The Washington times., 1937-11-09

Lawton was whispering in Ka,
ren's ear: Damn it. Karen. Do
you think I can work miracles? ?
Do you want to go back to jail?"
"It's all right, Jimmie, I'm not
afraid"
But 1 am! I only happen to be
your lawyer!"
Then Karen was called to take
the stand. AS she settled herself
she looked very young and little
afraid of all those avid eyes. She
could see the Mariettos sitting in
the front row. Lucia was whisper.
ing to her father. One of her lit.
tie brothers was asleep, leaning
against his sister. How poorly
they were dressed!
THAT will be all changed"
Karen thought as she surveyed
them.
Karen's appearance was a bomb,
shell in the courtroom. The Dis
trict Attorney had promised it
The crowds had come to see, but
had not been sure Watkins could
keep his promise.
Marietta himself was slumped
on the hard bench, hardly seemed
to realize what was going on. He
held his youngest daughter on his
lap.
Watkins began his questioning
His voice was crisp and harsh
He wanted the world to know hi
was not afraid of the Mallories
He wanted to assure everybody
that Karen Mallory's blond beauty
did not affect him in the least in
the pursuit of his duty.
He pressed his questions hard
Why had she run away? Why had
she come back? Who had ad
viSed her to come back?
Karen answered simply and di
rectly. IT did not know two women
had been killed. When I found
out, I came back Immediately.
did not know about-the chill
dren-"
Tears streamed down Karen's
cheeks. Genuine tears. Watkins
intimated she was acting, trying
to create an effect upon the jury
But Karen herself was the beSt
answer to his questions. Nobody
watching her mobile face coulc
doubt but that she was sincere
Her genuine tears, her real suffer
ing, were moving, indeed.
Lawton, sitting at the counSe
table, covered his face with his
hand lest watkins should see the
triumph in his eyes. LaWton coulc
have Rugged Karen. She was su
perb. Many of the women in court
we're crying openly. Lucia Mariet
to sobbed openly.
THE VERDICT
Then suddenly is was over
Karen stepped down from the wit
ness stand and her knees were
weak. Lawton was there to take
her arm, lead her to a chair. The
jury was out five minutes.
Everybody anticipated what the
verdict would be: The women had
met their death by an automobile
driven by one Charles Webber, de
ceased. 1t was over.
Karen had parried we'll all Wat
kins' questions about her trip
down from Malone. She had come
on the bus, she said. He had not
asked her about the bus station
He had been too intent on the &C
cident.
AS Lawton and Karen turned to
leave the courtroom, Ping came
fighting his way through the
crowd. Lets get out of here,
Karen" he said, grabbing her arm
They made a dash for it down
long steps to his car parked at
the curb. Ping shifted gears and
left the crowd behind.
Karen leaned back and took off
her hat. The cold air felt good
She glanced sideways at Pings
grim face. Poor Ping! Karen had
almost forgotten he existed.
Where have you been?" he de
manded as he drove. We've been
half nuts for the last "a hours.
You certainly are tough on a fel,
lows nerves"
She could think Of nothing to
say. He glanced at her.
you look terrible! Lucy's in a
stew. I wish you'd gone through
what I have. Mothers on the
warpath. Karen. She won't stand
much more"
I'm sorry. Ping" Her voice was
sincere. She meant what she said,
but she could think of nothing
more comforting to offer.
That helps! The gangs been
telephoning until we've been crazy
You can imagine mother"
Eyes, 1 can imagine" Karen
shut her eyes, She wished Ping