Evening star., 1926-11-23

in august OF this year-forgetful OF
the sworn affidavit made in Septem-
Der OF this year-mindful only of that
night four years ago-September IA,
1922. at about 10 o'clock.
Under Simpsons persistent badger
ing-wasn't It Wednesday? Friday?
Didn't you say 1t was the 19th?-Art
thrust out an obstinate chin. 1t was
the night OF the murder, ne says, with
f1nalitX< Most accommodating Of
bluef1sh; never mind about such trif1es
as days or dates-you were caught
the night of the murder
Art Applegate. the serene-eyed, the
quiet voiced, the rlrm-lipped. was hard
put to 1t before that half hour on the
stand was over He contradicted him.
self. stumbled, lifted unsteady fingers
IS though to control his lips that were
playing him false after all these years,
and climbed down from the box at
Simpsons crisp That's ALI; headed
for an even worse half hour than he
had just escaped. Even Henry Ste
vens' brisk, friendly, reassuring nod
and smile met with meager response;
II We know Maize Applegate-and we
do know Maize Applegate-Art, swing
ing uneasily around the corner, his
splendid stride still unimpaired. was
headed straight for trouble.
business in Philadelphia, took the
stand-a ruddy, stocky, substantial
looking citizen, with a close-clipped
reddish mustache, small, bright eye,
and fountain pen much in evidence.
On September IA. 1922, Henry Ste
vens' guardian angel, who was having
busy day, evidently took personal
charge of him. Mr.. Piard was far
from well; in fact, he was due for an
operation on the next day or so, and
was suffering considerable pain. We
learned all too much about his all
ment during his brief sojourn-and
we also learned that Henry Stevens
guardian angel was ruthless. :
Arrival i'm Lavellette.
Sick or WELL he wanted Mr.. Piard
in Lavellette that night, and there,
he was. He was not
even allowed to go to bed at 10
o'clock. 1t was imperative that he
should be one out on the beach. At
10 o'clock, therefore. he indulged in
a somewhat crippled constitutional on
the boardwalk, and who. do you think
he saw? OF all people, Henry
Stevens! The guardian angel should
have been gratified
One more tryst and then the suffer
ing Mr.. Piard could have his opera
ton: just five minutes the following
morning around would suffice. At
minutes past on Friday. the
18TH. therefore. the guardian
angel escorted both Mr.. Stevens and
Mr.. Piard to the railway station. The
date was inevitably fixed in Mr..
Piard's mind, as he was reduced to
such a state by this time that he
was making a will. He chose the
railway station to make it in. but
glanced up long enough to get a
good, square, satisfying look at Henry
Stevens. The guardian angel there
upon promptly relinquished him and
sped him on his way to Philadelphia.
1t Is gratifying to note that the will
was premature.
The guardian angel sped elsewhere.
He was about ready to relax a little. |
Last night had been fairly strenuous.
He had not contented himself with a |
paltry nine or ten alibi witnesses |
Ten O'Clock was all very well, but |
1890 was better. At 1890, therefore. |
Mr.. Stevens was escorted to the Will |
son household. Mrs. Wilson took the !
stand to tell all about 1t.
A small, gentle person in a green |
jersey dress, a blue coat heavily trim
med with gray fur and large silk and
velvet hat, with an enormous crown,
almost eclipsing the colorless little |
face with it's straying wisps of gray |
hair. Her small, we'll bred voice was |
almost inaudible. but in two minutes |
We knew this lady to be lady, in |
spite OF the eXtinguiShing hat, and in |
five minutes more we knew more |
about Henry Stevens neighbor than |
we frequently know about our own.
Her two daughters went to Mount
t1olyoke, she reads the New York Her
has a black spaniel, goes
to the Chauve Souris-at 1920 on the
evening OF September IA she saw
Henry Stevens.
Her daughter Elaine followed her.
1t seems almost inevitable that Mrs.
Wilson would have a daughter called
Elaine. She made as good a witness
as her mother, and far smarterlook-
Ing one. The clear, fresh pallor of |
her skin was quite guiltless of even |
| trace Of makeup, her mouth was the
pink, her eyes, slightly slant
ing, were black-so were her level |
brows and the wing Of hair dipping !
across her brow. Her small, close
dark blue hat and simple blue frock,
her copper-colored velveteen coat,
with its deep bands Of dark brown fur,
looked as though they might have
come off one of Vogue's more con-
covers. She has inherited
her mothers pretty, low voice, her
pretty. pinched smile and her look Of
cold dislike for Senator Simpson. She
also saw Henry Stevens at 1890 on
september IA.
Alice, the sister who followed her.