The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1919-02-13

coroncr's not very alert mind that
perhaps the volatile widow had
her own plans for the Counts fu-
ture, and Miss Darlington did not
figure in them. The manner Of
the witness bore out this theory.
She was self conscious and at
times confused. She frequently
looked at the Count and then
quickly averted her gaze. She
blushed and stammered when
speaking his name or referring to
him. In a word, she acted as a
woman might act in regard to a
man of whom she was jealous.
And the situation bore it out. IL
Mrs. rockingham had matrimo-
NAL designs on her distinguished
guest, would she not naturally re-
sent his visits to a rich neighbour
Mrs. rockingham was not rich,
and she may well have been
afraid of Miss Darlington s charm
of gold, which could cause many
a man to overlook anything else
that might be lacking.
Coroner Scofield was getting
more and more tangled in the
mazes Of this extraordinary case,
He was practically at his wits
end. At last he blurted out: "It
is impossible, it seems, to get a
coherent, or even plausible, story
from a woman! Is there any man
present who knows any of the de-
tails of the happenings of Tues
day evening and night2"
There was a moments silence at
this rather petulant speech, and
then Stephen Illsley rose, and,
speaking very gravely, said:
at SENS to be my unpleasant
duty to tell what little / know of
these matters" "a
The relieved coroner heard this
with satisfaction. Accepting his
good fortune, he prepared to listen
to Illsley's testimony.
81 was spending the evening
here" the witness began, land
during my visit / was in the var
ious rooms. AT a late hour, per-
haps something after il, I was
crossing the hall, and l saw Miss
rockingham on the stairway"
CON the stairway" exclaimed
the coroner in amazement.
eyes" returned Illsley, his
grave eyes resting on the face of
the widow, who stared at him as
if stricken dumb. eyes, | saw her
distinctly. She was evidently COM
ing downstairs, one hand rested
on the banister, and she was look
ing upward at the ceiling"
"Did she see you2" t#la
'I think not. If so, she made
no sign. But she was not looking
my way, and l went on into the
reception room, where / was GO
ing in search Of a scarf Miss Stu
art had left there. When / re-
crossed the hall the lady had dis
appeared" f
"Did not this seem to you a
strange circumstance"
II had no right to any opinion
on the subject. 1t was not my
affair what guests were at the
house I was visiting, or what they
might be doing"
"But Mrs. rockingham as
serts she was not an acquaintance
of Miss Darlington.
81 did not know that, then ;
and, even so, it gave me no right
to speculate concerning the lady's
presence there. MOI should / refer
to it now except that in view Of
the subsequent tragedy it is due
to every principle Of right and
justice that all truths be known as
to that evening. Mrs. Frothing-
ham will, of course, recall the cpl
sode and doubtless explain it."
81 should like to hear the ex-
PLANTATION! said Pauline, with
flashing eyes. GAS mistress here
now I am interested to know why
a stranger should wander about
this house at will"
Mrs. rockingham sat silent.
Her face showed not so much con-
sternation or ,dismay as a cold,
calculating expression, as if de-
batting just what explanation she
! should offer.
AT last she spoke. ~ may as
we'll own up" she said, and
laughed nervously. 81 was on the
veranda, as the vigilant butler
noticed. / did step inside the hall,
as / had so often heard Of the rare
tapestries and paintings, and, in
my ennui, l thought it no harm to
take a peep. The great door was
ajar, and / was a little chilled by
my. walk across the lawns. l said
to myself IF l meet any one l