The Washington herald., 1917-11-27

band. John Longer De Saulles. be-
fore she slew him on the night of
August 3. formed one of the most
tragic and dramatic scenes ever en-
acted in a courtroom.
A slender and beautiful little Chill
can. who IS fighting for her life
against a charge of murder, held
the roomful of spectators breath
less.
Woman Sobs.
During pause which seemed In
terminable. the witness appeared
ather to be nerying herself to re-
spond to a question asked by JUS
tice Manning or to be striving to
1ecollect some fact which eluded
her memory.
The stiffness was broken only by
the sob of a woman. When the
answer finally came from lips
which appeared entirely bloodless,
no anti-climax ensued.
Had she been speaking a part
written by the foremost dramatist
in the world no effect more per-
feet could have been achieved.
Mr.. De Saulles said to me: You
caEiot have him QittIe Jack). You
can never have him." said Mrs. De
SaGiles. Il saw a look come on his
face-I was stunned-I had frightful
pain in my head
She paused and Justice Manning
asked, kindly. Take all the time you
need. What happened next?"
StIII Hearing Those Words.
Another long pause ensued. during
which Mrs. De Saulles appeared to be
bridging the months intervening be-
tween August and today. Then. still
gazing straight ahead with unseeing
eyes, she said:
Il still seem to be hearing those
words
There was i murnrur as the audi
ence. which had expected a descrip-
tion of the shooting, understood the
tragedy revealed by the witness
words.
What is your next recollection"
asked the judge, still employing the
same kindly tone.
Mrs. De SauIles glanced at him, then
around the room and appeared to
recoIlect with a start where she was.
II don't seem to recollect anything
more" she whispered.
Please tell the jury what your next
definite recollection is-the first thing
YOU remember after hearing Mr.. De
Saulles' last Words she was
prompted.
During an appreciable period of
time she said nothing. Everyone in
the room sat with bated breath.
Then slowly. hesitatingly. she said:
L heard DIR. Wright speaking"
She made no answer when the court
asked whether DR.. Wright spoke to
her tina: night or the following day.
He asked where she was when she
heard DIR. Wright speak.
Il think it must have been in the
iail," she responded listlessIy.
You may retire now" said Justice
Manning She turned to him. a wan
smile playing momentarily upon her
white lips.
Her Lawyer in Tears.
May I go now" she asked, CIV
ing the impression Of a child asking
a favor. She rose, tottered an in
slant. recovered her poise and start
ed toward the door, She was half
supported as she walked back of the
jurors, some of whom were swallow
ing hard and blinking, and passed
from the room.
Mrs De Saulles went Immediately
to bed when she reached the apart
ments of Sheriff and Mrs. Phineas
Seaman in the Jail. Tomorrow she
must undergo cross-examination by
District Attorney Weeks. She will
require all the strength she can get
for the examination which Weeks has
declared will be unsparing. Then she
may have to undergo further Ques-
tIOning under redirect examination,
for Henry A. Uterhart. her attorney.
did not make the tactical error of
detracting from the dramatic unity
of her recital after its climax had
been reached
He asked her no questions as to
why she carried a revolver when she
went to THE Box" That will doubt
less be remedied later. Uterhart wept
frankly and openly. without pretense
and likewise without ostentatfon
while Mrs. De NSaulles was trying
to respond to the questions of the
court. Many another handkerchief
was quietly used in the room. But
no tears came to the large, dark, sad
eyes of the defendant to relieve the
nervous strain under which she Ia
bored
Mrs. De Saulles' fight for life is no
ordinary tight. For life itself she
cares less than nothing. This she made
very clear on the stand today. The
slow. relentless tragedy enacted in the
crushing of her love by the man she
first divorced and then slew left her
nothing to live for in herself. She has
ene interest only in life. her little son
Jack. and for him she is willing to
light to the end. that she may possess
him wholly. as she never possessed
CONTINUED on PAGE TWO.