Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-08
XIII.

XIII.
Although / had seen Mr. Shaw's house
keeper on three occasions before Gilbert
summoned her to testify. had never had
a fair opportunity to study her until she
faced me on the witness-stand. The wo-
mans Christian name exactly described
her, but, nevertheless, she impressed me
as one of those persons for whom CHRIS
tan names are superfluous. Mapes would
have sufficed her for all the ordinary pur-
poses of life, though the prefix Miss
might have been conceded her for formal
occasions. one could even fancy her being
called dear Miss Mapes,' at very impul-
sive moments, but l could not imagine any
body addressing her as Madeleine under
any circumstances whatever. She was a
tall. slim. dign:fied person approaching
middle age Her thin face. with its high
cheek bones, prominent lower jaw and
large. firm mouth, could not by any
stretch of imagination have been called
handsome, but it was decidedly interesting.
and although 1T expressed determination, If
not obstinacy, in almost every line, 1t was
neither hard nor disagreeable. Indeed. her
large brown eyes suggested poss' bslfties of
deep feeling. and her wavy gray hair, part
ed in the middle and Topped over her tenn
PIES gave her almost kindly expression.
But as though she realized this softening
effect and despised it a weakness, Miss
Mapes had neutraliaed it as far as pos
SiDIc by q Mucous DlaCk bonnet lleu Tight
ly under her chin with long black ribbons.
The rest of her attire WIS likewise ap-
parently designed to eliminate every YES
tige of personal charm, and SO lugubrious
was 1t that the long, gun-metal watch
chain suspended from her neck was a posi-
tive relief to the eye and inspired the hope
that her black, Isle thread gloves might
contain something as cheerful as mourn
Ing ring. In fact, 1t seemed as though ma
ture had intended the woman to be sympa-
thetic and comely but she had wiiled 9TH
erwise, and on the surface she was as cal
Ious and severe as manner and clothes
could make her.
Gilbert studied his witness for some mo-
ments before addressing her, and l could
hear the big clock behind the judges desk
ticking the seconds away as the woman
met his silent examination with a steady
stare
Miss Mapes you are an intimate friend
OF the defendant, are you not?'
The housekeeper eyed her questoner sus-
piciously.
Miss Emory and are friends" she an
swered, cautiously.
And you believe her guiltess of the
charge against her, do you not?"
Il certainly do
Then the truth cannot injure her in any
way, can it?"
Miss Mapes shrugged her shoulders non
committally.
ut depends upon who is speaking she
snapped. Some tongues are naturally
truth in the telling"
The audience chuckled delightedly, and
some one started applause which was in
stantly silenced by the judges gavel. Gill
bert displayed no resentment at the wit
ness retort. but returned to the task of
conciliating her with admirable tact and
good-nature. Miss Mapes, however was in
no mood to be placated or treasured. She
was disdanfully suspicious of the prosecu-
tors Difference, and the more consideration
he displayed the less he received She de-
liberated over each question before answer
ing IL, and more than once | thought the
examiners endurance was at an end. HIS
patience, however, was apparently mex
haustIble, and the most aggravatine an
swers left him perfectly unruffled 1t was
not until he touched upon the housekeep-
er's disappearance from Policet that his
manner changed and his questions became
more insstent
The witness had been given the position
of caretaker of Mr.. Shaw's PoIlicer farm.
after his death, had she not? Why
mad she surrendered her duties to another
person and departed from the state shortly
after the inquest?-That was her private
business? Why did she take the ex-house-
maid, Betty Field, with her on that private
business? Because she needed COMPANION
ship? Then why
What was the prosecutor driving at? Did
he mean to imply that the witness was
trying to escape from testifytng? Then why
had she returned IN time for the trialp
Shed come back voluntarily hadn't she?
The prosecutor hadn't brought her back.
had hef No one could have brought her
pack. Wasn't that SO? Then, what did
he mean by his insfnuatlons and insults and
twfstings and turnings and pretence of fair
play? - iN''
Although I knew the woman was dodeinr
could not but admire the courage with
which she turned upon the prosecutor with
her breathless burst Of questions bur NV
admiration was tempered by the suspicion
that she was fighting, not to help her friend
but to save herself
Gilbert made no further attempt to soothe
the witness after her hostile outb1Irst hut
accounting the gage of battle, settled down
to fight It out
Miss Mapes. did you ever see the de-
PENDANT wearing a blue skirt of this shade
and teXture?"
started at the question, and instantly
Gllberts opening words REQUIRED to nv
mind When we found the wearer of the
skirt from which the tell-tale threads were
torn, he had told us we would know the
murderer Of Mr.. Gregory Shaw This
then. was the crucial moment OF the trial
Miss Mapes carefully examined the exhibit
which had been handed her and to nv IN
tense surprise nodded as she returned II
II have seen Miss Emory wear a dark
blue skirt" she responded calmly hut
pie" '''--A
Put substantially the same?"
II could not say"
The examiner paused, and unable to bear
the nervous strain of the suspense I
glanced from the witness to the excited
races in the audience. Barbara Frayne was
leaning forward her hands resting on the
bench In front Of her, her gaze fixed on
the housekeeper's face, and, noting her
anxious expression. turned away, fearing
to meet her eyes.
When did you last see the defendant
wearing such a skirt"
Miss Mapes carefully considered the
question. but her eyes never left the pros I
ecutor. and as she weighed the answer
she appeared the calmest person in the
room.