784 - The Woman In The Green Dress

CBS Radio - Air Date - 09 - 09 - 1977 -

Episode Transcript

(00:02):
A journey into the round of thestrain and Telli by. I hope you
will enjoy the trip, that itwill trill you a little and kill you
a little. So settle back,get a good grip on your nerve.
Where are we going? You'll findout when we get there. BBS Radio

(00:32):
Mystery Theater Presents come in. Welcome. I'm E. G. Marshall,

(00:57):
your host for another excursion into theworld of the macabre, where we meet
persons not quite like you or me, because they have had experiences that often
defy explanation. It's a world ofmystery where meaning is obscure. What such
a world exists. Its phenomena mayarise from the mind or from the appearance

(01:19):
of an apparition a person surely deadmany years. That is what we explore,
because such an experience can happen evento you. You've heard the expression
if thought could kill. Keeps thatin mind. It is at the heart
of what you were about to hear. It's incomprehensible, Paul, But I

(01:41):
saw it happen. I saw theportrait lose its colors and begin to crack,
like a mummy exposed to the air. It's ruined and a good thing
too. She was such a beautifulyoung woman. Now she's free after seventy
years, and so is old Andrewscott. Our mystery story, The Woman

(02:10):
in the Green Dress, was writtenespecially for the Mystery Theater by Roy Windsor
and stars Michael Tolan. It iseasy to understand the meaning of necessity,

(02:30):
being the mother of invention. Thatis how we got the wheel and how
we learn to convert steam into energy. But many an inquisitive mind, without
being prodded by necessity, has stumbledonto discoveries that substantially have advanced civilization.
Electricity for example, Well, PaulMaiden is a designer of jewelry, and

(02:52):
designs interest him. It is bothhis business and one of his hobbies,
the other being photography. He's spendingthe weekend with Kirby Small in his fine
suburban house. Can you really takea picture in this subdued light bulb?
No problem, fast film? Well, I know, Kirby. I like
the natural light, the way themorning light surrounds the portrait, the sunbeam

(03:13):
that's like a spotlight. Don't jumparound time exposures are tricky at portrait fascinator,
who doesn't hold it? There?We are I'll take another to be
safe, open up to another fstop and Laura doesn't like the portrait?
There? Actually do it? Shedoesn't. Something about the painting makes her

(03:37):
uneasy. You feel the same way, I guess No. I just wonder
who she was. That's one reason. Another is the unusual color, the
green silk dress. Most painters backthen wouldn't choose such a color for a
portrait. Did you ask Dora aboutthe woman? Oh? She thinks it's
some ancient relative. But she doesn'tknow I found in the attic when I

(03:57):
brought down her suitcase. Cousin,a grandchild. Oh, just fine.
Dora is staying with Susie for aweek. I am glad you could spend
the weekend with me. We'll takesome walks. Got an old church nearby.
It's in ruins. Buying picture ofpossibilities? Good? What what do
you make of this, Kirby?Take a look at the lower right hand
corner of the portrait. What doyou see? I did notice that some

(04:23):
sort of coat of arms, Isuppose, But why and what does it
mean? I have no idea.It's really quite beautiful, the shape of
a diamond that it encloses three smallbirds, one with a branch in its
beak. I've never seen anything quitelike it. Well before the lady in
the bortrant jumps out of the pictureand bites us, let's go for a

(04:45):
stroll. What a beautiful young woman, chestnut colored hair, fine features,
the proud expression on her face.How old would you say, Kirby?
Oh? Early twenties? No?No, I mean how old is the
portrait? Oh? Well, yourguess would be better than mine. Paul
fifties, sixty years? I'd saymaybe older, even saidy. And Dora

(05:12):
has no idea who she is?No, and she must have died young?
Or do you think it's wonderful anda shame? The church is a
ruined all right, And the neighborhoodchanged grew, so a new church was

(05:35):
built. This one's in disuse.Only a very few parishioners cling to it
and keep it going old folks.After Higby dies, he's ministered, and
I don't know if he'll be replaced. Oh, speaking of Reverend Bigby,
wasn't gardis? Good morning? Ohmister Small, good morning, reverend.

