Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1858-03-05

you have murdered her
Luke only smiled-a ghastly. soul-crushed
smile. most awful to look upon at such a
time his heart was too full for words. Rea-
son, which had been dethroncd by this unex-
pected blow, had scarcely yet returned to it's
scat. for all unconsciously he still held the
lieless form tightly olasped in his arms, gaz-
ing with sort Of stony expression upon the
face Of her who had been to him the world
10 was not until they approached TO seize
him for killing her. that he seemed to be thor
oughly aware of his position.
"What would you do, friends 2" said he,
mourniully as they cndcavored to force him
away would you deny me the sad COM
fort Of dying in her presence
"IIave you not murdered her, wretch -
cried one Of the bystanders.
"Whai murder her-God in Heaven for
bid. exclaimed he.
us not this your knife y
"And how came Il hore-if not used by
you-in ibis unknown manner
at was stolon from me by that arch-dc-
mon. Mark Dcrmot" said Luke. shudderng
to the very heart as he mentioned that name.
THAT has got to De proved. cried ono Of
the crowd who happened to De q friend of
Marks, eve can't take your bare word for il.
Let him be secured
But Luke needed no securing. Listlossly be
suffered them 60 pnion his arms and in the
same room with the precious caskct which
once contained his heart treasure. he abided
.uf remainder OF 'ne nlsnt' I'D state OF mon
tai torture utterly incapable OF being render
cd into words
no t'''.,''s a'''I 'nlS d" iu' occurrence "
Ju'! was "'','onc"' anu 'ne 'uen-
,''y W ''o Nn'e having oeen proved ADDED 10
ms own auhi hi7sion- ana tne iect OF ms having
hau quarrel with her tho day before being
tesilhed to- every circumstance tended TO hN
The guilt upon him q verdict was delivered
accordingly. and Luke Bryant stood charged
WIN zoe murder OF one TOT Whom he would
have willingly shed bis iast drop of blood.
With degree Of earontery consouaut with
bus general character, Black Mark made bis
appearance amongst Che spectators who at-
tended the inquiry. aud was loudest in donun-
citation against the supposed criminal 1t on
ly remained now Tor the accused who had
been removed during iAc nqlest.to bc brought
into the chamber of death. previously TO the
warrant being drawn ont for his final COM
INITIAL 70 be tried at the ensuing quarter scs-
sions. ne was conducted into the room
with a hstless, apathciic gaze he looked a-
round him mechanically. for he cared not
now what tate might do 20 h'm, when sud-
denly his eyes rested on Mark Dermot The
consciousness of everything that had taken
place seemed all to fash through his brain at
once.
Murder !. he cried. Can it be that
Heavens lightning slumbors Friends -
behold that tiend who, not content with the
life blood Of one victim. now comes to tli-
umPh IN a double murder
What means the fool:' contemptuous'y
exclaimed Marx. DOES nc suppose that re'-
sonlng men VIII credit has ravngs' or heip
nm to shHt ms load upon another s shoui-
deFS
AS / am living man--as there is a Just
Gou VINO hnows the secrets OF an hearts,
theie stands the murderer Marx Dermot
soiemnly rephed Luke ~ Is not ior myself
care Ior Heaven knows that would rather
die than bear about this load OF misery but
thA' he should brave the angels With sname-
less brow he whose hands are crmsoned with
her precious blood-t Is too much too
much
men, Luxe bryant sald the coroner
''you deny having committed this crime
on my knees-beiore the throne OF mercy
II do
IL trust tren' that you may cause jury
OF your own countrymen to believe sos bAt
for me- have only ono duty TO perform and
circumstances clearly bear me out IN my as
sumption. must send You to tral
AZ TINS Juncture' ono OF the Jnrymen' who
Thought he could perceive a meaning in
Mark peculiar ill-concoaled glance otsavase
deilgh'' begged to be heard keeping ms eye
steadily fixed on Mark face he sald' with
solemnity
NV hen the Judgment ot Man is IN perplex-
ity as To- the author OF crimes iNe these the
ana OF Heaven may wen be solcIted' that II
might be mercllnlIy pleased To give some IN
dica'lon by winch the innocent might be pre-
vented rom suffering for the gmlty we
have an ola tradition here that II the accused
lays his right hand upon the breast OF the
corpse swearing upon the HOLY Gospel that
ne had no act or part m tine decd speaking
truly no results wlu follow uulli ne sWearS
falsely, the deed ltsell Wlu TESTIFY against
him; for the closed wounds will reopen their
bloody mouths and, to the confusion OF the
guilty one, the stream OF hle wlH How once
more for short space II seems to me that
this Is case IN which Ihe Test Of blood
might be applied not vainly.