Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1922-11-09
CHAPTER XxI-Continued.

Payne glanced at the jury. Their eyes
were riveted on Kitty's face. He knew
that he had scored. A disagreement
even an acquittal-if all went we'll.
''Thank you," he said quietly.
The crown attorney, who had been
whispering with Bowyer, came for
ward to cross-examine.
"You told us, Mrs. Bostock," he said
In his suavest tones, that you loved,
and still love, the defendant. How
long have you loved him."
Ever since l first saw him." whis-
pered Kitty.
"How soon after your marriage did
you make his acquaintance"
II saw him first on my marriage
day, at the church. He was my hus-
bands best man"
A stir among the spectators. Payne
clenched his fists and groaned Every
one saw what was coming-everyon
but Kitty.
"Then you were in love with him
before you married Mr.. Bostock? Not
long before-let us say half an hour?
You married a man whom you had
ceased to love for half an hour"
II did not realize it then"
"But you realized it soon after?
You were not heartbrOken when Mr..
Bostock died?"
81 cared for Joe. I admired ard re-
spected him."
But not in the same way? You
couldn't love two men in that way at
the same time?"
NO" said Kitty TREMENDOUSLY.
''In fact, after the first shock was
over, you felt that life might become
worth living again?"
81 don't know what you mean" cried
Kitty desperately.
"The court WILL" said the attorney,
with q meaning glance toward the
jury. Don't let me perplex you. Now
please answer me carefully. You per-
suaded the defendant to let you build
and occupy a cottage on Big Muskeg,
close to his own, and hidden from the
sight of the camp?"
''He tried to stop me. I've said that
already"
at has duly impressed us, Mrs. Bos-
took. However, in the end he yielded?'
''He yielded because he thought that
was only interested in the work. He
cared for Miss Mcdonald. He never
dreamed l cared, until told him."
$50 you told him! What did he
say?"
ut cut him to the heart"
Only thread divided the tense
drama of the colloQuy from mex
tinguishable pathos. The attorney
snapped in:
'In fact, you found him a regular
Joseph in his relations with your"
And the whole court was dissolved
In laughter. Even the judge placed
his hand across his mouth.
"Then will you tell me how you
two came to be seen kissing and en-
bracing one evening on the shores of
Big Muskeg? But 1 won't press that
question. We shall have further evil
dence to offer"
The mischief was done. The net
that had been woven about Wilton
could not be broken by the hypothesis
of conspiracy. Kitty's confession of
her love supplied a stronger argument
against him, and threw the dark
shadow of collision about her, too. Me-
chemically Payne called the next wit
ness.
But before he could take the stand
there came sounds of an uproar in the
street. There was struggle at the
entrance. Then, to the amazement of
all, Molly stood in the doorway.
Jim Belts was with her, and to-
gether they supported the frail form
Of Mcdonald
Unhindered, they went down the
courtroom, while the spectators gaped,
and suddenly, standing up in their
places, gave rOusing, riotous cheers,
unhindered and unrebuked.
Despite the general belief in Will
toms guilt, stories concerning Bowyer's
presence at the camp on the night of
the fire had been widely bruited.
The party were still advancing when
Bowyer loosed himself in one of his
paroxysmal RACES.
Put them out of here" he bawled.
ats a trick-a staged trick to win
sympathy for that mani"
"Be SILENT" Numbered the Judge
and then he turned to Payne, who
was at his side, speaking in a low
voice.
"The court will adjourn for half an
hour" he ordered. And no person
will leave this courtroom in that inter
sal"
Molly, with little cry, ran to the
dock and flung herself into Wilton's
arms. And at this the building rang
again with the spectators cheers. 1t
was not for a full minute that the
guard drew her away
CHAPTER XXI
The Amazing Truth.
Donald Mcdonald to the witness