The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1870-12-14

ueu S"ots hulspeieu Son'eisahou, ou
evidently an important one. The purpOrt
Of it was soon made known.
"Alfred Martin, as you choose to call
yourself, though no one here is fool enough
to believe that to be your correct name,
you deny all participation in the foul deed
that has been done p
81 do" nT
And you are willing to prove it by any
means within your power?'
"I am."
"oficers, guard him safely and remove
him to the next room. We will soon see
his guilt clearly proved"
Without the most remote idea of what
was going to take place. the prisoner per.
mitted himself to be led into another apart
ment, and saw, to his surprise and horror,
the corpse of the girl stretched out upon
the table, still as bloody and ghastly as
when he first discovered her in the gloomy
ravinc. 1t was sight that would at any
time cause him to shudder; now it almost
unnamed him for an instant, especially
as the dress had been cut away so as to
expose wound in the fair white flesh.
His natural emotion was at once taken rs
evidence of guilt, and he heard whispered
comments to that effect. The II told you
50 ~ Of the man who had before volun-
teered his testimony particularly attracted
bis attention; and, from that instant, be
watched him as closely as possible without
being detected. and summoniug his cour-
age, he turned to the pompous justice and
demanded what was intended by such an
unusual proceeding.
at is the death test" vas the solemn
response.
You will have to explain more fully;
do not understand" .
eve believe that the corpse Of mur-
dered person has power to distinguish be-
tween the innocent and guilty. Place one
hand upon that wound, raise the other to
Heaven, and assert your innocence-if
you dare. If you are indeed without guilt
lll will be well. II not, the blood will
flow again"
At another time Martin would have
laughed outright at the stupid superstition
Of which henow remembered to have often
read. Yet. there was something solemn
in this callingupon the dead to give evil
ience for or against the living. and be
would willingly havebeen spared the or
deal, for the most simple accident mighs
cause drop or two of blood to cxude from
the unclosed lips Of the wound. and then
h:s fate would be sealed indeed.
"If guiltless, why do you shrink :"
asked the man of the law. at is only the
murderer that need fear"
lie could hesitate no longer without
himself in their eyes and.
stepping to the side Of the ccrpse,..be laid
his right hand upon the wound, and called
God to witness his entire innocence.
Then he stepped back so that all could see
that NO blood had followed.
"God has attested your guiltlessness,"
said the uncle oftLe poor girl. "Bu. see,
the blood is beginning to flow, and the
guilty man must 90 near. Let each in
turn do as this stranger has DONE"
In the opening of the wound, and the
oozing of blood. Martin saw far. other
things than did the afflicted old man; but
he wisely held his peace. and managed to
place his back against the door SO tLat no
one could goout.and watched each as they
went through the death test. But there
were no more crimson drops bubbling
forth as a sign Of guilt: and.as the justice
declared that all had gone through the or
deal, sigh of intense relief burst from
many lips.
"Not ALL" replied Martin. "There's
one yet remaining" pointing to the one
who had made himself so oficious, "thai
man has kept in the background"
John Kirkpatrick, is this true"
mo, it's lie." was the answer.
at is ,rue," repeated Martin, firmly
81 have kept him under my eye all The
time. and swear that ho has not beer
near the table"
II have; you all saw me"
But, upon reflection, no one had seel
him, and he was forced forward. Thel
an entire change was visible. His aushe'
face grew pale as ashes, and his brutisl
lip trembled. He looked wildly for
chance of escapo-saw there was none