Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1857-11-25
THE TEST OFBLOOD,
lCONCLUDED.


after slight search, thought no more of the
matter, his very soul glowing with renewed de-
light 1t the thought of seeing his loved one on
the mOrTow-that their differences should be
made up, and all again sunshine.
About an hour after, as no was preparing to
retire for the night, it suddenly occurred to
him that he would like to take a walk towards
kathleen's cottage-perchance be should see
her shadow on the curtain-he might hear her
sweet yOice-no matter, to gaze upon the home
that contained her would at least be something.
so of he started in that direction, happy feel
ins pervading his every sense Arrived within
sight OF her abode he fancied he heard a stiaed
groan, but his thoughts, stepped in joy, dwelt
not On it In moment after. distinct and
fearful scream, rs Of one in agony, burst on the
stiffness Of the night 1t came from the direc-
tiOn Of Kathleen's cottage. Inspired with a
horrible fear, he ran wildly forward-another
and another terrible scream followed; thsrs was
no longer dOubs-it was the voice OF his Kath
Ieen. With mad desperation, he reached the
place just in ii ne to sec the figure Of man.
who, Ia the doubtful light. ho could not recoQ-
niEe. rush from the door and disappear in dark
ness. In brcathless horror Luke entered
Great Heaven. what a sight met his eyes His
beloved Kathleen lay on the blood -dabbIcd
fOor, in the last agony OF departing nature,
her beating heart pierced with many wound. :
she saw aud evidently recognized Luke for
mid the desperate throes of ebbing life abe
olutched his hand in hers, essayiny, but In
vain. 10 articulate-she could but smile; her
eye glazed Oyer-her hand relaxed its grasp
and with her gcntlehead resting on his breast
her spirit passed away.
All this was so sudden and fearfully une1-
pected 10 Luke, that he scarcely knew twas
reality, until several of the surrounding neigh
bors, who had been alarmed by the outory
came hastily in.
See :" cried one, Z" 'Tis as 1 thought; mur-
der has been done -
sand here is the fatal instrument with which
ID ha. bsen effected, said another, as he picked
up CORY knife from the floor. 1t caught the
eye of Luke. Z" That knife is mime said he,
IN the measured tone Of one stricken down by
terrible calamity.
Yours they all llexclaimed at once "Then
you murdered her ,"
Luke Only smiled-a CHASTITY, soul-crusbed
smile, most awful to look upon at suoh a time:
his heart was too fun for words Reason.
which had boon dethrOned by this unexpected
blow, had scarcely yet returned to its seat for
All uneonselOusiy be still held the lfeless form
tightly clssped in his arms, gazing with a sort
OF stony expression upon the face of her who
had been to him the world.
IL vas not until they approached to seize
him for killing her that he seemed to be thor
Oughly aware Of bis position
- What would you do, fiends?' said he.
away. Would you deny me the sad comfort
Of dying il her presence
Have you not murdered her, wretch ?" cried
one Of the bystanders
= What murder her--God in heaven for
bid, be exclaimed
. Is not this your knife 30
ait
And how came it here-if not used bv vou
in this unknown manner?'' :
II was stolen from me by that areh-demon
hark Dsrmot, said Luke, shuddering to the
very heart as ne mentioned that name
That has got TO be proved, cried one of the
crowd, who happened TO be a friend of Marks
We can ! take your bare word for it. Let him
be secured .
But Luke needed no securing. ListIessIv be
suffered them to Pinion his arms; and in the
same room with the precious casket which once
Contained his hearts treasure he abid.d tho
rsmalndsr of the night, in a state Of mental
wOrds --'''
The morning after this awful occurrence n
coroner jury was Summoned, and the identity
Oi TIE knife having been proved added To nj,
Own admission and the fact of hishaying had
quarrel with her the day before being testi
lie to, every circumstance tended TO ii. the
guilt upon him; verdict was delivered as-
cprdingly, and Luke Bryant stood charged
WIN @ toe murder OF one for whom he would
ID
With degree Of effrontry consonapt with hi,
general character, Black Mark made hi. ap-
Pearsnce amongst the spectators who attended
lh7 inquiry, and was lUudest in denuuciation
against the supposed criminal Ii onIv re-
NAMED now for the accused, who had been re-
moved during the inquest, to be brought into
The chamber VI death. previously To the war
rant being drawn out for his final cornu,ittaI, to
lie triei az the ensuing quarter sessions. He
was conducted into the room with EstIes.
aPatneto gaze he looked around him msohan-
lcaily. Tor be CARED not now what fate might do
u bin, when suddenly his eyes rested on Mark
Detnot. Ine consciousness Of everything thai
hAf taken place seemed all to fash through his
brain at once. ,, = -
Murderer ~ he cried "Can IL bs that
Heavens lightning slumbers, Friends,-bs-
h1id That hehd, who, not content with the lifs's
b'"Sa OF Que ssct'm. now Gomez 10 triumph In
double murdsr.'a .r-.s .,.--. =.
What means the fool 2'' coEtemptuously
exclaimed Mark. Does he suppose that rea-
sohinY men VII credit bis rawlings, or help him !
70 shltt his load et crime upon another shoul-
dersl'
As am a living man-ss there is lust
O0d who knows the secrets of all hearts. there
stands the murderer, Mark Dermot ~ solemply
replied Luke. F" Ii is not for myself care. for
Heaven knows that l would rather die than
bear about this load Of misery; but that be
SN'-LH DlA'S tue angels Win u shameless brow,
he whose hands are crinsOned with her precious
biVpd-it is too much too much ,''
Then, Luke Bryant" said the coroner.
You deny having committed this crime ?''
On my knces-before the throne Of mercy
DO - :.
trust. then, that you may cause a Jury of
your c0unirymen u believe So; but for me,
have only one duty to perform, and circum-
stances clearly bear me out in my assumption.
must send you to trial -
AT this Juncture, one Of the jurymen, who
thought be could perceive q meanin ng in Marx.
peculiar, ill-cOncsaled glance Of savage delight,
begged 10 be heard. Keeping his eve steadily
txed on Mark $ face, be said with solemnity
When the Judgment OF man is in perplsxity
n To the authority Of crimes like these, the
At u Heaven may we'll be solicited, that il
might be mepsifulIy pleased to give some indi-
siton by which the innocent might be pre-
vented iroui suffering for the guilty We have
an old tradition here, that if the accused lays
hrs right hand upon the breast Of the corpse
swearing upon the Holy Gospel that he had no
act or part IN the deed, speaking truly, no re-
6ulL4 Will follow but IL he .Ha.ra fal ba