Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-03-19
CHAPTER v.
Florence Lloyd.

A stir was perceptible all through the
room as Miss Lloyd acknowledged by a
bow of her beautiful head the summons
of the coroner.
The jurors looked at her with evident
sympathy and admiration, and I remem-
bered that as they were fellow-townsmen
and neighbors they probably knew the
young woman well. and she was doubtless
friend of their own daughters
1t seemed as if such social acquaintance
must prejudice them in her favor, and
perhaps render them incapable of UNI
biased judgment should her evidence be
discriminating. But in my secret heart |
confess l felt glad of this. / was glad of
anything that would keep even a shadow
of suspicion away from this girl. to whose
fascinating charm l had already fallen a
Victim.
Nor was the only one in the room who
dreaded the mere thought of Miss Lloyd 5
connection with this horrible matter.
Mr.. Hamilton and Mr.. Porter We're, !
could see, greatly concerned lest some
mistaken suspicion should indicate any
doubt of the girl. l could see by their
kindly slances that she was a favorite
and was absolutely free from suspicion in
their minds
Mr.. Orville had not quite the same atti
tude. Though he looked at Miss Lloyd
admiringly, / felt sure he was alertly
ready to pounce upon anything that might
seem to connect her with a guilty knoWl-
edge of this crime.
Gregory Halls attitude was ineXplicable
and / concluded 1 had yet much to learn
about that young man. He looked at Miss
Lloyd critically, and though his glance
could not be called quite unsympathetic,
yet it showed no definite sympathy. He
seemed to be coldly weighing her in his
own mental balance. and he seemed to
await whatever she might be about to say
with the impartial air of a disinterested
Judge. Though a stranger myself, my
heart ached for the young woman who
was placed so suddenly in such a painful
position, but Gregory Hall apparently
lacked any personal interest in the case.
l felt sure this was not true, that he
was not really SO unconcerned as he APP
peared: but I could not guess why he
chose to assume an impressive mask
Miss Lloyd had not risen, as it was not
required of her. and she sat expectant.
but with no sign of nervousness. Mrs.
Pierce. her companion. was simply CULVER
ing with agitation. Now and again she
would touch Miss Lloyd's shoulder or
hand, or whisper a word of encourage
ment or perhaps wiring her own hands in
futile despair.
OF course these demonstrations were Of
little avail, nor did it seem as If Florence
Lloyd needed assistance er support.
She gave the impression not only OF
general capability in managing her own
affairs, but of special strength in an
emergency.
And an emergency it was; for though
the two aforementioned jurors. who had
been intimate friends of her uncle. We're.
doubtless in sympathy with Miss Lloyd,
and though the coroner was kindly dis
posed toward her. yet the other jurors
took little pains to conceal their suspi-
cious attitude, and as for Mr.. parmalee,
he was fairly eager with anticipation of
the revelations about to come.
Your name?" said the coroner. briefly.
as IL conquering his own sympathy by an
unnecessarily formal tone.
Florence Lloyd" was the answer.
"Your position in this house?"
'I am the niece of Mrs. Joseph Craw-
ford, who died many years ago. Since
her death / have lived with Mr.. Crawford,
occupying in every respect the position of
his daughter, though not legally adopted
as SUCH"
"Mr. Crawford was always kind to
your :.
"More than kind. He was generous and