(05:56):
This is Paul Maiden. You knowhow do you do? Sir? Follows
a very accomplished amateur photographer. You'rewelcome to take pictures, young man.
Thank you as I imagine that mistersmall As explained the conditions. You can
see for yourself. Yes, I'msorry. It couldn't be kept up,
so am I. Well you werethe best we can hope you volunteers,
but there's no money for repairs.It's pitty. It's a small church,

(06:19):
but it's authentic Gothic in design.You know, when I was appointed here
forty years ago, Saint Luke's wasprosperous. It sparkled inside and out.
Today it's in the game, theold graveyard filled with weeds, bumbling down.
How to say Luke's It was builtin eighteen eighty five, it's ninety
two years old. Is the interiorwere preserved? Don't changed? Ah?

(06:45):
It's called to vespers. Won't youjoin me inside? It's a short service
and it's quite lovely afterwards, misterMaiden, I'll be glad to show you
our reddic so i'd like to attend. I'll wait for you after the service.
Maybe she worshiped here Kirby's Ben Bardon, a beautiful young woman in a
green dress. Mister Maiden, Ienjoyed the service, Reverend Higbee. Oh,

(07:15):
don't let me, it's run.This is miss Morrison. How do
you do you do? But itisn't that why of course, mister small
Hello, journy one never sees that'sin New Year for years, or Dora.
She's well, I try, yes, thank you. She's in New
York for a week. Susie hadanother little boy. Oh nice, please

(07:35):
remember me to them. I will, I'll be outside ball all right.
Excuse me, Miss Morrison, I'llbe with you in a few minutes.
Mister Maidan, is he No,that's hoping too much. Not a new
member. No, he's just interestedas agra you were seeing Miss Morrison.

(07:57):
My great uncle especially wanted me toapologize for attending Servant the last two Sundays.
I understand. He's a very oldman. He's overnight. Even perhaps
sometime next week you could call onhim gladly. Here, mister Scott is
our oldest member and well, exceptfor his annual pledge. I don't know
how Saint Lukes could continue. He'sattached to the old church. Remember how

(08:20):
he opposed building the news Say Luke, yes, it is very well,
and he's in ram not in body. Oh he tires quickly. But it's
around. That's not his problem physicalhelp, it's his mind. He wanders
more than usual, and of courseit worries. Yes, of course you

(08:41):
think he's becoming senile. I don'tknow. Talk with him about ordinary everyday
things and he's informed and sharp,but then he drifts off into his memories
and lives. He seems to bepossessed by his memory. Well that's a
dangerous word, miss Morrison. Possessedby what. I rather have you here

(09:03):
about it from him, something thatgoes back years and years when he was
just a young man. Maybe he'lltell you that's all I love fame a
visit. If he's had something onhis mind for all this time, you
know, he may want to shareit with me. Andrew Scott's a good
man and God is forgiving. You'lljust drop in not mention our little talk.

(09:24):
No, no, not unless heasks me why, because what he's
often told me is blasphemous and makesme ashamed. And thank you, Reverend
h It was a lovely sir,m That's what was that all about,
mister Madden. Yes, sir,I'm free now. This is really a

(09:50):
final old church. Those stained glasswindows are exceptionally fine. Yes, is
well made, and the colors areunusually really the pulpit is made of wood
and hand curved. And these plaqueson the walls, the stone tablets who's
in the olden days, the wealthiestparishioners had the men graved and set into
the walls and memories someone departed.Ebenezer Scott born eighteen sixty five called to

(10:16):
his maker in nineteen twenty eight,where he is at peace. His epithet
shall be his name alone. Hisson had that plaque place there. Andrew
Scott. I was just talking abouthim with Miss Morrison, who is his
grandniece. He says he's still alive. He is in his idea. Well,

