Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-06-28

Handing those two ends to me. she asked
me to tie them about her wrist. "A knot
under and a bow on top. she said, so that
it cannot slip off, AS this was something
l had often been called on to do for her,
showed no hesitation in complying with her
request. Indeed, felt none. l thought 1t
was her fan or her bouquet she held con-
cealed in the folds of her dress. but 1t
proved to be-gentlemen, you know what.
l pray that you will not oblige me to men
ton it."
1t was such a stroke as no lawyer would
have advised her to makeI heard after
ward that she had refused the offices of a
dozen lawyers who had prOffered her their
services. But uttered as it was, with a
noble air and a certain dignified serenity. it
had great effect upon those about her and
turned IN a moment the wavering tide of
favor In her direction
me coroner, who doubtless was perfect
iy acquainted with the explanation with
which she had provided herself. but who
perhaps did not look for 1t to antedate
his attack. bowed In quiet acknowledge
ment OF her request and then Immediately
proceeded to ignore it,
should be glad to spare you.' said he.
but l do not find 1t possible You knew
that Mr.. jeffrey had a pistol?"
Il did,
That 1t was kept in their apartments?
Yes"
I'm the upper drawer of a certain bu-
reau?"
Yes"
Now. Miss futile. will you tell US why
you went to that drawer-if you did go
to that drawer-immediately after Mrs
jeffrey left the house~'
She had probably felt this question COM
ing, not only since the coroner began to
from Loretta proved that her visit to this
drawer had been secretly observed Yet
she had no answer ready
Il did not go for the pistol" she finally
declared But she did not say what she
had gone for. and the coroner did not
press her.
Again the tide swung back.
She seemed to feel the change. but did
not show 1t In the way naturally looked
for. Instead Of growing perturbed or omen
~ depressed she bloOmed into greater
beauty and confronted with steadier eve.
not US, but the men she instinctiyely faced
as the tide OF her fortunes began to lower.
Did the coroner perceive this and recognize
at iast both the measure of her attractions
and the power they were likely to carry
with them? Perhaps for his voice took
an acrid note as he declared:
You had another errand in that room, p.
She let her head droop Just a trtfie
"Alas!' she murmured
You went to the book shelves and took
out book with a peculiar cover a cover
which Mr.. jeffrey has already recognized
certain note"
You have said It," she faltered.
DID you take such book outr'
II did"
For what purpose. Miss Tuttle?"
She had meant to answer quickly Pint
some consideration made her hesitate and
the words were long In coming: when she
did speak 1t was to say:
My sister asked another favor OF
me after l had tied the ribbon. Paus-
Ing In her passage to the door. she
informed me in a tone quite In keeping
with her whole manner. that she had LEFT
a note for her husband in the book thew
were reading together. Her reason for do
ing this. she said. was the very natural enc
of wishing him to come upon 1t by chance
but as she had placed It in the front Of the
book instead of in the back where they
were reading she was afraid that he would
frttl to find 1t. Would be SO good as To
Ike 1t out for her and insert 1t again
somewhere near the end? She was In a
hurry or she would return and do 1t herself.
AS she and Mr.. jeffrey had parted In anger.
hailed with Joy this evidence of her desire
for reconciliation. and 1t was In obedience
to her request. the singularity of which did
not strike me forcibly thea as now. that