli-
gible world the trivial and the terrible
walk hand I'm hand together The irony
OF circumstances holds no mortal catas
trophe In respect When ! reached he
church the trampled condition ~ the
burial ground was the only serious trace
left 10 tell II the FIRE and the death. A
rough boarding OF boards had been
knocked up before the vestry door -vav.
Rude caricatures were scrawled on N
already; and the village children were
fRhting and shouting for the possession
of the best peep-hole 10 see through. on
tho spot where I had heard the cry for
help from the burning room. on the spot
where the panic stricken servant had
dropped on his knees fussy flock of
poultry wasinow scramblnR for the frst
choice of worms after the rain-and on
tho ground az my feet. where the door
workman's dinner was waiting for him.
tied mp I'm yellow ha sin. and his faith
ful cur In charge was yelping ~ me FOR
coming near the food The old clerk look
ng idly at the slow commencement ~ the
rcpairs. had only one interest that Re
could talk about now-the interest Of sS
Gaping all blame, for his own part. on ac-
count of the accident that had happened
Cne of the village women whose white.
wild face remembered tho picture D
terror. wher We pulled down the beam
was g.gglng with another woman. ihs
picture ~ inanity. over an old washing
tab. Thcre IL nothing serious In NOR
talitv' Solomon In all his glory. w"s
$ ,iomon with the elements Of the con
emptihle lurking in every fold az he
ro;,es srd IN every corner of his palace.
As left the place my thoughts turned,
not i"r the nrst time. 70 the complete
overthrow thst all present hope ~ estab-
fishing faura's identity had now suf-
,ertd through sir Perclvars death. Ne
vri gone and. with him. the chance
wns gone which had been the one object
of all M lsbors and all my hopes.