(10:37):
there's an interesting plaque. Melanie Brettsaid, that coat of arms that
I found her. I beg yourpardon. But the diamond shaped design with
the three birds and closed in it. Yes, I was about to point
that out. It's a small asa portrait of this woman. Does he?
I beg your pardon, Reverend hidit was rooted me. But no,

(10:58):
no, no, no, nono, what is it that excites
you about your your discovery? Smallfound a portrait in this attic of a
beautiful young woman and it's of MelanieBrain Well, I could swear it because
the portrait has the same coat ofarms or heraldic symbol painted in the lower
right hand corner. Now I canidentify her. But is that important to

(11:18):
you or why? Well? Becauseher expression is is intriguing. She's wearing
a green silk dress and that diamonddesign has some meaning. I'm somewhat of
an antiquary and old relics and designs. Interestingly, I just have to know
her story. It is simple enoughand tragic. She was born in eighteen

(11:39):
eighty six and in nineteen eleven aldatetwenty five years old? Twenty five years
old? How sad? I wonder? Yeah, would it be too much
trouble to look through the church registerfor that period of time? And no,
no, no, no, certainlynot. Now you've aroused my interest,

(12:00):
but you will have to give mea little time. No, of
course, I'd appreciate it very much. Melanie Brent is a distant relative of
Missus Smalls. By the way,Oh is that so? And not?
The old portrait has a name onceit had a life. Who was she?
Why did she die? How didshe die? And what's the meaning

(12:20):
of the unique design. Come in, come in journey. Don't look there
is If you're looking into corps,you will be on soon enough if you
don't stop wandering. I'm no,I'm bugg. It's my thoughts to keep
me alive. Except for her nightlyvisit side, I'd be glad to be

(12:41):
dead. Nonsense not. What's theuse of talking? There is none?
No, my girl? What aboutthe middle? I'm taking it to a
juror on Monday. You've had ita week, my dear, but you
insisted that I take it to adesign I'm not just any that's right now
you've one. What about old Williams. He's still in business there ten years.

(13:05):
I found a man highly recommend itnamed Maiden. I don't remember his
first Well, if that don't beatthe Dutch, I just him. You're
so like you're wondering my girl's saintLuke. I wonder if he's the same
man. If he turned to sayblokes, he must be an earnt.

(13:26):
No, No, he's quite ayoung man. He's taking pictures and admiring
the church. He'd be showing himaround as well. I do wish you'd
see him soon. Jenny Mission curlmay be hard to do. Protect iron
stand. Is there anything special onyour mind, Johnny? It has a
look of purpose on your face.Is it the usual? You worry me?

(13:48):
Uncle? Oh, I feel fine. You're around, or I want
or you'll still insist that she iswith you every night. She has been
for almost seventy years. I seeher every night and I'm happy. We
talk about what happened and how Iavenged her. No one believes your story,

(14:13):
Uncle, In fact, they're allmixed up crazy. They make no
second. They make perfect sense.My testimony got him acquitted. Then,
with the help of God, Iwilled his death and he died. Uncle.
You must and you think I'm death. They'm a girl on this subject.
What else can I think willed hisdeath? That's sacrilegious, Uncle,

(14:35):
He account to God an when Ijoined Melanie, and that will be very
very soon. Her name was MelanieBrent and she died when she was only
twenty five. Yes, why orhow I don't know, but Higbie will
find out from the church register.I'll drive out next weekend to see him.

(14:58):
Stay a pol come and I'll gowith you. Does he oh?
Thanks? Did did he have anyidea? What the coat of arms means
that diamond shape things. No,not offhand, but I've been getting at
some thought. First, it's unique. Two reasons. The design itself is
one of a kind, at leastI've never seen one like it. Yeah,

(15:22):
And isn't it unusual for a womanto have a goat of arms?
That's the other reason I've never heardof one. What could it mean?
Three small birds and one with abranch in its beak, at the end
of which there's a pearl. Youknow what? I think it all means?
Go ahead, faith, hope,and charity. Could be Paul.
In the Book of Common Prayer,faith is regarded as an outward and visible

