The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1913-09-06


upon her understanding. Her mouth
opened with a gasp, her eyes widened
Why" she said, Jerking her words
from a choking throat He knows
who did it. told him. 1t was-me."
The door latch clicked behind her.
She turned In the direction whence
came the sound. and repeated. as IL
the interrupter contradicted her:
Eyes. did 1t. killed Brokoski"
Her strength failed her. She sobbed
convulsively.
"Yes-I-did-it." she repeated. II
-did-it"
Gilman stared in wonder. Here,
then, was the person who had stood
in the alley beneath the window that
night. whose footprints would have led
him to the solution of his mystery. to
the end of his clever chain. The prob
lem OF her motive for Staying Brokoski
alone remained. He longed to ask her,
but she had collapsed unconscious in
her chair. Turning to the governor he
implored light. A word informed him
Of the accidental killing Of Brokoski
by Jealous woman who was trying
to shoot his vis-a-vis. Then he de-
manded in tones reproachful:
why did you not tell me this?"
Because" the man quietly respond
ed. 81 do not war on women"
The door whose latch had clicked
had opened wide, and William Handy
entered. smiling.
Governor Chatham was asserting pa
pers on his desk, as a man would
whose routine work had received a
trifiing interruption. Handy remained
on his feet.
John" he said, John, I take OF
my hat to you. I admire your nerve
l recognized 1t years ago. that day
you presided over our convention in
the old seventh district-remember?
the day you turned me down so hard.
Remember"
The governor smiled.
This amt flattery," said Handy,
seating himself in a leather chair.
You're not only all I've said, you're
a devil Of good fellow to boot"
Handy spoke seldom. He never
wrote letters, but sent word, accord
ing to an ancient maxim uttered by
one Of the political fathers. But when
he did speak. he spoke bluntly. in the
same tone in which he would have
called a man a liar The governor
raised his hand to stay Handy's com.
pliments.
Yes, john" he persisted. You're
a hell of good fellow, but" he added,
you're a damn poor politician"
There was the faintest shadow of a
smile on the governors face. Handy
closed his eyes until they were the
merest Sits. He pulled his cigar back
to life.
His head was wrapped in scarfs of
smoke.
When does the grand Jury sit?"
he inquired. after a time.
mot till the December term"
I'VE can have a special one impan-
eled. I'll have Donnelly call It,"
The governor looked at Handy.
William" he said, you might as well
understand now. that that would be
wholly useless. l am convinced of
Whalen's innocence absolutely, beyond
all doubt. but it will be impossible to
get jury to convict the one who did
kill Brokoski on such evidence as
convinced me-"
But she confesses." urged Handy.
ITO whom?"'
ITO you"
Exactly. But what II that confess
sion be privileged communication?
Handy looked up In amazement.
you don't mean you wouldn't testi-
fy?"
The governors countenance lost its
legal expression. and became suddenly
human. II Handy had been a thinner
man he would have jumped when the
governor said:
DO you think would send a wom-
an to the penitentiary to elect myself
governor"
Are you sure confessions to a gov
ernor are privileges" inquired Handy.
who was adhering to practical things.
The governors face put on its legal
mask again, and he replied:
well. the question is unsettled"
who presides in the criminal court
this winter?" inquired Handy, ANY Of
our fellows?" Handys whole philoso-
ply Of life was pull. The governor
resumed. without answering:
"The question has never been decid-
ed. Mr.. Chief Justice Marshall, upon
the trial of Aaron Burr. ruled, II re-
member. that a subpoena duces tecum
might be issued to the president for a
letter addressed to him, leaving the
question of the production Of the let.
ter"
"Oh. say. John" broke in Handy.
"Burr's dead. isn't he? And he wasn't
good fellow. anyway. or he'd never
got In that far. Go on with your legal
ities-I myself do not propose to 90 to
Jail for contempt for refusing to testi-
fy."
your"
Yes, me-"
What have you to do with IT."
"Oh. nothing much" said Handy,
"only happened to be inside that
door just now when she confessed
and there's Gilman besides" Handy.
his cigar tilted upward. smoked on
voluminously and smiled through the
smoke with deep satisfaction. The
governor averted his face. Lines Of