The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1916-07-25


torturing Mary herself upon the wit
ness-stand to prove the truth Of the
statements Of the alienist.
Halfway to his seat, however, he was
arrested by long, low wailing scream
that echoed and throbbed through the
stone walled corridor.
Twice it came-the horrible scream
Of woman in mortal agony or in the
throes of delirium. The Judge-halted
midway as he was leaving court
stood as if frozen, and even the prose-
cutor dropped the papers that he held
and stared Mortified at the door to the
prison, which was suddenly flung vio-
lently open, revealing Mary struggling
in the grasp of the bailiff. Her face
was livid, her eyes wide and her hands
were clutching, clawing and beating at
the stronger ones that held her. Then
again she screamed and wrenching
loose, took two or three lurching steps
forward. painting like one whose breath
is almost spent.
With hoarse roar Of excited horror
the spectators sprang to their feet and
surged forward; but Langdon was
quicker than they, and in three strides
was beside her. his arms around her,
calling her name with poignant agony
that filed the courtroom and echoed
for days in the memory Of those who
heard it.
It even pierced the mists Of delirium
in which Mary's tortured soul was
sunk, and for moment she lay quiet,
supine, In his arms, moaning softly.
In the instant silence which fell over
the room, two voices in the corridor
rose with unexpected shrillness.
II didn't mean no harmT cried one
hotly. II saw the lady was faint like
and thought bit of liquor would pull
her round. That's all. so help me
Gawd, and the minute puts the bot
tie in front of her-it-it happened"
With sudden harshness his honor,
stepping back to the bench, said:
Bring in those men from the hall.
And let everyone in the room be seat
ed Immediately" +
Awed by his tone, the spectators
skunk back, while two Of the court Of
fcers hurried into the hall, returning
with a pair of sheepish policemen, one
Of whom was hastily thrusting bottle
Of whiskey into his breast pocket
At the sight Langdon gave cry Of
triumph.
"Your honor-that man has a bottle
Of whiskey. What is more-he is
his presence in the corri-
dor through which the defendant had
to pass, explains-her condition. That,
your honor. and gentlemen Of the jury.
IS surely proof enough Of the truth Of
he statements made by DR.. Fosterr'
The judge, obviously impressed:
crowned down at the policeman, whose
1ushed and unsteady gait made his
condition impossible to disguise.
Were you in the corridor when the
prisoner was led from court?" he asked
ternly.
"Yesh, your honor" stammered tha
policeman.
Did you speak to her?'
"Yesh shir. I-I-seen she wuZ faint
Ike, and says, says l, nip will do
er good. So 1 jhush-offered her a bit,
nd she screams and flies at me like
viz cat"
AS if to Illustrate his words he went
owards Mary and gestured as if again
fering her the bottle, and instantly
hat wailing cry rang out again, and.
desperately. Mary twisted
erself in the grip Of the kindly hands
hat held her. The grasp Of one bailif
7as indeed too kindly. being no more
han hold upon the thin silk Of her
louse, and as she twisted the stuff
ave way and tore-leaving the white
ess Of her shoulder exposed. At the
ight the prosecutor suddenly gave
oarse cry and pointed at it. For there
gainst the pale satiny tint Of the skin
~ bideous bruise-,the shadow Of a
lan's hand. with livid scars where the
ails cut cruelty into the delicate flesh.
ITO be contjnued.1