(15:45):
sign of inward and spiritual grace.Someone had absolute faith in Melanie Brand some
man, of course, who mightstill be aliveble No, no, poor
wife, let me see, shedied nineteen sixty six years ago at twenty
five. Assuming it's a young manwe're talking about, and he'd be ninety

(16:07):
one or older, there's no onearound here. Now wait a minute,
who are you thinking of? Curvyold Andrew Scott an interest in Unusual designs.
A portrait of a beautiful young womanin a green silk dress or haunting

(16:30):
expression clues to a life long endedand forgotten. She is part of a
family's heritage, their roots. Youhad them sort of whine. You can
be certain that they both are goodand bad. What is the mystery that
surrounds Melanie Brent? We will searchdeeper when I return with that too.

(17:04):
All Maiden's curiosity who Melanie Brent's portraitis leading him to the story of the
young woman who died sixty years agowhen she was only twenty five. Well,
it's a week day now. Paulis in his jewelry store. An
elderly woman approaches him. May Ihope your madam and miss I Miss Jennifer
mart Well, my goodness, thatmiss Morrison. I was introduced to Saint

(17:30):
Luke's I I'm glad to see youagain. You know when we met and
I thought, I know that nameMaiden, and I know I've been trying
to decide on a jewelry designer,and I've said on you. Thank you.
My great uncle has an old goldmedal. A small pearl is missing
from it and he wants to haveit replaced. Let me show it to
you. Here is there for Heaven'ssake, you've seen starts. I am

(17:56):
miss Morris, and I I knowthe design. I've seen it before twice,
the diamond shape with the three birdsenclosed in it. Ah. So
that's where the missing pearl belongs,on the end of the branch being held
by the top most of the threebirds. And it's on the portrait and
on the wall tablet in your church. It is. It's the coat of

(18:18):
arms or an emblazonment of a womannamed Melanie Brent. There's a portrait.
Yes, mister Small founded his atticand now it hangs in his living room.
I've been trying to trace her genealogy. May I ask cry Well curiosity
more than anything else, because it'sa haunting portrait. The young woman is
very beautiful, and she died whenshe was only twenty five or perhaps you

(18:42):
know the story. It's the evergottenmister maiden. Oh, I don't mean
to pry, as she is longdead and so is the scandal. I
see he said there was a portrait, but we didn't believe him. You're
a great uncle. It's his design, that done in shape thing. Would
you object if I visited in MissMorrison? Not? If you'll be discreet

(19:06):
he's old and infirm. A shockcould very well, I understand you could
repair his medal and return it tohim. Who was Melanie bred? Miss
Morrison, I'd rather not say.She must have meant something to your great
uncle. He's still obsessed with her. Well, mister Maiden and mister Small.

(19:33):
Good afternoon, sir hellos, thankyou for seeing me again. Not
at all a law, but Ican't help you very much. There's no
entry in the church register about MelanieBrand. I have it here. You
may see for yourself. Oh MelanieBrand for one April twenty seventh, eighteen
eighty six, baptized July fifteenth,died September ninth, nineteen eleven. Parents,

(20:03):
and have the page torn out.Who did that? I have no
idea. Is most unusual. Whatwould have been written there? What she
did for the church, her confirmation, probably unmarriage if she married, and
there a few lines about her death, said her burial, And have the
page's torn out. The scandal scandal. Miss Morrison said there was a scandal

(20:26):
and that it'd best be forgotten.Let me show you something the diamonds cutchion.
What a beautiful metal it belongs toAndrew Scott that diamond shape design is
on the portrait of Melanie Brand.It's carved on that wall tablet, and
it's on this medal Andrew Scott andMelanie Brent, No question about it.

(20:49):
Miss Morrison said that he was obsessedwith Melanie Brand. Mister Higby, may
I see the register entry under AndrewScott as well? Yes, it would
be in this register. And letme look. How did you get to
Lettle Paul? She brought it infor repair. The pearl at the end
of the branch was missing. Ohyes, yes, here it is ANDREWS.

