The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1919-01-30
VII.
THE INQUEST.

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-
BILE doors, was enough to thrill
and delight many, and observa-
ton and scrutiny were as well re-
paid as was the listening to the
astounding revelations that were
poured into their ears.
Coroner Scofield's jury was
composed of intelligent Een, who
were eagerly receptive to he APP
palling facts narrated to them and
the curiously bizarre bits OF evi-
dence that became known as the
witnesses were questioned.
DIR. Stanton told Of his being
called to the house, and his dis
coveries and conclusions. He att
mitted that he assumed death was
caused by the blow on the head,
but claimed it was a pardonabln
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
hat death, was caused by acont-
tine poison. administered either
by the deceased or another at an
hour not earlier than 1 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 patients detestation
of drugs or medicines of any sort,
adducing 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 evinced = 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, 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
a satisfactory witness. She told,
in amost straightforward way, Of
leaving the breakfast table to go
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
II :30?" asked Coroner Scofield.
mot so late, l think returned
Pauline; probably at Is or 20
minutes past 12-I am not sure
"How was she then dressedY"
Gin the gown she had worn dur
ing the evening""
"And her jewels2"
f'When / left my aunt she was
wearing her pearls and the other
jewelry she had worn with her
evening dress. SOME brooches and
rings and bracelets.
but not so much as she had
on when you discovered her In the
morniGg?''.
"Not nearly so much
"How do you account for
this2"
Il don't account for it. To me
it is exceedingly mysterious"
And the paper snake around
her neckg"
Il have no idea by whom such
a thing could have been brought
to my aunt. But | am positive
she never put it on herself. Nor
can / think she would allow it tC
come. near her if she were alive
or conscious-or had power tc
scream for help. Any one know.
ing my aunt's fear AMI horror ol
anything reptilian will agree tc
this"
cit seems evident said the
coroner thoughtfully, that some