Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-11
XVI.

/ Although I returned to the court house
| greatly refreshed in mind and body, had
| no sooner resumed my seat In the jury box
| than became conscious of unconquer-
| able feeling of dread, which speedily UNI
| nerved and depressed me. Perhaps ii was
| because had never before seen it by night,
| but the court room looked unfamiliar to
/, my eyes-its bare walls draped with heavy
shadows cast by the green-shaded lamps,
! its crude, dingy furniture looming up
monstrously from black background and
! the rows of faces staring from the public
| benches showing CHASTITY white in the
somber light. Apparently l was not the
| only who felt the chilling influence of
| the place. for there was no buzzing and
chattering such as had prefaced the day
| sessions. and the silence was broken only
| by an occasional whisper or cough. Indeed,
the spectators might have been assembled
| for worship, SO solemHly and silently did
| they sit in their places waiting for the en-
trance of the judge.
! Gilbert was already in his place. engaged
| In close consultation with his assist
! ants when l arrived, and shortly af-
| terward Miss Emory entered with the
sheriff and seated herself quietly at the
| counsels' table. This was the first time
| she had appeared ,unaccompanied by her
counsel. and her stormy clash with Bar
| stow instantly required to my mind. Was
| her quiet entrance a sequel of that cpl
| sode, and. If so, what did it portend?
As l asked myself these questions Col.
Frayne and his daughter entered, but in
| stead of seating themselves, as usual,
among the other spectators, they moved to
the front of the room and began con-
versing with Miss Emory in low tones. The
moment Barstow appeared, however, they
rose, and, hastily claspng the defendants
hands, made their way back to the public
benches.
Barstow greeted his client courteously,
l. blIt without least suggestion of the
solicitude he had displayed in the morning,
and when she addressed him | saw him
frown impatientIy and turn abruptly to his
books and papers, over which he busted
| himself for some minutes. Then he sud
denly swung around. and. leaning forward,
| looked straight into his clients eyes. whis-
pering rapidly and earnestly, and empha-
| sizing his remarks with blows OF MS list
upon his open palm. Miss Emory lowered
| her gaze as she listened, but | saw her
| shake her head again and again, as though
| she We're not persuaded by his arguments,
whatever they We're and evidently there
was some irreconcilable difference between
| her and her adviser. Finally Barstow be-
| came aware that the jurors were watch
| ing the conference, and he instantly Drought
| 1t to close and almost at the same mo-
| ment the attendant pounded his warning
| on the side door. and the judge entered,
| bowling usual to the audience as he TOOK
| his seat
His honor gave immediate attention to
| some papers which had been laid before
him, and the room watched him In silence
| as he read them, his white race looking
sterner and older in the light of the green
| shaded lamps on the tall standards at either
side of his desk. At last he looked up and
| cast quick glance over the room
"Ali witnesses in the case on trial will
retire to my room and wait there until
Called he ordered. Make haste, II you
please" he added sharply, as the exodus
| began. Mr.. BarStow, he continued l
am advised that the witness Mapes VIII be
| hi,
| tinue your ross-examination.
Very wen, your honor. May l be ad-
| vised of her arriyal?
Certainly. Now, Mr.. GIpeFt, caH youi
'sBettina Field" announced the prose-
| cutor.
The door opened. but some moments
| elapsed before the timd. shrinking mouse
| maid appeared on the threshold. and | felt
| a thrill of pity for her as sne wandered
| blindly toward the counsels' table ana
| halted there irresoiutely. "A court attend
ant hurried forward, and taking her
| arm led her to the witness chair, but
! even when she had mounted the one
step platform she stood there dumbly star
ing at the audience. Finally the Official
| gently forced her to sit down, and she yield
| ed like a somnambulist, apparently uncon-
scious of her surroundings.
! Her answers to Gilberts opening questions
were scarcely more than whispers, and as
| the prosecutor repeated them to the jury
| he moved back until he addressed her from
the far end of the jury box-little by little
| coaxing her 70 raise her voice.
But although he continued to handle her
with consummate tact and gentleness the
| girl grew more and more frightened as the
| eXarninat ton proceeded, and before the pre-
Iiminary questions ended her responses had
become mere incoherent murmurs, and the
prosecutor abandoning all efforts to reaS-
sure her. pressed directly to his point
| Miss Field, did you ever see the defend
| ant. Miss Alice Emory, wearing blue
| cloth skirt?"
] The instant she comprehended the ques-
ton I could see the poor creature nervlng
| herself for a tremendous effort, and her
| eyes suddenly centered on mine as though
| appealing to me for protection and sup
| port After a pause the answer came in
| frightened gasp.
"or Miss Mapes?"
No"
Did you ever see such a thing as blue
| cloth skirt in Mr.. Shaw's house|
The witness positively chung to me with
| her eyes.
No" she answered, firmly.
There was desperate courage in the ut
| terance of that lie, and could not help ad-
| miring the woman for it.
did you ever see anything which looked
| like a blue cloth skirt In Miss Mapes' pos
session.
| The jurors, leaning forward and listening
| intentiy, could scarcely hear the whispered
| denial.
Speak up, Miss Field" the prosecutor
prompted we must near your answer
| Yes mop?
The witness eyes questioned me wildly,
] imploringy. but at last she shook her head
| Her searching gaze was becoming exceed
ingly uncomfortable, and l knew the prose
cutor was beginning to notice it, but | did
not have the heart to deny the pitiful en-
couragement which she seemed to derive
from concentrating her gaze my face.
Look at me, Miss Ffeld!'
The girl started and glanced tremblingly
at her questioner but her eyes instantly
reverted to me Gilbert repeated his UNI
answered question.
did you, ever see anything resembling a
| blue cloth skirt in Miss Mapes possession 2"
Moo, SIR"
Have you ever had any conversation
with Miss Emory about a blue cloth skirt?''
Never"
But you have talked with Miss Mapes
concerning it, haven't your"
No
| Gilbert watched the girl as he put the
questions but his glance turned to me as
| she answered and felt myself flushing I'M
der his obvious scrutiny.
"Is there furnace In the Shaw firm
| house?"