(21:10):
Scott born eighteen eighty two, sonsonny years old. Oh yes,
read it. Engaged to wed MissMelanie Brand, but service never performed because
of her sudden and tragic death.Make God have mercy on her soul.
Well what happened to him? Whathappened to Melanie Brandon? To Andrew Scott?

(21:34):
She dies suddenly just before she's tobe married, and his memories about
her are blasphemous? Did he killher? I noticed your speaking to mister
maiden, Miss Morrison. It's sonice to see him at service again.

(21:55):
Did you find time to see mygreat uncle Ribin? I tried, but
he was indisposed. I have expectedthat m because of because of his obsession.
Perhaps he realized it's a better keptto himself than would you. It's
nothing I want to talk about,Reverend. For your burden with a Jenny,
I'm a minister of God. Shareit with me and you will be

(22:17):
comforted. I just can't. It'sit's too incredible, melody Brent perceived a
Christian burial. And Andrew Scott hasalways been a true church member. Yes,
I know that there is a scandalabout. Yes, what's your great
uncle instrumental in her death? No? But the other way around? Well,

(22:41):
I don't understand. Andrew Scott isstill alone and praised for death,
so that so that he may joinher or ever your dog, mister Biden,
Well, thank you, sir.Old fashioned? Pardon me, sir,

(23:03):
is old fashioned. It's gone outof style. Used to be assigned
to respect for one's elders. Butthese are different times. I have your
medal, mister Scott. So,Jenny, fine, who did something about
it? But here it is?The design is unique, Yes, isn't
it is? I stuck it myselfand the birds they mean faith, hope

(23:29):
and charny. How did you figurethat out, young man, because of
its association with someone in the past. Well, this is good work,
mister Maidan. Thank you. Theshade of the pearls correct, it was
that luck, No, sir,oh, i've seen the pearl before.
Oh you're You're not a member ofSaint Luke's Church, are you? No?

(23:52):
But I've attended Vespers. There area couple of times with Kirby Small,
he used to be a member.You noticed the herald symbol carved on
the wall table a day. Thatwas the second place i'd seen it.
Kirby Small has a portrait of MelanieBrandt, which now hangs in his living
room. Ah, yes, yes, yes, I knew it existed.
And Jenny's never believed me. Ofcourse. She considers me her little laddled

(24:18):
and well she may. She doesn'tbelieve that I'm with her every night.
But Melanie brand Yes, my boy, it doesn't seem fantastic to you.
That depends on what you mean sheappears to you. Oh yes, yes,
and green shield dress that's what shewears in a portrait. Mister Scott,

(24:38):
I know you say it's in Small'shouse. It was in his attic.
Jenny tries to persuade me to livein the present. But there is
no present for me. My lifeended in nineteen hundred and eleven. But
you had a very successful career.Work was all that I had left.

(25:00):
Are you aware that half the pagein the church register about miss Brent has
been cut out? No? No, no, I'll take your word for
it. Was it because of whatMiss Morrison said was a scandal? It
was worse than that, mister Maiden, May I ask, no, No,
it's none of my business. I'mI'm curious about Melanie Brent, but

(25:21):
I won't intrude on your memories.Why why are you curious, mister Maiden,
because and you'll forgive me. IWell, if I'd ever married,
I wish it had been to someoneso lovely. That's sentimental, but it's
true. I'm sorry you lost her. I didn't lose her, mister Maiden.

