The Blackfoot optimist. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1907-1918, 1916-03-30


wrong moment. but except for n har.
asSed frOwn he showed little signs ar
his disappointment as he again called
Mary to the witneSs-stand.
She came more willingly this time:
it seemed somehow less of an or,leu,
for she scnsed that things had gone in
iler FAVOR for IL moment. and she did
not even finch when. with a flourish.
the District Attorney took up the re-
volver dying with the other exhibits or
the case Ieforc the jury and. thrustiny
it toward her. asked sharply:
Have you ever seen this revolver
before, Miss Page:"
Yes. 1t belonged to Mr. Pollock"
Was 1t in his possession on the
night when lie was murdered?'
NO" Her voice broke now and fell
1T was IN my possession them"
And you had it at the Hotel Repub-
lic."
YES
And was it your habit" the prose-
cutors voice was satiricaily hooking,
was 1t your habit, Miss Page. to at.
tend banquets with a revolver in your
handbag?"
Mary flushed angrily.
1.-THE revolver was lying on my dress
ing-table at the theater," she said, land
l put 1t into my bag, intending to give
1t to Mr.. Langdon, butt forgot it."
1T was an unfortunate loss of men,
DRY for Mr.. Pollock" said the attorney
dryly, with glance at the jury. Their
he abruptly waved the witness away,
as though it would be a waste of time
to question her further. Langdon halt
ed her.
,"Will you explain to the court" he
cried. "how that revolver came into
your possession. Miss Pager"
Gaining courage at his tone. and the
smile that accompanied his words,
Mary turned toward the jury and in
that beautiful modulated voice that
had held SO many audiences spell
bound. she told rapidly. but in detail.
he story Of POlock's visit to her dress
ing-room on the afternoon of that fa.
tai day She faltereu u little over the
"ecltal of his abrupt proposal and. wo
nah-like. put in the world-old apology
'or his brutality by the simple state
nent
He was drunk. you know"
Then. wildly. her slender hands gcs
urin., and her VOICE rising with poign
mt memories and pride of I.angdon
She told Of the latter's entry in re
RI In IL.
lie with Pollock. Tensely silent. but
with every nerve alert. the .crowd lis
-encd rs she described how Pollock
lad pulled the revolver ont of his peck
t only to drop it.
''IIe tried to pick it up again." she
paid. nnconsciOusly visualzing for them
he picture Of the struggling men. but
crawlcd close and snatched it up lie
fore he could reach It,"
She paused and when she would
have taken up the thread Of her story
again. Langtlon's hand stopped her.
THAT Is all. thank you. Miss Page"
he said. and the District Attorney sur.
prise on his fare. hut with new CLINT
in his eyes. got quickly to his feet.
Il crave the courts permission to
ask the witness one more question.
be said. and as the Judge waved as
sent he asked slowly, knowing the sen.
satiOn his question would create:
Miss Page. was there anyone else
In the room at the time this struggle
was going onT'
"Not-nOt exactly In the rOOm." said
Mary. after IN ins'ant's hesitation.
There were people outside the door.
and-and nv maid. who had been out.
ran In during the excitement"
SIS your maid Janet or Jeanette
3eauchamp:"
Yes" AIary's voice was uneasy now.