Evening star., 1936-02-25
CHAPTER XXXvIII.
TECLA'S STORY,

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Lenholm outlined his defense, and
1t was pitiably weak. Anne realized
how slim a chance she would have of
being found not guilty.
YEARLY she listened as the State
presented its case. Each line OF evi-
dence seemed cord, binding her to
verdict of murder in the first degree.
She returned to Jail that night.
worn in body and spirit. What chance
had she against the hatred of the men
condemning her? Perhaps it would be
better, as they had suggested, to plead
guilty and receive an intermediate
sentence.
If only John but she had
searched the court room. John wasn't
there.
Days sped along and then came the
words, The State rests"
Lenholm had little to offer save the
word of the Sorki brothers. He passed
these quickly and called Anne to the
stand. She heard the name "Nikki
Nielsen" and arose. The expanse of
rug from chair to witness stand
stretched before her as fluid as water.
Miss Nikki," prompted the attorney.
Anne caught sight of Charlotte
Farnsworth's triumphant expression,
and chin up, walked steadily to the
chair.
She looked out on the sea of faces,
noticed newspaper reporters watching
her intently, and then she saw Tecla,
little Tecla, sitting bravely in the front
row smiling, the high dimples wet with
tears.
Anne relaxed and turned to Len
holm.
Your name is Anne Farnsworth?"
he asked.
Il object" burst from the district
attorney. There is nothing to prove
this girl is other than Nikki Nielsen
as charged"
Your name please" Lenholm re-
euested.
Anne was silent.
Young lady, the Judge leaned
over, what is your name?"
"As far as know, it is Anne Farms
worth"
This is most irregular, this young
woman is charged under the name of
Nikki Nielsen. She gives her name as
Anne Farnsworth.'
Your honor" explained the district
attorney, 1--WE have used the name
Nikki Nielsen as an expedient, the
girl is nameless"
"She is not!" The words spat out
across the court room like an electric
shock. "She has the name. give the
proof"
Teela Sorki had darted to the rail-
Ing which divided the court from the
audience. Anne watched her dig deep
In the bag she held.
your honor" Lenholm was before
the bar, may ask for recess? 1t is
possible this woman, who was the
childhood nurse of the defendant, has
information vital to our case"
Five minutes" agreed the judge,
and to the jurors, You will remain
in your seats
The five minutes were scarcely
necessary. Lenholm, his face alight,
returned, excused Anne from the wit
ness chair and asked that Tecla SorN
be sworn in as witness.
Mrs. Sorki," he smiled at her reas-
suringly, "you say this girls name is
Anne Farnsworth?"
"Yes," came emphatically from
Tecla. II have proof"
Anne sat in her chair. trembling,
feeling that at least she was to hear
the one thing she longed above all else
to hear, She watched Tecla. The
woman was angry.
"And now," suggested Lenholm,
"your proof that the defendant is Anne
Farnsworth."
II tell nof," Tecla nodded content
edly." Luke Farnsworth make me
swear on the Bible never tell living
soul. I swear, but tink he forgive
me for breaking that swear"
Mrs. Sorki," the judge leaned for
ward, why did Mr.. Fransworth want
this information kept secret?
II tell everything" she promised.
HE say even to himself he must not
t'ink she is his own.
First explain how she belong to
them. My brother Orvi Nielsen-"
"Nielsen-" Anne started at the
name.
Eyes, Orvi Nielsen, he is the captain
Of boat which sails along the coast.
In Monterey, Calf, he meets a school
teacher and is married to her. Not
often does he gos there to port, so he
bring her to Crescent City, where his
ship always STOP They come one
night. Next night there is a storm.
MANY fishermen are caught and
he goes out to save them. His wife
is worried. She goes to the wharf to
wait She waits all night and becomes
very sick. When she falls, they carry
her to the hospital where the baby,
Anne, is born.
"At this hospital is Mrs. Farnworth
whose baby dies at birth. Luke Farms
worth is nearly crazy because he thinks
his wife die when she hears. Then,
my brothers wife hear her husband is
lost at sea and she dies. The nurse
thinks it would be good, for the time,
to give the little Anne to Mrs. Farms
worth.
"Mr. Farnsworth he wish to adopt
the baby, but he cannot because the
mother is dead, and he can't find her
people. The hospital people know him,
80 they let him take the baby back to
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