(25:45):
She was murdered. Hello, I'mGlader, my dear girl. Well,
I am pleased to see you.That was that, mister Maiden,
I thought leading has Yes, Ilike him. He's gone to Small's house
to bring me the portraits. You'lltell him the story, only that she

(26:08):
was murdered and leave it at that. And he says he wanted to know
why. You don't know why orhow, But why is simple enough.
Rob Claridge wanted her as much aseyes, and she chose me, so
he kidnapped her and later killed her. The how it was also simple.
Larridge was a young doctor. Oneof his surgical instruments had been driven through

(26:33):
her heart. But she had hadher revenge. I had mine, and
that's what was miraculous. Doctor Claridgecouldn't be in church and outside on the
green Yether pond at the same timehe was, though at his trial you
testified that he was sitting right infront of you doing the service here as
he was. He Claridge. Iknew he kidnapped Melanie and had her hidden

(26:56):
someplace. I saw her in mybefore she disappeared. She was wearing her
green silk dress. That's the lastI saw of her. The police must
have been drunk. No, no, no, that is not true.
There were two of them when theyfound Melanie's body in the rushes in the
pardon, and they found doctor Claridgefainted on the green not twenty feet away.

(27:21):
But he was sitting right in frontof you in church, so he
was your story is impossibloic. See. But during the service, I kept
saying to myself, confess, confess, and the force of my thought and
the will of God transferred his souloutside where the constables found him, not
him his apparition, if anything.What they saw they told and caught,

(27:45):
and they saw Claridge as he wasfreed because you admitted he sat in front
of you in church. That's true. But my words, confess, confess,
drove and took his soul, andsoon after he took his own eye.
I will to Jenny, you don'tsee how incredible this is. It

(28:06):
may seem that way to you,it seems that way to anyone with consense.
I prayed for Clarage's death. That'ssinful. I prayed for revenge,
and it was grunted God. ShortWood. Oh, it is true to
the old proverb revenge is a morsefulreserve for God. I can't bear hearing
you talk like that. Oh.I am sorry, Jenny, but I

(28:30):
live for over ninety years and Clarridge'sdeath resolved. It has sustained me.
If I understand what I've heard,I must say that I'm sympathetic to Jenny
Morrison can a body be in twoplaces at the same time? That's what

(28:51):
Andrew Scott maintains, and the factsseemed to bear him out. Doctor Clarridge
was in church with him, butthe constables found the same Doctor Clarridge on
the green outside the church and nearthe pond where Melanie Brent was found murdered.
Is it possible that Clarridge could bein two places at the same time?
We learn more when I return withAct three. A miracle is an

(29:27):
event which deviates from the known lawsof nature. There are many instances of
them, most of them found withinthe framework of religions. Visions appear before
a person and reveal the future andthe course he must follow to make it
come true. Is that what confrontsus here? A miracle? Is it

(29:47):
conceivable that a body physically could bein two places at the same time.
Paul Maiden has returned to Kirby Small'shouse for the tell Tale portrait. He'd
like to see the portrait Kirby,of course, what's the story about Melanie
Brent? She was murdered in nineteeneleven. I don't know the tales.
I hope you'll tell me murdered.Maybe that's why Dora kept the portrait me,

(30:12):
Attie, but she doesn't know whoMelanie Brent was. That's true,
But I think he scents something aboutthe portrait. I didn't do that haunting.
Look you felt it too, Yes, I did give him the portrait,
Paul, all right, you havemy color enlargement. I must know

(30:33):
the entire story, Paul. Well, if he tells me, I'll tell
you. I wonder why Jenny Morrisonor Andrew Scott never told Dora. Jenny's
Dora's at isn't she? Yes?But we never see her. That's another
story. Leave it at this.Jenny's stiffneck, bigoted Jenny renounced her sister,
Dora's mother when she married me.I see, I think you do.

(30:59):
And Andrew Scott at the time Imarried Dora, he was another holier
than thou. We went our wayalone. It's mean to say it,
but it's gratifying to discover that Scottand Jenny have a really big skeleton in
their family closet. That truly isan incredible story. Mister Scott, Well,

(31:23):
you have to believe it, misterMaiden. Nobody else does. Doctor
Clarridge was brought to trial because theConstables found him lying on the green near
the pond. They had to bedropped or they were cold sober. I
spoke to them outside the church,so did the old minister, and they
never changed their story. No,sir, he repeated it in court,

