Witch Hazel; or, The Secret of the Locket — page 299: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

derstand that It must be proved, nnd thnt you must be sworn before it can be received as evidence.” Sig honor, I am ready to be sworn,” she quietly replied. he offiger was called, and the oath administered; then she was requestett to step into the witness-box, whieh she did with an air of contidence and com- posure which impressed every one. “Now, lWwadaim, we ure ready for the proof of what ie have atated,” suid the judge, settling himself to isten, “May I be allowed to ask a singls question first!” “Certainly.” “How was Mrs. Stewart enabled to identify this necklace as hers? Was there any private mark upon it by which she could do so¥" The judge turned to the attorney for the prosecu- tion, indicating that he was fo explain, “No,” he replied, with some ourtiess, there is no Toark upon if, as the wituess must have observed for herself, aince she has examined it so carefully.” “T lave never seen Mrs. Stewart's necklace,’ com- posedly replied the witness, “You have it in your hails,” retorted the attorney, determined to stick to Lis point, oThe gentleman is mistuiien, your honor,” was the polite rejoinder. *T again ntfirm that this necklace 18 miine; and, furthermore, that it is marked in a end that cannot be questioned.” “Your honor, this is all folly; there is no mark upon the trinket; it ling been most carefully exam- Thad again and again,” reiternted the attorney, tlush- ing angrily. “Let the witners prove to the con eaid the judge, uuthoritntively. The lady smiled sizntly, busied with one of the Jinks of the necklace, and then passed it “ae the judge. As he took {the saw that the under portion of the link wag attached to the crown by a hinge, and trary, if she ean.” lerself a moment opeued with o secret spring concea the stones, tiny likeness of a little ohild’s fiwe, Waa engraven @ nine and adute, ‘he was convinced of the truth of vefore le uttered a word, 20d a si On tho slle uext the ¢ The countenance of the judge ah ed beneath one of Town there was a on the other there owed plainly that the witness’ cliatin euce that wus ub- aolutely painful pervaded the room, while every eye was Hxed, as if fascinated, upon him—every heiirt stood sti}l with suspense, wiithny for contirmition. The man urose, holding the vontested treasure in hia hand, whilethe ightflashedin a thousand glenmms of gorgeous hues from the precious stones, as if in trinmph over the victory of truth, “Ttvs marked," le snid, iu a clear, sonorous voice that thrilled every etx aud heart, “The proof is mb- solute, for Lend bere » name and a date—’EMELIE GERARD, June Ist, 1806." eonichoals.com