The Yale expositor. (Yale, St. Clair County, Mich.) 1894-current, 1909-07-23

the state attorney mas ueputlleu hiS
TO try this case, as he is out of town
and It seems to be the wish of all the
parties TO avoid publicity as much as
possible
"Who Is for the defense?" inquired
McCurdy.
Walter Linton, brilliant young at
torney, went over to THE Pawn" and
held a whispered conversation. Then
he announced that he would defend
the prisoner.
"Will the defendant have aNjury?"
1--WE elect to try the case before the
court" said Linton.
Davies opened for the state aid In
words of fire he painted the awful
treachery of THE Pawn" who. too
cowardly to battle in his own behalf,
had waited until his rival was en-
gagged in friendly scuffie' with an
other and then had slipped in and de-
livered the poltroon's blow. He trust
ed that the real cause of the rivalry
might not be made apparent. 1t was
no wish of the state TO drag in the
mire the name of one of its most love
ly daughters IL the ends of justice
could be subserved without it, But
the state would be able to show q mo-
tive, powerful compelling motive.
While he was a friend of the accused
he had still his duty to perform, and
he felt that he must put friendship
out of his heart and do that duty with
all the power that lay within him.
And where was Tom Childress?
Why was he not there TO ask the
vengeance of the law upon bis assail-
ant? The state would seek 10 show
why. If the accused had any special
knowledge of the whereabouts of his
victim the state would be very likely
to discover 1t. But he had no charges
to make; the present charge was Sc
rious enough. and he was willing to
let what might come out in the evil
dence.
Linton then outlined the defense
and said he would seek TO show that
not Chester Easter but Tom Clarity
had struck the blow.
But this hope for tho Pawn" was
dashed when Clarity weus on the
stand and swore that he had no knife,
and was fully corroboratcd by alt tao
rest. They swore with equal positive
ness that "The Pawn" did have a
knife. All had seen it as he stood
brandishing it at the top of the stair
way. Diaz had seen it when lie re-
turned to the office. Diaz also heard
the threat against the life of Ch:ld-ese.
He did not know what had become of
Childress. He lived near him, and his
family knew nothing of his wacrc.
abouts. He believed that Easter could
tell where he was IL he wanted 70.
This objected to by defendants coun'
sci, and objection sustained.
Through it all The Pawn" sat with
bIoodless face and with eyes far, far
away. He seemed to take no insereLt
in the proceedings until Linton said:
II will now put the defendant on tho
stand in his own behalf. Be sworn,
Mr. Easter"
McCurdy mumbled the oath: do
you swear to tell the truth, the whole
truth, and nothing but the truth con.
corning the matters and facts pertain
ing to this case which shall be asked
of you by counsel. so help you. and so
FORTH"
THE Pawn" took the stand like an
automaton. If the object of the con-
spiracy was to daze him nothing could
have succeeded better. The mystery
is how they kept their faces straight
Several of the less experienced az the
noble art of practical joking had to
leave the room to indulge in smother
ed shouts of laughter.
Now, Chester, tell your version OF
this affair."" said Linton.
Il will tell 1t ALL" began THE
Pawn" in voice choking with emo
ton. II win tell everything. | cant
keep Il back any longer. Tom Chill.
dress face is with me day and night
I wake up and see II in the dead OF
night. II sleep II Is with me in my
dreams. o. great God. IL only could
shut that terrible vision from my
mind" yte yase and. throwing up hIs