Anadarko daily democrat. [volume] (Anadarko, Oklahoma) 1908-191?, 1908-12-11


We'll. Mr. Clarke. what do you
think by this timer" I ventured.
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 on. 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 II.
Wilbur Paget, the drug clerk, might
have committed the murder. He has
for several years been desperately and
hopelessly I'm love with Mrs. Williams,
and has cherished a 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 n 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 DIR. Smith stopped
at the Williams home to deliver the
package from the drug store DIR. 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
absent-mindedness | 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 it's purpose"
mo, no, you are all wrong" / ex-
claimed. II would have to lose all my
faith in womankind before | could
credit 1t. | would rather believe 1t OF
the doctor"
After breakfasting the next morning
Clarke and | set out TO fulfill ou- ten
tative appointment with Mrs. VIII.
| Jams.
Mrs. Williams" he began in his
whirlwind fashion, Il 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 a 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 DR.. 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. II
is a fact, is II 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. know
he is innocent"
How do you know it?" snapped
Clarke. with his eyes riveted upon the
frail bit OF femininity before him.
II know it-because-because
changed the powders"
MRS. Williams. why do you, who
are not of a caste given to falsehood
deliberately tell me what know to be
untrue? DR.. Smith would not ask this
sacrifice at your hands. He is limo
cent, and his innocence alone will save
him"
She cried, appeallngly:
20, will save himl You shall mo-
prevent me! Even though he be guilty
will save him. Mine was the frs
guilt. Prove that he is innocent, anC
will thank you with my whole life
II you cannot, do not stand in my
, way, for / am the guilty one and OF
my head alone should the punishment
fall. You have dragged out m!
secret and made me lay my heart oper
before you who are strangers. Do no
betray me but let me work this prob
lem out in my own way, beg Of you
gentlemen"
Just then the telephone bell ranl
violently.
Answer it, II you please, Mr.. Sex
, ton" said the woman, who seemed to-
, weak to rise.
, went TO the telephone.
Coroner has arrived. Inquest is be
ginning. Mrs. Williams wanted at ono,
at the court house."
l turned and gave the message vet
r batim.
With hurried promise to keep on
) counsel let Mrs. Williams take he
: own course, but to do all in our powe
! What do you think OF II. Clarke?
1 ! / asked.