Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1907-11-26

wealthy planter named RaVenel, dnC
given by him to his ward, the present
Mrs. Hawkstone. At the name Of Ra-
venel the officers exchanged glances.
Bring in the prisoner" said the
coroner.
Gabriel Ravenel entered. He had
assumed his normal appearance, and
looked what he really was-a hand
some, highbred young gentleman. Al
sight of him Salome uttered an invol-
untary scream.
"Marse Gabriel! Marse Gabriel!"
you recognize this MANI" said the
coroner.
YES" Salome acknowledged. He
was the son of her late master, and q
former lover Of Mrs. Hawkstones.
This testimony made a sensation In
the room.
Ravenel was next examined.
He admitted the truth of Salome's
statements, also that he had followed
the welded pair north, and to Tempest
Island. For what purpose? Here he
grew pale and confused, and answered
that he had wished to see with his own
eyes that Mrs. Hawkstone was happy
with the man she had chosen In pref
erence to himself. Had his relations
with Hawkstone been cordial? AS COLI
lege classmates, yes; as rivals, no. he
had once challenged the Island lord to
a duel, but the latter would not fight.
The knife which had done the fatal
deed was shown. Ravenel swore that
he had never seen 1t before. Had he
been at the hall on the night Of the
murder? Yes, he had entered the
grounds while the rejoicing was In
progress-had seen Hawkstone and his
bride in the porch, and on returning
to the shore, and finding his boat
adrift, had walked distractedly about
in the rain till surprised by Joe Derby.
He answered all questions with frank
ness and composure. A disappointed
lover he certainly was, torn with jeal-
Gus passions, and guilty Of having for
more than a week dogged the steps OF
the bridal pair. Was he a midnight
assassin also? 1t remained to be seen
whether or not such a charge could be
properly supported against Gabriel
Ravenel.
Jetta Hawkstone was next to appear.
She entered the room dressed in deep
est black. Her beautiful eyes were hol-
low, her face looked white and drawn.
She started slightly as her gaze fell on
Ravenel, but that was all. Perhaps the
shock of her husband death had rem
dered her incapable of lighter shades
OF feeling. She gave her testimony
with calmness.
On the night Of the murder she had
been awakened by a strange sound at
the open window Of her chamber. she
had called her husband in vain-had
leaned and touched him-had felt
something warm and wet on her hands;
then, lighting a lamp, she had made
the ghastly discovery Of the murder.
She was asked II she knew Of any per-
son who could have committed such a
crime. She grew q shade winter and
faltered mol" Did she recognize the
man Ravenel? Yes, and for the hrst
time the color surged into her stony
face. He was a rejected suitor? Yes.
Had he ever, in her presence, uttered
threats against the dead man? She
firmly answered mo" This was all
that Philip Hawkstone's widow had to
tell.
Other testimony of less Importance
followed. A verdict Of wilful murder
was promptly. rendered against Gabriel
Ravenel. The officers Of the law took
possession of the unlucky lover, and
carried him straightway to Whithaven
jail, to await trial for the assassination
of Philip Hawkstone.
The island people were gathered
about the house anxiously awaiting
the verdict. AS the witnesses came out
from the inquest girl in a red cloak
darted from the shadow Of the main
staircase, raised Mrs. Hawkstone's
hand to her lips, kissed 1t passionately,
and whispered over 1t one word ITO
night" Then Peg Patton drew back,
and was lost at once in the crowd.