Putnam patriot., 1916-03-03

she was bern.
As with one accord the jury sat up
and leaned forward in their seats. and
onleakers broke out into sudden bah
bic. in which the word insane bob
he'd like a cork On a sea Of rumor. and
not even the judges gavel could secure
silence for several moments. In that
time the color erept back into Mary's
cheeks. and somehow she felt deep in
her heart that the tide of feeling at
least was turned again In her direc
ton.
The district attorney was frowning
and whispering TO his assistant. who
nodded from time to time as lie merry
ously fingered the pile Of papers in
trent of him. but now Lansdon was
speaking again;
I'll is my intention. your honor and
gentlemen of the jury. to show you
step by step through this girls life the
part which that horror of intoxlcatiou
has played. horror that has entan-
gled her in this mesh of tragedy. /
shall eall as my first witness Mary
Page"
1t came as an overwhelming sur.
prise. this calling of Mary to her own
defense. and. although she strove to
be calm. She was obviously startled
and afraid. and wave after wave Of
excitement swept through the room
At the reporters table one sob sister"
whispered TO the other:
poor thiugl She can't stand much
more. It's wicked to call ON her"
Miss Page said Langdon, and his
voice was very gentle. isn't il true
that because of a strong prenatal infu-
ence you were born with an unnatural
horror of intoxication?'
at is true" sighed Mary. but in an
instant the district attorney was on
his feet
81 object" he cried. THAT question
concerns something that took place be
fore Miss Pages birth, She can-she
must, in fact-know it only by hear
say"
Il must sustain your objection" said
the judge. MIR. Langdon. your ques
ton was unfortunately worded Can
you alter it,
Il think | cam" said Langdon. let
us put it this way: What is your ear
Hest re, objection of your father?"
Il object to that also!" storned the
district attorney. 1T is not relevant.
What have Il ehild's vague recollecfons
to do with the action of a woman of
Miss Pages age?s
The judge heSitated. and Langdon,
still smiling. said quickly:
Il withdraw my question. The wit
ness is excused"
DO you wish to cross examiner
asked the judge. and the district attor-
ney. with a seowl shook his head
'Are-are you through with me?"
gasped Mary in bewiderment. and
Langdon nodded. And now. as the
throng waited. he turned to the little
gray haired mother. and his voice rang
out twas it with triumphD:
Mrs. Page
In an instant the room was In an up.
roar. More copy boys rushed for tde
door bearing tapping sheets covered
with serawled. disiointed words. and the
onlookers. who had so far considered
Mrs. Page as merely prop" bit of
the setting in this gripping tragedy.
now scrambled up on to their seats to
cape Mt her In vain the Judge thun-
dered with his gayel. and in vain the
police showed back the spectators and
even thrust one or two belligerent ones
out into the corridor. where they were
welcomed with a roar from the wait
ing. The noise did not subside until
curiosity had been stated.
Mrs. Page. how long ago was it that
you met your husband. Daniel Pager
Thirty one years ago at Christmas. :
she said softly. and the district attor-
ney leaned forward scowlingly. wait
ing to leap at the first irrelevant ques-
ton.
And you became engaged almost at
once did you not!s The question and
the answer were equally quiet.
Yes
but you we're not married for some
timer?
NO" The gentle old voice shook
now, and faint flush eiept into the
thin cheeks.
why The question snapped sharp
~, bat her answer was long in coming.
''Because. she sad 1T last. Il found
that Ian drauk. and IL said ! would
not MARRY man liae-lile that.
Lat yoH did later on
Yes" see continued. He promised
lae chat lie would stop. aud believed
God knows Il woman always believes
that from Il man.
"Fiease make only direct answers to
the see t.oas. broke IN The jude
sterniy But some Woman in the baeh
of the roum sud aiou4.
"Thits the truth she's speaking. Lei
her say It.
~SiIence. communion the judge
Aua now I.anslgn fa3
"WIil you teli as as colcisely IS pos
sible of s. Int hal ..erod after rou mar
riaee?"
For a long tiHe it seened as If sll
could not 70 on and 4l1i1 leanei 20
ward her wills cgiuG ttf
~0h. mother ofHef. aar'ih 81
az il the woods We ti e
coura eemenf 5lfs rage COOS ap 81
thread II Ler story
what hagHcrci.9 SIR ss'd VEN
is what bapnens 70 tha is 9. y
men. We haaaf leeI
long before mY hls1H l3e aa
drink again. The-tlIp arst nleii. 2
came horne really dsuhk was t.e F.sli
/ had plannei 10 ten hm th1t a,af
was coming to MS froI Gol- CO.'S
think ! shall ever forget the heisaf q
that time And all tic while that
was making ready for her Re WIS max
~, ~. fnof,ftit.. IN .,o fuf win him an