The Caldwell watchman. (Columbia, La.) 1885-1946, 1911-04-28
you are Mr.. Atwater-the MAJ

"You are Mr. Atwater-the MAJ
who-who inserted this-this notice?
She fumbled in her gold-mesh hand
bag with rcrve.c"s fingers producing
a much-creascl fragment q newspa
per.
Ny. Atwater" bowel "Be seated
Mrs. Narott," he commanded gently
You see | recognize your identity"
In Coils name, who are you? Whaj
do you want with RE? But-but-
She sank into the seat, shaking witt
terror. Valentine was too merciful tC
prolong her agony; as much in pity
as from sense Of duty he held be
fore her gaze TIE head of the lateful
tiligree hatpin, saying gravely:
do you recognize this bauble, Mrs
Marott?'
The woman gave one afrightened
glance, then shrank back whispering
in horror-stricken tones: where did
you find It? | searched" Then, sud
denly realizing that out of her OWE
mouth she had perhaps condemned
herself, she clapped gloved hand to
her lips and almost collapsed in her
chair, sickly pallor whitening he1
still beautiful cheeks.
Valentine considerably waited be
fore pressing home the inevitable and
fateful query:
why did you do It! Tell me-
must have the truth, Mrs. Marott, be-
fore you or I leave this ROOM"
She started to her feet. her eyes
cleaning with almost insane passion
her gloved hands clenching and I'M
clenching until the delicate kid threat
ened to burst.
"Why did I do it," she almost
screamed. Because that monster
made my life hell! Because he
threatened to ruin me socially! Be.
cause he had me in his power! He
was fiend incarnate, and the world
is we'll rid Of such carton" A min.
ute's pause and the sorely-racked vic.
tim Of mans cupidity went on more
calmly: Like a fool, wanted more
money than my husband could give
me. l owed for losses at bridge, to
my dressmakers, and for foolish ex.
travagances. A woman friend told me
that Caleb Winnett lent freely to So
ciety women, so l went to him. AT
first he asked no security-simply my
promise to pay-notes, he called them.
Instead of winning at cards, l lost
more-then borrowed again. When.
ever received my monthly allowance
it all went to satisfy that-that Shy.
lock! In all, paid back the original
loans twice over, yet never could
get out of his clutches. Finally he
became ugly, demanded security, so l
gave him my jewels. But he was in.
satiable, the wretch! literally
stripped myself Of valuables. l was
forced to lie to my husband in the at
tempt to explain matters until my life
became living torment! Still he de.
manded payment, and declared he'd
wait no longer, but would apply to
Mr. Marott. That-that night l went
to make last appeal. Then the fiend
incarnate insulted me, and in frenzy
of anger didn't really realize what
l was doing-I snatched long pin
from my hat and-struck the mon
ster! When I realized what l had
done, when l saw him huddled limp
and lifeless in his chair, I ran from
the house. Now you have the truth,
the whole truth, so help me God! Do
what you will With met"
AS Inspector Finney Valentine list.
ened to this bald and tragic recital
which his own genius had elected,
and which cleared up the mystery of
the filigree hatpin, 1t was borne upon
him that this woman-respected, hon.
ored, 1oved-had been more sinned
against than SHINING. Retribution had
overtaken Caleb Winnett, and doubt.
less many another unfortunate was
now liberated from his tolls. No jury
would ever convict her!
The great detective sat in silence,
his heart wrung responsibility to the
racking sobs of the woman before him.
Surely this was a time, he thought,
when Justice should be tempered with
mercy. There came to his mind the
words of another: Hath any man con.
demned thee? Neither do l condemn
thee. Go in peace"
Rising slowly to his feet, Inspector
Valentine broke silence. MRS. Ma.
rott," he said, gravely, you have al.
ready borne enough. What has trans.
pired here today is as though 1t had
never been. I wish you good after
noon and as much happiness as the
future can bring"
The woman rose likewise, looked al
him moment with swimming eyes
then bowed her head and went her
way.