The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1916-05-26

mans throat faded into a stilled sob
One of the jurets blew his nose loud
ly, and . or three exchanged sig
nifcant g.unces. and Larw%don, the
sweat beginning to bead h!S 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 smilingiy
to the judge and said, with an ora
torical flourish:
Your honor. the state restsT
The last stone in that brutal galloWs
of evidence had been cemented into
place.
Four excited and self important Of
fee boys scuftled out Of the room bear
ing sheets on which was scraWled:
State rests it's case after evidence
of Detective Farley" And through
the open door as they went came q
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, lit
ing her tear stained face, she smiled
rainbow wise at Langdon. as If she
would have said: Now is our chance.
Now we will tear down this awful
temple of doom that has been built
for mer'
Langdon drew a deep breath, flung
] back his shoulders as if breasting
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 miserable beast
She remembers only fash|ike
dream-of his leering face, and then
blackness swept over her. Gentlemen,
it 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 a moment OF insanity
superinduced by the horror Of intoXlca-
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 int sudden bab-
BILE, in which the word insane" bob
bed like a cork on a sea Of runaof, and
not even the judges gavel could secure
silence for several mements. In chat
| time the coler erept back int Mary's
cheeks, and somehow she felt deep In
her heart that the tide Of feeling at
least was tnrned again Ia her diree-
| ton.
The district attorney was frewnins
and whispering 10 his assistant, who
! nodded from time to time as be herv-
ously fingered the pile eS papers in
| front of him, but now Langdon was
speaking again:
"It 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 fntoxication
has played, a 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
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 a strong prenatal infu,
ence you were born with an unnatural
horror of intoXication?"
"It 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 by hear
say"
81 must sustain your objection" said
the judge. "Mr. Langdon. your ques-
ton was unfortunately. worded. Can
you alter it,
81 think 1 can" said Langdon. LET
us put it this way: What is your ear
lest recollection of your father?"
81 object to that also!" stormed the
district attorney. ''It is not relevant.
What have child's vague recollections
to do with the action Of woman of
Miss Pages age"
The judge hesitated, and Langdon,
still smiling, said quickly:
81 withdraw my question. The wit
ness is excused
do you wish to cross examine?"
asked the judge, and the district attor-
ney, with a scowl. shook his head.
"Are-are you through with me?'
gasped Mary in bewildcrment, and
|