The Washington times., 1904-05-08
CHAPTER TY-Continued.


HE swore that he had taken enough
in his pocket to pay the money. but
Brand inviting him TO ride to Utica, he
thought he would go and draw some
more money, as he intended TO use
some the next day in purchasing
small place on the Clifton Road for
him and Beatrice to make their home
in He swore, also. that he left Brand.
not where Lee and Finland asserted.
but at the road which led to Shade
lands. He said he did not pass it. but
Brand STOPPED the horse at the road,
he stepped from the wagon, and went
right home
Now, that was all the defense nc
had. We made mincemeat of il with
the two eyewitnesses. Another thing
against Forrest was that Jake Brand
was never known. in the whole course
of his life. TO do a philanthropic act
He had never lent anybody any money
fer any purpose. except. of course. in
tho way Of business on good security,
CT as an investment on bond and mort
gage. But such an act as Forrest
claimed was entirely foreign to Brands
nature.
Furthermore. there was nothing
found TO show that Brand made the
loan. OF course. Forrest had nothing
to produce. and Brands executors could
find no paper. If Forrest had claimed
that he had received back from Brand
his note and had destroyed il, that
would have had some weight Had he
shown a receipt he would have proven
that part of his case, but that would
not have freed him from the murder.
But what Forrest did claim was pre-
posterous. He claimed that when Brand
loaned him the money he had signed an
acknowledgment of the debt, which
Brand had kept. But when he paid the
money Brand had mIslaid the acknowl-
edgment. and said let it go for a day
or two and he would look it up. 1t
wasn't Brands way of doing business.
and would not wash with the court
The paper was never found.
Forrest was convicted Of murder in
the second degree and sentenced 10 life
imprisonment. He is serving that SEN
tence at Auburn now"
So this was the story Of Bob Forrest.
This explained why Beatrice hated
James Stage.
other things. It did not explain how
James was the cause Of her clipping. Il
did not explain that terrified cry to the
man in the church window that 1 was
James Stages cousin.
The whole thing confused me so that
INcould not think clearly.
did Beatrice maintain her fathers
innocence?"
'StOutly. She evidently loved him,
and he did her. II was the bitterest part
10 him that he was forever degrading
her"
But If the two witnesses saw the
murder and robbery. how did Forrest
escape execution? Why was the YER
dict not murder in the first degree?"
because the witnesses were at such
a distance that they could not see the
blow struck Brand was not shot Q
stabbed. He was killed by blow Il
the head with a club"
Then. as a matter of fact. he as
convicted on circumstantiaI evidence.
notwithstanding that your witnesses !
were eyewitnesses.
We'll. I suppose it amounts to that;
yes. But. you see. there were discrep-
ancies in Forests testimony. He |
claimed that he left the wagon at the I
road to Shadelands. while Lee and En-
land swOre that he went quarter of a /
mile past it."
''Who was this Enland?''
"A young man from Syracuse, stay |
ing with James Lee.
Then, the money was never foundT''
mo. Forrest had a snug sum in the /
bank. which he had deposited on the
day OF his arrival 1 suppose IT is there
yet John Lee was made guardian of /
Beatrice. and as he is rich. I dare say
he viii take care of it for her"
mot now" 1 said, The is so enraged
with her.
Still she has legal rights. II he
does not do the right thing she can
apply for an accounting and have a
new guardian appointed"
Somehow that beautiful, white, tear
stained face, so full of anguish, came
up before me.
James" 1 asked. could a married
woman apply for a GUARDIAN"
''Why-I suppose so; but. as a rule,
a married woman, whether a minor or
not. is supposed to have a husband who
viii protect her interest
Just so, said, putting harder on my
cigar.
But she will not be married woman
tomorrow. viii have the marriage
annulled"
wave OF unrest swept over me. I
pictured that shrinking. delicate girl.
left alone to buffet this cold. unfeeling
world II the rich John Lee turned
against her, 10 whom could she apply
for guardian who would protect her
interest?
She would, / know, marry that other
man as soon as 1 set her free. But was
it not the money that was serving as a
bait 20 him?
! did not know how much money
Beatrice had. ] did not care. But the
girl had seemed so helpless. so abso-
utely at the mercy Of the more pow
erful that I shuddered when thought
what would probably be her end.
We had talked all night The early
dawn was coming IN through the In
rary windows James stretched himself
yawned, and rose TO his feet.
We'll" he said. we have had a mos. .
exciting night. / wonder what Thorn ,
ton would say to your rest. But 90 10 !
bed now. Wen get a little sleen and .
tomorrow ! VIII present your case he
fore Judge Morgan and have the mar
Tiage annulled."
he was about 10 take step from
the room when there came a neal al the !
bell. None Of the servants was nm :