The Glasgow courier., 1916-03-03
The Strange
Case of
Mary Page
Confined from Page Threej


and leaned forward In their seats. ana
onlookers broke out into sudden bab-
ble. in which the word ''insane" bob
bed 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 crcpt 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-
tion.
The district attorney was frowninS
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, a horror that has entan-
gled her in this mesh Of tragedy. l
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 strovc 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 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 inhu
ence you were born with an unnatural
horror of intOXication?"
1T 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 l., hear
say"
II must sustain your objection" said
the judge. AR Langdon. your ques
tion was unfortunately wOrleu Can
you alter itY"
Il think can" said Langdon. let
us put it this way: What is your car
liest recollection of your father"
II object to that also!" stormcd the
district attorney. ut is not relevant
What have a child's vague rerollcctions
to do with the action of a woman of
Miss Pages agc?"
The judge hesitated. and LanSdon.
still smiling. said quickly:
II withdraw my question. The wit
ness is excused"
"Do you wish to cross examiner"
asked the judge and the district attor-
hey, with a ScoWl. shook his head
"Are-are you through with meY'
Saspcd Mary in bewiiderment. and
I.angdon 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 the
door bearing aapping sheets covered
with scra w!cd dis ionted words. and the
Onlookers, VITO had so far considered
Mrs. Page as merely II prop" bit OF
the setting in this gripping tragedy.
now scrambled up on to their seats to
gapc at her. In vain the judge ,hun,
dered with his gavel. and In vain the
police showed back the spectators and
even thrust one or two belligercnt ones
out into the corridor. where they were
welcomed with roar from the wait,
I'M AZ
curiosity had been sated.
Mrs Page. how long ago was it that
you met your husband. Daniel Pager
"Thirty-one years ago at Christmas y
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 uot?" The question and
the answer were equally quiet.
Yes"
But you were not married for some
time:'
No" The gentle Old voice shook
now, and Il faint flush crept iutO the
thin cheeks
"Whyy" The question snapped sharp.
-ly, but her answer was long in comm:
BECAUSE" sue said at last, Il found
that Dan drauk. aud IL said l would
not marry u man likc-like that"
But you did later on"
'Yes," sue continued tie promised
me that he would stop, and | believed
God knows il woman always believes
that-from Il man."
please make only direct answers t.
the questions" broke in the judge
sterniy. But some woman in the bacl
Of the room said aloud:
That's the truth she's speaking. lie
her say it."
"Silence!" commanded the judge
And now Languon said:
Twill you tell us as conciscly as pos
slble of what happened after your mar
riage?"
For a long time it seemed as if sh
could not 20 Oh. and Mary leaned to