Newport daily independent., 1903-04-17

fly yelled stepped majestically down the aisle and took her seat in the wit ness chair. That's young Martin" make a fine girl?"
 ''We should like,'' said the defend ants counsel, rising, "if the charming and beautiful plaintiff in this case would be so good as to raise her veil and let us gaze upon her wondrous countenance."
 The plaintiff obligingly raised her veil and fastened it around her hat. La Verne dropped his cigarette and sat with his eyes suddenly riveted on the witness. His face was white and those who sat near him noticed how he trembled, and commented on his splen- did acting.
 Your name?" asked Harrison.
 Mrs. John A. La Verne"
 Do you know this defendant?" asked Harrison, pointing to MT. La Verne
 "Yes.'
 "Is he any relation to you?" asked IldIIISOu- II SD, WHdb
 He is my husband" said the woman. slowly. La Verne's lips moved slow ly. Its a lie," he muttered.
 Everybody around turned and looked at him in surprise. His attorney tapped him on the back. Don't be too dramatic, La Verne" he whispered. "This is to be just jolly, good natured fun, you know. Don't mako it so se- rious."
 Did this defendant desert you after your marriage?" asked Harrison.
 He did," responded the woman on the stand. "He thought I had money. He married me for it. After a short year, during which he made the dis covery that I was poor, he treated me cruelty and then deserted me and my child" The witness was now leaning forward and talking rapidly and ex- citedly. Every eye in the salon was fastened on her. La Verne sat like a she went on. 'I'Il have my revenge. He's going out to the east to take a high position in the consular service of the government. I'll wait until he has taken his place and been received in society and then I'll appear and tell all. Then, when broken and heart- sick, he goes elsewhere, I'll follow him there and strike him oown again. I'll follow him to the ends of the world, and if ever he turns his hand against me I'll shoot him and laugh while he's gasping for his last breath"
 The witness had drawn wicked little revolver from her pocket and started to raise it. Then she let it slide from her lap, and, dropping her head in her hands, sobbed convulsive- ly.
 The audience sat breathless while the big clock over the captains chair licked as though some one were stril- ing the table with hammer. Then the applause broke out. Men and wom- en stood on the chairs and shouted and clapped their hands. Flowers were hurled at the weeping plaintiff, and from all around came such express sions: "Never saw such acting in my life" By gad, that fellows simply great George, but that is almost real. Greatest thing I ever heard"
 The applause finally died down and La Verne, pale and calm, was standing in his place at the table.
 My attorney" he said, 'is overcome after such a splendid piece of acting as we have witnessed here tonight. 1 myself believe that to do or say any more would be in the nature of anti climax, and l feel sure that you would rather this would end now, so that you could go away with this wonderful bit of realism sharp and keen in your memories. After the testimony of our | gifted young friend on the stand am ready to plead guilty to wife abandon ment, murder, arson, ballot box stuff ing or anything else. So your honor,' he said, turning to the judge, q plead guilty and offer to the plaintiff in sat. isfacton of her grievous wrongs pa. pers emitting her to all of a little for. tune l received not long since of $50. 900. l have the papers on board ship and can send them to her tonight" l La Verne sat down, while the audi. ence applauded again. The plaintiff nodded assent and the judge, after heaping many warm compliments on the magnificent bit of acting to which the plaintiff had treated them, ad iourned the court
 The men sat in the smoking room that night for long time discussing the mock trial.
 La Verne isn't such bad actor either" one of them was saying. "He plays joke out to the end, too. I just met one of the Chinese boys a moment ago carrying lot of legal looking pa pers that La Verne had given him dowr to Martins room, keeping up the joke you know, about the $5O,O0O fortune. , Chicago Tribune.