(31:45):
and you had to testify that Claridgewas sitting in front of you in a
pew, and say, looks hisphysical body, mister maiden, what other
kind is their uncle? Oh?Holy God knows, it's extraordinary, absolute
nonsense. I'm great uncle was sellin love with a young one that when
she when she passed on, murderedby on a void. The fact,

(32:07):
and the word sure about to say, Jenny, is that I became a
babily idiot. You thought that allyour life. I appeal to you,
mister maiden, while I'd have todefer to Reverend headt me, Miss Morrison,
this this is beyond me in fairmister Jenny, who cannot abide scandal.
It's true that after Melanie's murder Iwas I was driven, I was

(32:30):
torn apart, probably temporarily insane.But I remember Rob Clarende's child and what
I heard there. What did hehave to say for himself? As to
Scott he was an arrogant devil.He denied kidnapping Melanie and then stabbing her,
but he could not deny that theweapon was his, and your testimony

(32:52):
freed him. I'm an honest man, I trust God. Do you believe
me, mister man? I wantto mister Scott. Isn't Reverend hate me?
The person who to judge the churchknows about miracles. I asked him
to pay you a visit, uncle, but you were in dispersed. You

(33:14):
said, will you see him?Don't you confess to him that your thoughts
are sinful? I declined to seehim. We all shay, Jenny.
The story is an embarrassment. Butnow every time Dick and Harry knows it,
so it's time. It was lateto red or that's rulee to mister
Maiden, my dear, I didn'tmean him. I'm sorry a man,
but you'll tell Kirby Small and he'ssure to Gospel about Nora will see to

(33:37):
that. Well. I don't thinkthey'd deliberately try to offend you or mister
Scott. Why would they? That'sneither here nor there. There's a small
skillet in their closet, you see, mister Maiden. If he had to
get married Uncle as an in myarrogant pride journey, and I turned noway
from them. They sinned, didn'tsin? Accepting your mind thinking you will,

(34:01):
Rob Flare just dead. He tookhis life because of his guilt.
Say that he did? Uncle?Say he murdered Melanie? Say he kills
himself. Did anyone ever prove it? A discovery by the constables of Rob
Claredge brought fainted on the green,drove remorse through his soul as surely as
he drove that knife to Melanie's.Ah, that's what you want to believe,

(34:24):
Uncle, But I say again itJosh couldn't be. Zone will leave
it at that. Mister Scott May, I asked you a question about the
portrait there. Did you commission it? And when? Two months before the
wedding did and it was completed.I intended to give it to Melanie for
her wedding. Prison you saw itcompleted before the murder. Years. I

(34:49):
have a portrait in the hall beforeI bring it in. Another question,
did you sense of premonition in herexpression? No? Not, as I
remember it's there. You mean sheanticipated her dead? That's provocative, mister
Raydon. I also take it thatyou don't think that I am entirely doubt

(35:12):
that I have told you the truth, and the truth as you say it,
I'm cam which miss Morrison may bethe truth. Melanie was murdered.
Clarridge was in church, never expectingto be tried. At the same time.
The constable saw him on the greennear the body. That's why he
was tried, and the fact ofthe trial is what led to Melanie's revenge.

(35:34):
Bring Higby. He must hear mystory before I die. I must
apologized for involving you in all it'sfoolishness. Well, I involved myself.
Don't forget now yet a portet andthe diamond shaped coat of arms, where

(35:55):
there's all our dirty linen. MisterMayden, I can the murder, but
I simply cannot believe Uncle's story.Can you? Either his story is true
and we doubt it, or he'sdwelt so long on a young woman he
loved and lost so cruelly that hishatred of Rob Claridge created the story in
his imagination self hypnosis. Yes,it sustained him for a long time.

(36:21):
When did he become well obsessed withhis memories? After he retired, he
was seventy then unwealthy. I urgedhim to travel see the world. He
became kind of a recluse. It'sa tragic story, Jenny. We'd better
go in. I'll bring a portraitfrom the hall. Yes, I'm gold.
Are you all right? Muster dos? Daughter is mister MAIDENSTI here.

