The Washington herald., 1912-10-27

/
sisted the counsel "You had nothing
to hide?"
/ Nothing" said Peggy. looking down
and taking harder grio on the rail-
ing. Il really don't know why didn't
tell him"
"Oh, it strikes you as absurd. does
it" commented Sir Robe~. ~ith
delicate flavor of SARCASM
| Yes; it does. rather" said Peggy
| with an uncertain little smile
] Shall l suggest reason!" Sir Rob-
ert leaned toward her and rested both
hands on the bench. you did not tell
him because you did not want him to
know, he declared sternly. "Wcll?"
Peggys lips trembled slightly. The
] strain ,of the constant questioning was
beginning to tell on her overwrought
nerves.
Il don't think that is true" she re-
piled in gentle voice that seemed to
imply that she was trying to be fair
to herself and to the facts as well.
| Come, Mrs. Admastonw exclaimed
Sir Robert, harshly. you heard the
evidence of the detective?'
Yes; did"
He had told the jury that when the
| telephone message came through from
your husband you were in the room;
that you stood by and heard the CO.
respondent tell your husband that Lord
| Ellerdine was staying at the hotel-a
deliberate lie! Also you refused to
speak to your husband. Is that all
true? he demanded.
| Peggy raised her head and threw a
swift, frightened look about the court
| room.
Yes" she answered. family
why did you connive at this lie?"
Numbered Sir Robert
II don't know" stammered the
girl. in a barely audible tone. Really.
l don't-know"
why did YOU refuse to speak to
your husband?' He waited, but the
girl made no reply. "You have told
us that he would not have been an
noyed to tind that you were alone in
Paris with Mr.. Collingwood"
Wonlan's instinct. sometimes as
strong as lawyers training, told Peg
gy to fence.
why should he be annoyed if it
were an accident she asked. gently.
her eyes filling.
Exactly If it we're an accident"
exclaimed Sir Robert. and his voice
snapped like the crack of whip. Now
/ put it to you that the only fact which
made you afraid 70 speak to your hus-
band was because you knew that it was
not an accident ard that he had just
cause for resentment"
| And | say that is not 'truew Peg
gys voice rose with hint of run
ming sob in Il. She suddenly put her
handkerchief TO her eyes The nudges,
whispers. and meaning glances swept
across the seats again. 1t promised
I rare sport Sir Robert glanced down
at the bench before him and softly
drummed with his fingers.
Il do not want to be unfair" ha
said. gravely and not unkindly Peggy
| lowered her hand and looked at him
tearfully.
You are not unfair. Sir Robert"
she said, TREMENDOUSLY. But. oh. its all
unfair"
For the first time her husband raised
his head and looked at her. 1t was
only glance. and he resumed his old
attitudes
Il must press YOU upon this point
| declared Sir Robert. firmly. as Peggy
partly turned her face away and
gripped the railing once more. why
were you afraid to speak to your hus-
band. and why did YOU agree with Mr..
Collingwood, Lord Ellerdine. and Lady
Attwill that you should all pretend to
your husband that YOU had not been
alone in Paris with Mr.. Collingwood?"
Il can't tell you." replied Peggy,
helplessly. was very upset and
really not quite myself"
The trained cross-examiner leaped
forward like a fash.
Not quite yourself? Very upset?
Now. what had happened to upset
you?" he demanded
Nothing" said Peggy. family. A
suppressed litter disturbed the peace
of the court. and Sir John frowned
again.
well. then" cried Sir Robert. i'm
patiently. "can YOU suggest any reason
! why Lord Ellerdine and Lady Attwill
should have connived at this decep-
tion?'
II suppose they thought they were
shielding me-" stammered Peggy.
Shielding youp he echoed. From
what"
Peggy entwined and untwined her
fingers nervously. but did not raise her
head nor make any reply.
Tell me what you think of Lord
Ellerdine-he is an old friend, isn't
he?"
YES" said Peggy, fervently; "a very
dear old friend
DO you think that Lord Ellerdine
and Lady Attwill believed that your
trip to Paris was the result of an aoei-
dent?'
"How can l tell'" murmured Peggy.
She was breathing quickly, and the
color that the early excitement had
brought to her cheeks was gone. leav-
ing them dead white.
"Have YOU any doubt" demanded
Sir Robert. harshly why do you
think that Lord E,llerdine returned to
Paris by the night train instead of let
ting you join him at Chalons. unless he
believed there was something seriously
wrong? Have you any doubt that
Lord Ellerdine believed he was shield
ing you from deliberate act of"-he
broke off. and added. with a bit of
IRONY. well. folly?"
well, I have told you he thought
he was shielding me-" replied Peggy,
piteously.
But you have not told us from
what he thought he was shielding you.
What was he to shield you from?" in
sisted Sir Robert.
There was another pause while the
court room waited in expectant silence