Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1919-01-30
III.
THE INQUEST.

NSAt uofIlIlS Illc inquest was
proceeding. The great living room
at Garden Steps was crowded with
listeners drawn hither by sympa-
thy, interest or curiosity. And
each class found ample to satisfy
its motive. The mere fact of be-
ing within that exclusive home,
within those heretofore inacessi-
bic doors, was enough to thrill
and delight many, and obscrya-
ton and scrutiny were as we'll re-
paid as was the listening to 'he
astounding revelations that were
poured into their ears.
Coroner Scofield's jury was
composed of intelligent men, who
were eagerly receptive to '!l- ap-
pailing facts narrated to them and
the curiously bizarre bits OF evi-
dcnce that became known as the
witnesses were questioned.
Dr. Stanton told of his being
called to the house, and his dis
eovcries and conclusions. He al
Mitted that he assumed dealA was
caused by the blow ON the head,
but claimed it was a parlonablc
error in view of the fact that
such u blow had been given. 'Je
affirmed, and DIR. Moore corrol-
Grated it that the autopsy showed
that death was caused by aconi-
tine poison, administered either
BY the deceased or another at an
hour not earlier than l O'Clock,
and probably soon thereafter. The
terrible blow that had fractured
the skull had been given after life
had been for some time extinct.
Dr. Stanton asserted emphatic
ally his late patient detestation
Of drugs br medicines Of any sort,
adducing thereby the extreme i'm
probability Of the poison having
been self administered. More
over, the temperament and dispo-
sition Of the late Miss Darlington
entirely evinced a love Of life and
desire TO prolong it by means of
any device or assistance the doc
tor might give.
Pauline was called next, and a
little flutter of excitement in the
audience greeted her appearance.
Exceedingly dignified, but of a
sweet, gracious mien, she at once
received the silent approval of the
crowd. Her black gown, it's collar
OF sheer white organdy slightly
open at the throat, we'll suited her
pale, beautiful face and her dark
hair and eyes. Today her eyes
seemed fathomless. At times. eaz-
ing intently at the coroner until
they almost disconnected him and
then, hidden by yelling lids, whose
long lashes fell suddenly as if to
conceal further disclosures.
. On the whole Pauline was not
q satisfactory witness. She told.
IN q most straightforward way. Of
leaving sthe breakfast table to 90
to her aunt 8 room and of findinr
there the dead body. She told
clearly al the circumstances of
the upset tray, the spilled powder
aud the eccentric garb Of Miss
harrington herself. But questions
8 to her opinion of these facts
brought little response. !
lyon leff Misc
l2:SOi' asked Coroner Scofield.
Not 50 late, I think, ;. returned
Pauline; probably at Is or 20
minutes past 12-I am not sure.n'
How was she then dressedf,,i
In tie gown she had worn dur
ing the evening"
And her jewels1"
When I left my aunt she was
wearing her pearls and the other
jewelry she had worn with her
evening dress. Some brooches and
rings &nd bracelets.n
But not so much q she had
enwhenyou discovered her In the
,morningi s,s
tlNgpt nearly no much..w
How DC You account for
! isdost account ior 4. IL ne9
exsSedi1ely mylteriesas.n
~ Ascki
81 havssno idea BY whom such