(36:47):
I have the portrait for you,mister Scott, which, by the way,
Kirby Small wants you to have andto keep. O. Thank you,
thank you. To place it overthere against the wall, if you
please, Yes, sir, I'lltake off the wrapping. Night goodness is
striking you. Shall I turn onthe lights, mister Scott. No,

(37:09):
no, no, no, no, thank you. Nearly evening light is
soft and warm. It was atthis time of day that I last saw
her alive, wearing that same greendress. Oh, I thought she never
looked so lovely. It was thatnight that she chose me over all Clarridge.

(37:31):
She was very beautiful. She stillis very beautiful, mister Maiden.
I see her every night. Ibelieve that. But neither you nor Jenny
believes what the constable saw in thegreen Do you you explain that, mister
Biden? And what is this coming? Towards us. Now, it wouldn't

(37:54):
help me. But the woman inthe green dresses, he's stepping out of
the portrait and coming toward us.I don't believe, my honor isn't he's
he's going toward her uncle. He'sfalling. I've got him, yeah,

(38:16):
miss mister Skis, but he's stillfollowing a woman, and he's also in
your arm. It can't be.It can't be in two plazes at one.
But we saw it, Miss Morrison. He's he's dead. Miss Morrison,

(38:36):
I I'm so sorry you did sayit's mister Melton, am I in
the one that was crazy? Right? I saw it. There were two
of them. One walk toward MelanieBrent and vanished, not an apparition,

(38:58):
a whole man. And the otheris here in my arms. Oh,
mister bid bad news. Reverend,he just died. Oh my god,

(39:19):
bless his soul. Amen. Itwas suddenly, it happened, not five
minutes ago, and Miss Morrison undercontrol. Now. The circumstances were so
strange, you'd better hear them fromboth of us. Oh, please come
in. It's the reverend, Higbie, Miss Morrison, I am so very

(39:43):
sorry, Jenny, Reverend reverend,we heard justustful interest. I'm a miracle.
We saw my great uncle called toGod and he you walk out of
your body and into eternity. Yousay that Andrew Scott willed Rob Clarach's death

(40:15):
by driving his soul out to thegreen where the constables swear they found him
lying prostrated near the moderne body ofMelannette Print. And we just saw Andrew
Scott walk away with the woman whileI held him in my arms dead.
Can it be possible? Reference?May I see the portraits? You haven't

(40:37):
answered my question? Reference in amoment, my dear, the portraits in
his study? Shall I I walkin there? Look? Is that the
portrait, Miss Morrison. Something's happenedto the portrait away from here? Heaven't

(40:58):
me what happened to it. Thecolors are faded and flesh say, it's
cracked, and chips of paint hadfallen away. It's what's left of a
woman who was twenty five and diedalmost seventy years ago. To say that
portraits depicted a young woman in blowinghealth, wearing a green silk dress,
a beautiful young woman. It wasin perfect condition when I unwrapped it what

(41:22):
I mean, he moves in mysteriousways his wonders to perform. You and
mister Maiden have witnessed one of them. Miracles happen only to those who believe
in them. No Great Uncle's tid, and now he's reunited with the woman

(41:42):
in the green silk dress. Idon't think our story requires much comment for
me. You believe or you don'tbelieve what happened to old Andrew Scott.
But before you make up your mind, I suggest that you reflect on the
broad subject. Miracles do come topass. There's a world apart within each

(42:08):
of us, and a world apartfrom all of us which we do not
understand. Those are facts. Perhapswe should leave it at that. I'll
be back shortly. Men's lives canbe controlled, but not their wills or

(42:35):
their thoughts. Andrew Scott's life ended. Melanie Brent was murdered, but he
willed her revenge, and it wasachieved because of what the constables saw on
the green near the pond outside SaintLuke's. And there was no gainsaying their
testimony, even though it was incredible, that was it. Our cast included

(42:59):
my p poland Louis Kippe, Guysareland Earl Hammond. The entire production was
under the direction of Hyman Brown.