Miriam testified last. Foss walked her through it in the order they'd prepared, methodical, specific, grounded in dates and facts. When Briggs cross-examined her, he went for the things she'd been expecting him to go for, which was the question of what she'd done and where she'd gone so quickly after Orson left. You arrived at Mr. Concaid's ranch within a week of your husband's departure. Briggs said, "Is that correct?
5 days after I found the note, she said. Yes, and you entered into a domestic arrangement with Mr. Concaid very quickly. I entered into a written employment agreement, she said, which I can provide. Mrs. Hensley, isn't it possible that your husband's departure, whatever its circumstances, created an opportunity for you to "Mr. Briggs? " she said.
He stopped. She looked at him the way she looked at problems she intended to solve. My husband left a note saying six children were too many mouths. He took our savings, our food, and our horse before dawn so that no one would be awake to stop him. He left seven people, including a 4-year-old and a six-year-old, with 2 weeks of supplies and no transportation in late autumn in Montana territory.
She paused. I found employment within 5 days because I had to. I had seven people to keep alive, and I found a way to do it. If you're suggesting that reflects poorly on me, I'd like to understand your reasoning. The courtroom was very quiet.
Judge Aldrich was looking at her. Briggs reconsidered his line of questioning and moved on. Foss had one more thing. He asked Miriam. Simply, "In the 6 months since your husband left, has he made any effort, any attempt at all to contact you or your children?
" "One lawyer's letter, " she said, "in March when he heard we were living comfortably. No money sent. No. No letters to the children. No.
No correspondence of any kind indicating concern for their welfare. No. Foss looked at Judge Aldrich and said he had no further questions. Judge Aldrich called a recess of 40 minutes. Miriam sat in the anteroom with her children and August and Bramwell and said very little.
Tessa sat beside her and read or pretended to read, which was Tessa's way of managing anxiety. And Henry leaned against Miriam's arm and looked at the floor. And Clara ate the biscuits August had thought to bring. And Wade and Samuel and Nell argued quietly about something that had nothing to do with any of this, which was exactly what Miriam needed from them. Bramwell sat across from her.