The Washington times., 1918-06-09


sharp exclamation. Byron wheeled about
and watched him. cold horror spreading
ovei him, as he realized what he was say
ing.
There's my wife getting out of that
taxicab." Strong. cried. startled. 81 wonder
if anything has haPpened-she is coming
in here" There was a note of fear in his
voice. "She never has come to court in
two years TO hear me try case. /"
-your-wife-"
Byron whispered the words. He half
walked, half crawled over to the window
and then turned away, afraid to look out.
Suddenly he cried out in desperation.
Great Heavens, Strong, she mustn't
come in here!"
Strong turned swiftly and pushed him
aside as he crossed to the swinging doors
to summon a court attendant, who imme-
diately went down the stairs in obedience
to a few whispered words from the lawyer.
He turned to Byron, who had fallen Imply
into a chair. He started to speak, when
the swinging doors suddenly few open and
two burly deputy sheriffs entered.
Bring in the defendant, Mr.. Strong"
said one, respectfully, to the lawyer. THE
jury has reached a verdict"
Strong spoke to Byron, who. with tre-
mendous effort, managed to stagger to his
feet, and stood swaying, supporting himself
on a chair. He put his arm about the pris-
oner's shoulders, but Byron seemed unable
to move, his head hung loosely on his
chest and his arms dangled at his sides.
Strong saw that it was useless and beck
oned to the two deputies, who instantly
lifted Byron and with no great gentleness
carried him out into the crowded court
room to face the jury, Strong following.
Hardly had the leather doors swung
closed when the door leading from the
corridor opened and Mrs. Strong. preceded
by the court attendant, entered. She was
very pale and extremely nervous as she
leaned, trembling slightly, against the
paper Uttered table She stood silent for
several moments, staring unseeipg into
the mirror over the fireplace which re-
fected in hazy picturesqueness, through
the dim light of the fire and the fast wan
ing day, her fashionably tailored figure,
the dainty, soft beauty OF the oval face,
emphasized by the glorious brown hair and
the dashing plumed hat which she wore.
''You say-the jury is out?" she ques-
toned, with apparent effort to control her
voice.
''Yes, madame" replied the attendant
ut was, when left to go down and bring
you here at Mr.. Strongs request but it
must have reached a verdict now. because
Mr.. Strong and the defendant could have
gone nowhere else"
She glanced nervously about the room.
her eyes finally resting upon the swinging
doors that opened into the courtroom. She
gazed at them apprehensively for a
moment
"Will it be very long before the verdict
is announced?" she questioned.
Not unless the verdict is guilty"
The court attendant stopped and looked
at her in sudden alarm as she shrank
back and gave a sharp little cry. Instant
ly she recovered herself and looked at him
questioningly.
"What-what do you think the verdict
is going TO be?" she asked eagerly. yet
fearful Of the answer
IT'S hard TO tell" the court officer re-
piled. "The District Attorney had all the
evidence so that there was no doubling IT,
but Mr.. Strong has made a remarkable de
fense, one of the best ever made in these
courts. everybody says. The betting is
that il will be a disagreement
DO you mean to say that people are
betting on Mr.. Byr-the prisoners Iife?"
she interrupted quickly, an angry flush
mantling her cheeks.
Her informant looked a trine embar-
rassed at the anger OF her tone. and his
explanation was made with some hesita-
ton.
People don't look at It in that personal
manner, Mrs. Strong. It's a battle OF wits
between two of the best lawyers in the
city. It's the legal issue that appeals to
every one"
She accepted his explanation wrathfIlly
and walked up to the swinging doors. then
hesitated and faced the court attendant
again.
T-I-haven't been reading the papers"
she faltered; "what-was the defense Mr..
Strong made?'
The officer seemed surprised al the ques-
tiOn. but concealed it and answered
promptly.
THE defense contended that Mr.. Byron
killed his butler by mistake. thinking
he was a burglar II is considered
clever defense. because the one weak spot
in the prosecution was the lack OF a mo-
five for the shooting, other than an acci-
dent But" he paused doubtfully
But what?" she questioned anXiOusIy.
The District Attorney tried 10 make
that more condemning. He inrimated that
the cause for the shooting of the servant