The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1919-01-30
VII.
TIE INQUEST.

listeners drawn hither by sympa
thy, interest or curiosity. Ano
each class found ample to satisf.
its motive. The mere fact of be.
ing within that exclusive home
within those heretofore %inacessi-
BILE doors, was enough to thrill
and delight many, and observa.
ton and scrutiny were as well re-
paid as was the listening to fhe
astounding revelations that were
poured into their ears.
Coroner Scofield's jury was
composed of intelligent men, who
were eagerly receptive to 'he APP
palling facts narrated to them and
the curiously bizarre bits of evil
dence that became known as the
witnesses were questioned.
DR.. Stanton told of his being
called to the house, and his dis
~coveries and conclusions. He all
mitted that he assumed death was
caused by the blow on the head,
but claimed it was a parlonabla
error in view of the fact that
such a blow had been given. lie
affirmed, and DR.. 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 o o thereafter. The
terrible blow that had fractured
the skull had been given after life
had been for some time extinct.
DIR. Stanton asserted emphatic
ally his late patient detestation
of drugs or medicines of any sort,
addueing thereby the extreme i'm
probability of the poison having
been self administered. More
over, the temperament and disp,-
sition of the late Miss Darlington
entirely eyinced a love of life and
desire to prolong it by means Df
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, its collar
of sheer white organdy slightly
open at the throat, well suited her
pale, beautiful face and her dark
hair and eyes. Today her eyes
seemed fathomless. AT times, gaz-
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
9 satisfactory witness. She told,
in q most straightforward way, Of
leaving the breakfast table to 20
to her aunt room and of finding
there the dead body. She told
clearly all the circumstances Of
the upset tray, the spilled powder
and the eccentric garb of Miss
Darlington herself. But questions
as to her opinion Of these facts
brought little response.
You left Miss Darlington at
y :3O?" asked Coroner Scofield.
Net SO late, I think, returned
Pauline probably at Is or 20
minutes past 12-I am not sure =
How was she then dressedf,
IN the gown she had worn dur
ing the evening.
And her jewelsa'
When left my aunt she was
wearing her pearls and the other
jeWelry she had worn with her
evening dress. Some broochee and
rings and bracelets:
Bnt not SO much as she had
on When yon discovered her insthe
mornirgf
Not nearly SO much.
ft0W do You account FOL
this
don't account for it. 10 IN.
- is exceedingly mysterious.a
And the paper snake around
her neckfn
have no idea by whom sucl
thing could lave been broughl
TO my aunt. But I am positiv,
she never put it on herself. No
can think she would allow il t.
come near her il she were alive
OF consciouS-or had power Il
scream for help. Amy one know
ing my aunta fear AMI horror q
anything Eeptilian VII agrce {
Hin.
acenss eyiden se III
eoroner ttoushtfully That som