The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1916-02-17
CHAPTER XVII.
THE VERDICT.

Goldberger paused at the stair head
and looked at me, an ironical light in
his eyes. 1 knew he suspected that
Miss Vaughans story of the handker-
chief was no great surprise to me.
WELL" he asked will you wish to
put her on the stand?"
l shook my head and started down
| the stairs, for I was far from desiring
an argument just then, but he stopped
me, with hand upon the sleeve.
You realize, Mr.. Lester" he said,
more seriously, that it is plainly my
duty to cause SWANS arrest?"
Yes" I assented. Il realize that
Under the circumstances, you can do
nothing else"
| together. I saw SWANS eager eyes
! upon us as we came out upon the
| lawn, and his lips were at my ear the
instant had taken my seat.
"Well?" he whispered.
she cannot help you" said. did
not think it necessary to say how deep
ly she would hurt him when her testi-
mony was called for in open court, as,
Of course, 1t would be.
And you won't put her on the
stand?"
NO" I answered, and he sank back
with sigh of relief. Then something
in my face seemed to catch his eve,
don't mean that she believes 1 did it?"
he demanded hoarsely.
"Oh, no.. l FASTENED to assure him;
she says such an accusation is alb
surd; she was greatly overcome when
she learned that you were even sus-
pected; she said. ="
But the coroner raped for order
Have you any other evidence to in
trduce, Mr.. LESTER" he asked
mo. your honor" 1 answered. and
saw the cloud Of disappointment that
fell upon the faces of reporters and
photographers. To have been able to
feature Miss Vaughan would have
meant an extra column. 1 could also
see, from the expression on the faces
Of the jury, that my failure to put her
on the stand made an unfaVorable i'm
preston. There was, indeed, only one
inference to draw from 1t.
Goldberger turned aside for a few
words with the prosecutor, and I sus-
pected that he was telling him OF Miss
Vaughan's discovery Of the blood
stained handkerchief; but there was no
way to get the story before the jury
without calling her. They seemed to
agree, at last, that they had evidence
enough, for the jury was instructed to
prepare its verdict Its members with
drew a little distance under the trees,
and gathered into a group to talk it
over.
l watched them for a moment and
then I turned to Swain.
II suppose you know" l said, that
they're certain to find against you?
Even If they don't. the district attOr-
ney will cause your arrest right away"
He nodded.
I'm not worrying about that. Pm
worrying about Miss Vaughan. You
won't forget your promise?"
No"
She'll have no one but YOU" he went
on rapidly. Neither will 1! You must
not fail u.s."
Il shan't," 1 promised. But you'd
better think about yourself a little.
Swain"
Plenty OF time for that when I'm
sure Marjories safe. The minute you
tell me she's at the Royces', I'll begin
to think about myself. I'm not afraid.
/ didn't kill that man. No jury would
convict me-"
! might have told him that convic-
tons are founded on evidence and that
the evidence in this case was certainly
against him. but thought it better to
hold my peace. The more confident
he was, the less irksome he would find
Imprisonment. So sat silent until the
members of the jury filed back into
their places.
Have you reached a verdict. gentle
men,? the coroner asked, after his
clerk had polled them.
Yes, your honor" the foreman an
swered.
What Is the verdict"
The foreman held out folded paper
TO the clerk, who took IT, opened ii,
and read;
I'VE, the jury l.. the inquest Ileld this
18th day of June. 1908, into the death