The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-06-06
By ANNA KATHARINE GREEN
(Continued.)
Copyright. 1910. By Anna Katharine Rohlfs

That night at the dinner table. When left the room I turned to look at her. She was not looking at me, so I slammed the door and went up- stairs. In an hour or so I had left the house to get a drink. I got the drink, but never saw Adelaide again till I SAW her in her coff1n."
 This blunt denial of the crime for which he stood there arraigned fell on my heart with a weight which showed me how inextinguishabl ble is the hope we cherish deep down un- der all surface convictions. I had been unconscious of this hope, but it was there. It seemed to die a double death at these words. For I be- Heved him. Courage is needed for a lie. There were no signs visible in him as yet of his having drawn upon this last resource of the despairing. I should know it when he did. He could not hide the subtle change from me.
 To others this declaration came with greater or less force, according as it was viewed in the light of a dra- matic trick of Mir. Moffats or as the natural outburst of man fighting for his life in his own way and with his own weapons.
 MT. Moffat, satisfied so far, put his next question with equal directness:
 "Mr. Cumberland, you have men toned seeing your sister in her cof- fin. When was thfs?'
 At the close of her funeral, just be- fore she was carried out"
 Had you seen the casket prior to this moment of which you speak? Had you been near 1t? Had you handled it in any way?'
 "No, sir"
 mention made of ring worn by your sister in life, but missing from her finger after death. You remember this ringT'
 "I do."
 "Is this itr
 "It is, so far as can judge at this distance"
 Hand the ring to the witness" or dered the judge.
 The ring was so handed.
 H. glanced at it and said bitterly: 'I recognize it. It was her engage ment ring"
 'Was this ring on her finger that night at the dinner taDleT
 'I cannot say positively, but I be- 1ieve So. I should have noticed its absence
 ''Why, may I ask"
 For the first time the prisoner flush ed, and the look he darted at his coun- sel had the sting of reproach in 1t. Yet he answered: "It was the token of an engagement I didn't believe in or like. I should have hailed any proof that this engagement was off"
 MT. Moffat smiled enigmatically.
 ''Mr. Cumberland, if you are not sure of having seen this ring then, when did you see it and where?"
 A rustic from end to end of that crowded courtroom. This was an audacious move. What was coming? What would be the answer of the man who was believed not only to have made himself the possessor of this ring, but to have taken a most strange and uncanny method of disposing of it afterward?
 II saw it when the police showed it to me and asked me if I could identify it"
 'Was that the only time you have seen it up to the present moment?'
 '1t is''
 The universal silence gave way to a universal sigh of excitement and re- lief. Without waiting for the present sentiment to cool, MT. Moffat proceed ed immediately with his examination:
 "You swear that you have seen this ring but once since the night of your was shown you in the coroner's officer"
 T do''
 Docs this mean that it was not in your possession at any time during that inserim?'
 ''It certainly does"
 MT. Cumberland, more than one witness has testified to the fact of your having been seen to place your hand in the casket of your sister. be- fore the eyes of the minister and Of others attending her funeral. Is this true?''
 "It is.''
 Was not this a most unusual thing to doT'
 Perhaps. I was not thinking about that. I had duty to perform, and {. performed ir"
 "A duty? Will you explain to the jury what duty?"
 The witness head rose, then sank. He, as well as every one else, seemed to be impressed by the solemnity of the moment. I even thought I could detect a tremor in his muscles as well as in his voice:
 ''I had rebelled against my sisters wishes; had grieved and deceived her up to the very night of her foul and death and all through drink Here his eye flashed. and for that f1eeting moment he looked man. 'T wished to take an oath-an oath I fwoLid remembW 1t was for this purpose I ordered the casket opened Sud thrust my fingers through the eowerH found thore. Wkc-- " 6a-~ gers touched my sisters brow I tn- wardly swore never to taste liquor again I have kept that oath"
 It was au unexpected explanation and calculated to cause a decided and favorable reaction in the minds of those who had looked upon this espe- cial act of his as an irrefutable proof