The review. [volume] (High Point, N.C.) 1908-19??, 1916-04-06

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gasp of dismay wrung from some wo
mans throat faded into stifed sob.
One of the jurors blew his nose loud
", and two or three exchanged sig
nttlcant chances. and Langdon. the
sweat beginning to bead his forehead
knew that they had already made up
their minds that Mary was guilty.
The detective. released. stepped
down from the witness box, and now
the district attorney turned smilingly
to the Judge and said. with an ora-
torical flourish:
"Your honor, the state resist!
The last stone In that brutal gailows
Of evidence had been cemented into
place.
Four excited and self important Of
fee boys scufded out Of the room bear
ing sheets on which was scrawled:
State rests its case after evidence
Of Detective Farley" And through
murmur like the distant roar Of wild
beasts. the unadmitted public clamor-
ing for the news borne by the boys en-
route for the newspaper offices.
But when the door closed again q
tense silence held the room in thrall.
Even Mary's sobs had ceased, and. lift.
ing her tear stained face. she smiled
rainbow wise at Langdon. as II she
would have said: Now is our chance!
Now we will tear down this awful
temple Of doom that has been built
for me!'
Langdon drew a deep breath, flung
back his shoulders as If breast1ng a
tremendous current and said quietly:
"Your honor and gentlemen Of the
Jury. you have heard the case against
Mary Page. Now listen to the case
for Mary Page.
"She has declared herself that she
has no recollection Of those final mo-
ments in that hotel room to which she
had been lured by a miserable beast.
She remembers only flash-like a
dream-of his leer1ng face. and then
blackness swept over her. Gentlemen.
1t Is not the first time that Miss Page
has been affected In that same fashion.
And If Mary Page killed James Pol
lock she did it in q moment of insanity
superinduced by the horror Of intoxica
ton that has pursued her since the day
she was born"
AS with one accord the Jury sat up
and leaned forward in their seats, and
onlookers broke out into sudden bah !
BILE, In which the word insane" bob !
bed like cork on sea Of rumor. and |
not even the judges gavel could secure |
silence for several moments. In that |
time the color crept 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 he nerv-
ously fingered the pile Of papers in
front Of him. but now Langdon was
speaking again:
1T 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 intoxication
has played. horror that has entan-
gled her in this mesh of tragedy.
shall call 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
swept through the room.
At the reporters table one sob sister,
whispered to the other:
Poor thing. 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 it true
that because of strong prenatal influ-
ence you We're born with an unnatural
horror of intosication?"
cit is true" sighed Mary, but in an
instant the district attorney was on
his feet
81 objectr' he cried. That question
something that took place be-
'ore Miss Pages birth. She can-she
must in fact-know it only by hear
say"
Il must sustain your objection" said
he judge "Mr. Langdon. your ques-
ion was unfortunately worded. Can
'ou alter it -
Il think l can" said Langdon. LET
ls put It this way: What is your ear
lest recollection Of your father"'
Il object to that alsov' stormed tn"
district attorney. 1T Is not relevant
What have a child's vague recollections
o do with the action Of a woman of
fiss Pages age?"
The Judge hesitated, and Langdon. :
till smiling. said quickly:
Il withdraw my question. The wit
ess is excused
DO you wish to cross examiner
sked the judge. and the district attor :
ey, with scowl. shook his head. o.
"Are-are you through with me?" :,
asped Mary in bewilderment, and =
angdon nodded. And now. as the
,rong waited no +,r-oa - -. 49, y