The Elbert County tribune., 1908-12-03

Here is the case. DIR. Smith did not
commit that murder. There was no
more surprised person in the lodge
room when the pistol went off. He
gave himself up for two reasons. First
to shield the woman he loves and
whom he believes TO be guilty. Sec
ond he feels that he is technically
| guilty because his hand did the act,
and his mind has exulted over 1t.
Wilbur Paget. the drug clerk. might
have committed the murder. He has
for several years been desperately and
hopelessly in love with Mrs. Williams,
and has cherished secret hatred for
her husband. Thus the motive was
there. The only reason he is not guilty
is that the idea did not occur to him.
| will show you the opportunity later
Her motive was double one. She suf-
fered in silence the constant abuse of
n drunken husband. She loved an
other. Thus she had the strongest
motive which can actuate woman
TO murder, the desire TO rid herself of
a man who was running her life ard
to be free to marry a man she loved.
Now for the opportunity which
you doubt When DIR. Smith stopped
at :he Williams home to deliver the
package from the drug store Dr. VIII
| liams was out. Common courtesy de-
manded that the wife ask Dr. Smith
into the house, even had her heart
not prompted her to snatch every mo.
ment with him that she could.
Now for the opportunity. When
DIR. Smith left the house he did not
take the powder with him. Whether
1t was connivance, intent, or merely
Observation-Disclosures | cannot say, but
incline toward the latter. At any rate,
the imitation powder was in the pos
session of Mrs. Williams for some
little time. She knew its purpose"
NO, no, you are all wrong ] ex-
claimed. Il would have to lose all my
faith in womankind before / could
credit it. / would rather believe it OF
the DOCTOR"
After breakfasting the next morning
Clarke and l set out to fulfill our ten
tative appointment with Mrs. Will
Jams.
Mrs. Williams he began in his
whirlwind fashion, 81 will ask you
what passed between yourself and DR..
Smith at the early morning meeting
you had with him yesterday. Wait
minute. Is 1t not fact that DIR.
Smith called you to the back door be-
fore the neighbors were up and while
the watchers were all in the front part
of the house with the body, and con-
fessed to you that he had executed
the fatal change in the powders?"
did DIR. Smith tell you that?" she
asked in a tense voice, while she con-
vulsively clasped and unclasped her
hands.
"Dr. Smith has told me nothing. 1t
is fact, is 1t not?"
Yes"
But despite his confession to you
and the fact that he gave himself up
to the police, you believe him to be
innocent?"
20, sir, more than believe. I know
he is innocent"
How do you know IT." snapped
Clarke. with his eyes riveted upon the
frail bit of femininity before him.
Il know it-because-because ]
changed the powders
Mrs. Williams, why do you. who
are not of caste given to falsehood.
deliberately tell me what know to be
untrue? DIR. Smith would not ask this
sacrifice at your hands. He Is inno-
cent, and his innocence alone will save
him."
She cried. appealingly:
20, ! will save himl You shall not
prevent me, Even though he be guilty
/ will save him. Mine was the first
guilt Prove that he is innocent, and
will thank you with my whole life
If you cannot, do not stand In my
way. for ! am the guilty one and on
my head alone should the punishment
fall. You have dragged out my
secret and made me lay my heart open
before you who are strangers. Do not
betray me but let me work this prob
lem out in my own way, beg of you,
gentlemen"
Just then the telephone bell rang
violently.
Answer It, If you please, Mr.. Sex
ton," said the woman, who seemed too
weak to rise.
/ went to the telephone.
Coroner has arrived. Inquest is be-
ginning Mrs. Williams wanted at once
at the court house"
l turned and gave the message YER
batim.
With hurried promise to keep our
counsel let Mrs. Williams take her
own course, but to do all in our power
What do you think of it, elarke?"
I asked.