The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1868-10-15

her eyes. 'GOd bless you for saving
that. God be praised that it was nv
story that convinced you of it. Tell me
II L go into the court tomorrow and re-
peat what 1 have just said, word for word,
will 1t convince them that he was driven
wild by my wicked frenzy?
The judge hesitated-he could not bear
to crush the last hope to which the wretch
ed girl was cinging.
''Speak 70 she said ssteu me. ba-
seech you"
''1 am afraid it would but prove a new
motive for the mur-for the crime
charged upon him." he said at length, but
in voice that bespoke pity and reluc-
tance.
She fell back in her chair for an instant,
as If struck helpless by his words, but
Instantly rallying again, she said:
''Then you think had not better ap-
pear"
''It could do no good, but might supply
the only link wanting in a chain of evil
dence against the unhappy man. That
is, motive for the crime.''
''Still you believe him to have been in
sane. You have heard all, and in your
charge Tomorrow every word that have
said will be remembered.
The judge was deeply embarrassed and
it was with difficulty that he found words
to undeceive her.
81 cannot as an honest man, / dare
not as sworn judge. make a charge on
any evidence not brought forward in the
trial, he said firmly, but with deep COM
miseration.
'Oh Heaven! great Heaven! You
cannot deny me this-and SO much de-
pends on it. If you could but say that
there was anything in the evidence to
prove hin insane, it would save him. A
human lifel think how sweet it must be
to save man like that from death--and
from such a death The jury will be
| guided by your charge. / have studied
their faces one by one, ever since the trial
commenced. l know that they are men
to be guided into the path of mercy--only
show them the way-only take little Of
the responsibility. You will--you will
for did you not admit only few min
utes since, that ha must have been insane7
Only say that Tomorrow ask nothing
| more"
The eartnestness with which the poor
girl pleaded was agonizing Her eyes
grew moist, her hands were convulsiyely
clasped, and in the agony of her appeal
she sank unconsciously to her knees, and,
clinging to his dressing-gow with both
hands, wildly urged her suit.
The judge raised her, and even in her
distress she felt his hands tremble in per-
forming this office.
"Be comforted, my dear young lady
be more composed. This is very distress
ing TO me, assure you," he said, while
tears actually stood in his eyes.
"Heaven bless you for those tearsi 1
knew they were wrong who said you had
no feeling How do you think that law
yer advised me to act See, was to
have brought this money to offer you, and
these, and these % She drew from the
folds of her dress large double purse,
crowded full of bank notes, and with it a
heavy diamond bracelet and other female
ornaments of great value. 81 have given
the lawyer almost as much to plead his
cause. Gold can purchase his eloquence,
but dare not offer it to you. My heart
rose against his advice the moment / en-
tered the room.''
''It is well," replied the judge, Grim
soning to the temples with indignation
that any man could have advised bribe
to him Sit is well that you judged
more honorably OF me than your adviser.
If anything could win me the forgetful-
ness of stern duty, it would be your
evident distress-not your gold.''
'I know it know it and the bless
ings of a broken heart will follow you to
the grave for every merciful word uttered
in to-morrow's charge Oh, the clock is
striking. Is it twelve? 1 will go home
now. They think am at party, and
l was two hours ago-see how brilliant
they made mel" and with a mingled
laugh and shudder, the strange girl threw
| open her cloak and revealed a dress of
rose-colored satin and rich blonde, in the
folds of which few white roses were
crushed "Would you believe" she said
with touching earnestness, and folding the
cloaking over her person again, "would
you think it possible no creature in my
fathers house dreams of this, not even
nay own mother? They think that late
hours and fashionable folly are rendering
me 90 pale. Tonight they will be all
asleep when get home, and I-oh Hea-
ven snail sleep again %
The wretched girl covered her face with
both hands, and, for the first time during
the interview burst into tears. After
weeping with unrestrained violence for a
few moments, she uncovered her face, and
with sad smile suddenly seized the
Il
it, and left the room sobbing bitterly. Be
fore the judge could overtake her, or offer
her any of those civilities which her beauty
and evident station seemed to demand, she
had opened the hall door and hurried out
into the dark night. He caught one
glimpse of her garment as she entered the
carriage, and then, but for the muffled roll
of wheels passing through the storm, all
that had passed within the last half hour
] might have been dream.