Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1908-12-03

Well, Mr. Clarke, what do yot
think by this timer | ventured
Here is the case. Dr. Smith did not
commit that murder There was nc
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 It,
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.
/ VIII show you the opportunity later.
Her motive was a double one. She suf-
fered in silence the constant abuse of
a drunken husband She loved an
other Thus she had the strongest
motive which can actuate a woman
TO murder, the desire to rid herself OF
a man who was running her life and
TO be free to marry a man she loved
Now for the opportunity which
you doubt. When DR.. Smith stopped
at the Williams home to deliver the
! package from the drug store Or 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
DR.. Smith left the house he did not
take the powder with him Whether
1t was conniyance, intent, or merely
observation-disclosures J 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, I ex.
claimed. II would have to lose all my
faith in womankind before / could
credit It, I would rather believe it Of
the doctor"
After breakfasting the next morning
Clarke and ] set out to fulfill our ten
tative appointment with Mrs Will
Jams.
Mrs. Williams" he began in his
whirlwind fashion, 4 will ask you
what passed between yourself and DR..
Smith at the early morning meeting
you had with him yesterday Wait a
minute. Is 1t not fact that DR.
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 Or. Smith tell you that?" she
asked in tense voice. while she con
vulsiyely clasped and unclasped her
hands.
DR. Smith has told me nothing. 1t
is a fact, is ii not2'
Yes"
But despite his confession to you
and the fact hat he gave himself up
to the police, you believe him to be
Innocent"
20, sir, ! more than believe. know
he is innocent"
How do you know it," snapped
Clarke, with his eyes riveted upon the
frail bit Of femininity before him
x 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? Or Smith would not ask this
sacrifice at your hands He is limo
cent, and his innocence alone will save
him
She cried, appealngly:
20. I will save him, You shall not
prevent me- Even though he be guilty
/ / win save him. Mine was the first
guilt Prove that he is innocent, and
/ will thank YOU with my whole life
II YOU cannot. do not stand In my
way. for I am the guilty one and on
my head alone should tue punishment
fan You have dragged out my
secret and made me lay my heart open
before you who are strangers. Do not
hetray me but lei me work this prob.
lem out tn my own way ! big Of you.
gentlemen
Just then the telephone bell sang
violently.
Answer &c. II YOU please. Mr.. Sex.
ton said the woman. who seemed Toe
, weak to rise
. went To the telephone
Coroner has arrived Inquest is be
ginning Mrs Williams wanted at once
az The court house
] turned and gave the message yer
hatim
With i hurried promise 10 keep our
counsel let Mrs Williams take her
own course bun % DO au in our power
/ What do yon ,hink ot If Clarke
J | asked