Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-06-22

anything about him, but that he was some
one whom he knew well. and who knew him
well. He affirmed that the two had met
and spoken near Soldiers Home shortly
after the sun went down. and that the man
would be sure to remember this meeting
If we could only find him.
AS Soldiers Home was several miles from
the Moore house and quite out of the way
OF all his accustomed Mounts Coroner T.
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. posi-
bly, being influenced by what he had heard
of the yearly vigils Mr.. Moore was In the
habit OF keeping there. had taken a notion
10 stroll among the graves in search of
rest and peace of mind he had failed to find
in his aimess walks about the city. At
least, that was the way he chose to ac-
count for 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 1t was without avail he presently
acknowledged.
II cannot remember who it was. My
brain 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 1t
closes at shutdown. the hour can be fixed
to minute. 1t was somewhere near seven.
l believe; near enough, 1 am sure. for il
to have 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 this?' he
demanded with sudden haughtiness. as. ris-
Ing to his feet, he confronted us in all the
pride of his exceptionally handsome per-
son.
I'VE wish to believe it." assented the
coroner, rising in his turn. THAT our be-
lief may become certainty. will you let us
know, the instant you recall the name OF
the man you talked with at the cemetery
gate? His testimony, far more than any
word Of yours, will settle this question
which otherwise may prove a vexed one"
Mr.. Jeffrey's hand went up to his head.
was he acting part or did he really for
welfare to remember? II he had forgot
ten. 1t argued that he was in state OF
greater disturbance on that night than
would naturally be occasioned by a mere
lovers quarrel with his wife.
Did the same thought strike my COM
panion? 1 cannot say: 1 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
q fact so undeniable?'
IT cannot reconcile them. 1t would mad
den me to try. If thought any one was
with her at that moment"
"Well?'
Mr. Jefrrey'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:
ut Is dreadful to think of her standing
there alone aiming pistol at her young
passionate heart: but 1t is worse to pic
ture her doing this under the gaze of I'M
sympathIzing eyes. / cannot and will not
so picture her. You have been misled by
appearances or what In police parlance Is
called 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 jury had de-
cided upon his guilt. he turned toward the
door out Of which had already 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 hav-
ing his first struggle with the new and
terrible prospect awaiting him at the APP
preaching inquest.
CTo be continued tomorroW)