The San Francisco call., 1908-03-08
CHAPTER XIII-Continued

n FORAGE was right in his assumption that the case
IL against Lucinda. Kart and Hannah Simmons
L Il would never he pressed. Although il was proved
beyond doubt that Eliza Farrell had swallowed
arsenic in Sufficiently large quantity to cause death,
the utter absence OF motive in favor of the
accused and then suspicion that tle poison might
have been sef-adminste if with suicidal intent
with another steadily gained ground. Miss Farrels
rondsrful courpexion might easily have induced
by the use OF arsenic. many thought
At all events the evidence against Lucinda and Han
nah when sifted was exceedingly hnsy and the
lack Of motive so evident, there further
ouestion OF bringing trial Still the suspicion,
onoe raised grew Ike weed as suspicion does
in the ready the human heart For month
after the tragedy It seemed if Sylvia Whitmans
prophecy concerning the falling of of the hotel guests
was destined to fall The old hostelry crowded
Newspaper men from all parts of the coun-
try nocked there connected with the
press who morbidly curious and reveied in the
sicIv excitement thinking they might be living in
the house Of poisoner. Lucinda Hart sent in her
resignation the church choir. Her experience the
rrst time she had sung Eliza Farrers death did
not exactly daunt her; she not to be easily
dzunted But had raised her husky contralto. and
lifted elderly head in its lowered bonnet before
that watohfuI OF old friends and neighbors
and strangers and had gone home and written her
stiny worded OF resignation.
She attended church following Sunday. She said
10 her absence might lead people to think
there ground for the awful charge which had
been brought against her. She bought
bonnet and the audience and heard Lucy
1res beautiful contraito voice sing in her
place Lucy sang wen and looked very pretty in her
lace blouse white hat but she pale that
r,eop1e commented on it, sylvia who a fairly
snssoaistic psrtisshp for Lucinda. spoke TO her
she came out Of church and walked with her until
fber roads divided Sylvia Henry follow with
Rose Fletcher who staying westland
and pressed close Lucinda. How your" she
said
wen enough: why shouldn't be7' retorted
Lucinda
It was impossible 10 tell from her manner whether
se was grateful for friendly She
held her head very high. There stiff. jetted
ornament on her bonnet and it stood like a
shot suspicious glance Sylvia. Lucinda
in entertained that suspicion of suspicious
vhIol Doisons very soul.
Il don't know why you shouldn't be-" replied Sylvia
She cast az angry glance the people around them
and that angry glance like honey TO Lucinda.
..You were fool give place in the choir
said Sylvia. still with that wandering I'd
sung I'd shown EN-, and I'd sung out Of tune If I'd
wanted to-
you don't know what it was last Sunday" said
Lucinda then. She did speak complainngly or
piteously There strength in her voice. but
il emphatic.
Z guess do know" said sylvia I saw everybody
crsuing their necks and ali them You've got
lot Of strangers the hotel haven't Lucinda?
Yes" said Lucinda. and thete echo to her
nonosylable Ike expletive.
sylvia nodded sympathizinglya Some of them write
for the papers T suppose" said she.
some OF them. I know it's my bread and butter to
have them, but ] such a parcel folks.
Talk about eyes in the back of heads, They're all
eyes and all they nothing
except eyes and tongue. But there's lot
like think maybe they're eating poison.
] know I'm watched every time stir up mite of
cake but stir away"
You have your hands fall"
YES: 7 had get Abby Smith to help"
she amt good for much"
No: ain't She's thinkin' all of how
she looks. OF what she's doing. She waits on
table though helps wash dishes. She generally