Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-11-19
mot at ALL" protested, lamely;

Mot at ALL" I protested, lamely;
Out
II assure you we know less about 1t than
most people,. she went on. Although
were not stupid enough to think Alice
Emory killed the man. That's criminal sig-
norance."
IF you will accept my suggestion will
buckle these -reins together for leading
''Or IL you will do 1t while 1 put the saddle
on again it will save time continued. SIS
Poliicet far from here?'
MOT three miles, she answered "We're
on the direct road now. Didn't you know
No I admitted. II must have taken
the wrong turning for Hefryville."
And came all the way here to rescue a
maiden in distress? It's fate! Romantic
fate! Don't you think so?"
l was in a serious mood, but the girls
merry, hooking face was too much for my
gravity, and I laughed in spite Of myself.
How old are you, anyway" I expostu-
lated but with very little severity In my
tone
what an impolite question: She
mounted to the wagon as she spoke and
held out her hand for the leading strap.
How old are you, yourself?"
'Thirty-siX." I answered, promptly.
'Well, I'm twenty-four," she answered.
"Yeu don't look It," observed, taking
my seat beside her and ohirping to the
horse.
II,
asserted. ''But I will return the compu-
ment at Its face value. You don't look
thirty-six."
Thank you,' responded. gravely.
For some moments we drove on in silence,
and. although the girl was looking back
at Dolly, I knew she was shaking with re-
pressed amusement Indeed, when glanced
around l found myself face to face with a
would have made a mummy smile
NOW, suppose we all give our right
names. as my brother says" She burst
out laughing Pm Barbara Frayne, aged
eighteen. of .Heathercote.' Pollicet"
"And I'm James Lambert, aged thirty
SIX en- route from Melton to Hefryville," 1
responded.
From Melton to Hefryviile?, she re-
peated, wonderingly. II don't see how Won
could have missed your way"
I'm afraid l wasn't thinking of the
road" answered; "but the horse ought to
have remembered it. He's been over it
often enough"
II was on my way to Melton myself when
the buckle weakened" Miss Frayne volun-
teered. did they actually begin that
abominable case today?'' she added,
quickly. ,.sfs
you mean the People against Ernory?" I
asked, without glancfng at my questioner
Il mean Deake Gilbert against Emory!"
she exclaimed, resentfully. Isn't 1t an out
rage?"
.'You know Miss Emory7" I hazarded.
Know her? OF course, know her, and
q dearer. sweeter woman never lived.
Don't tell me you think her guilty."
II have formed no opinion at ALL" I an
swered, uneasily.
t'Then you've never seen her." the girl
declared. mo one who has could have any
doubt of her innocence--no one except
Deake Gilbert. and he's nothing but a
brute. and I've told him that to his face,
tooF'
You mean the prosecutor inquired.
Prosecutor" she repeated, scornfully.
Prosecutor, I call him. Goodness, how
mad 1t makes himr' she added, exultantly.
But his duty began.
His dutyf' she interrupted scornfully.
TITS his duty to find out who did the muir
der, not to prosecute a defenseless woman.
Oh, don't see how a man can do such
things!' she went on, Indignantly. Fancy
planning and plotting for months against
an innocent woman, and then pleading
with lot of country pumpkins to do her to
DEATH Why don't they let women SIT on
the jury7 They don't dare. suppose. oh,
1t Just makes me boil to think of it!'
But IL your friend Is innocent she's In
no danger" observed.
Indeed she isi' the girl asserted 1--WE
heard Deake Gilbert himself admit that q
man has to be sort of half Idiot now
adays before he's qualified TO sit as juror,
and there's no telling what people of that
sort will do" ~
/ inwardly congratulated myself on the
natural sound OF my answering laugh: but
my cheeks were flushing furiously, and /
admit hit the horse without the slightest
pIeyocation.
CTo be continued tomorrow.)