Morris tribune., 1904-06-18

I'M
suppose you have your reasons for
asking even these puerile and seem
ingly unnecessary questions. The COW
er is queer one, believe, partly red
and partly green, and that is all 1
know about it."
"Is this the bookY'
Mr.. Jeffrey glanced at the volume
the coroner held up before him.
81 believe so; it looks like it,"
The book had a flaming cover, quite
unmistakable in it's character.
''The title shows it to be the same"
remarked the coroner. "Is this the
only book with a cover Of this kind in
the house?"
'The only one, I should say
The coroner laid down the book.
Enough of this, then, for the pres
ent; only let the jury remember that
the cover of this book is peculiar and
that it was kept on shelf at the right
Of the opening leading into the adjoin-
ing bedroom. And now, Mr.. Jeffrey,
we must ask you to look at these rings,
or, rather, at this one. You have seen
1t before. It is the one you placed ON
Mrs. Jeffrey's hand when you were
married to her little over fortnight
ago. You recognize itT'
II do"
| "Do you also recognize this small
| rly nF
here when it was shown to you by the
detective on your return from seeing
her dead body at the Moore house|
II do; yes"
''How do you account for that spot
and the slight injury made to her fin
ger? Should you not say that the ring
had been dragged from her hand"
81 should
"By whom was it dragged? By
you?'
mo, SIR"
"By herself, then?''
''It would seem so"
"Much passion must have been in
that act. Do you think that any ordi-
nary quarrel between husband and
wife would account for the display of
such fury? Are we not right in sup
posing deeper cause for the disturb
ance between you than the slight one
you offer in way Of explanation"
An inaudible answer; then a sudden
Strengthening Of Francis Jeffrey's fine
figure. And that was all.
"Mr. jeffrey, in the talk you had
Until, vo11r m Troo5ov
was Miss Tuttle's name introducedT''
1T was mentioned; yes, sir.''
with recrimination or any display
Of passion on the part Of your wifeY
"You would not believe me If said
no." was the unexpected rejoinder.
The coroner, taken aback by this d.
rect attack from one who had hitherto
borne all his innuendoes with apparent
patience, lost countenance for a mo-
ment, but, remembering that in his Of
fetal capacity he was more than q
match for the elegant gentleman, who
under other circumstances would have
found it only too easy to put him to the
blush, he observed with dignity:
"Mr. Jeffrey, you are on oath. We
certainly have no reason for not be-
lieving you"
Mr.. Jeffrey bowed. He was prob
ably sorry for his momentary loss Of
self control, and gravely, but with eyes
bent downward, answered with the alb
rupt phrase:
swell, then, 1 will say no."
The coroner shifted his ground.
I ask If the like forbearance was
shown toward your wife's name in the
conversation you had with Miss futile
afterward"
"Miss Tuttle was Mrs. Jeffrey's half
sister The bond between them was
strong. Would she-would I-be apt
to speak Of my young wife with Bit
terness"
"That Is not an answer to my Ques-
ton, Mr.. jeffrey. Must request
more positive reply"
"There were no recriminations ut
tered. Mrs. jeffrey had displeased me.
and said so, but did not forget that
l was speaking Of my wife and to her
sister"
AS this was In the highest degree
noncommittal. the coroner could be ex.
cused for persisting.
"The conversation. then. was about
your wife"
1T was"
"In criticism Of her conductT
Eyes"
"At the ambassadors ballT
EYES,"
Mr.. Jeffrey was poor hand at lying.
That last yes" came with great effort.
The coroner waited, possibly for tho
echo Of this last yes" to cease; then
he remarked with GOODNESS which
lifted at once the veil from his hitherto
well disguised antagonism to this wit
ness
~