Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1870-04-05

eyes OF glorious azure hue, win thelr
dropping, g,silken fringes; nor the slight
pink blush which, for a moment, swept
over the otherwise pale face, and set
tied in one tiny spot upon either
cheek.
was spell-bound. | could neither
speak nor move. My heart stopped
beating, and | gazed-yes, gazed
straight into the very depths of those
liquid orbs, for it was the original Of
the picture which. for the past two
days, had nearly driven me mad, that
now stood before me.
:" Mr.. CIeighorn z she ked at
length.
"At your service, madam" l man
aged to stammer out. pray, be seat
ed, | added, handing a chair.
" You, sir, are retained to defend
Allenston Wentworth ?" she asked,
inquiringly.
1" | have that honor, madam" l re-
turned.
We'll, sir, wish to put you in pos
session OF a few facts"
Proceed, madam. | am all attCn-
ton" | said.
81 must commence by telling YOU |
am the daughter OF Morton Ru-hton
Esq, one OF the directors and heavi-
est stockholders of the Hillside Bank.
Allenston Wentworth was, as you
have doubtless heen apprisei, clerk
in the bank. He is innocent of this
great charge against him. He is, al
so. poor. But work for him as tho
he were rich, for have it in my pow
cr to pay you we'll"
/ | assured her that would defend
him to the best of my ability, though
| were not to receive q penny for my
services.
Thanks, sir. You are, also, prob
ably aware that Melville Thornton,
the individual who made this charge
against the prisoner, is paying teller,
aud a son of one Of its wealthy di.
rcctOrs.'
assentcd.
Thornton and Wentworth have
both been paying their addresses to
my younger sister, Lilly. Ny sister
gave her preference to Wentworth, my
father favored Thornton, and finally
Wentworth was refused the house, but
Thornton was allowed to continue his
visits. Neither myself nor my sister
would entertain the latter, after the
former was excluded. This annoyed
M father exceedingly, for he is a stern,
unyieldin. man. though generous to a
fault with his daughters so long as
. they prove obedient to his iron will.
When we refused to entertain Thorn
ton, he told US that should we marry
against his desire or beneath US, as he
termed it. in fact, meaning should we
marry poor he would Immediately dis
inherit rs, and leave his wealth to a
distant relative. Ny sister grieved,
my mother implored, and | denounced
it as cruel and unjust. Ny sister was
fast sinking as we ali thought into a
premature grave. This nearly crazed
me. My mother has an only sister
, residing a short distance from the city
and as a last resort | wrote to her
stating the case in full, and begged
her if she valued my sisters life to al
low US to arrange plan of meeting
Wentworth at her house. She com
piled, and Mr.. Wentworth visited heI
at my aunt 5 house on the very night
upon which the bank was robbed
This fact, of course. establishes com
plete 0iibj, but you will readily IN
derStand how impossible it is that We
e should be called as witnesses. there
fore desire to know if you cannot es
, tablish his innocense in some other
, way ?"
Miss Rushton," | said. "the cir
cumstantiaI evidence is very strong
against him, as you are aware, that
the money was found in his room Sc
| creted in the mattress"
True, admit this. But | firmly
believe it was placed there through
, the agency OF Thornton.
Il am sure of it" | replied, land it
is just possible that | may succeed in
making that fact apparent
After some further conversation, il
: was arranged between US that she
, should call again on the following day
and with many thanks she took her
leave
| REPAIRED at once to the house al
which Wentworth had boarded, and
then learned that on the night of the
robbery gentleman had called tc
see Wentworth and had been sent uE
to his room, the landlady not knowing
whether the young man was in or not
The landlady could not describe the
caller accurately, for the reason thai
: he wore his coat collar up and his hat
pulled closely over his eyes. A but
ton was off his coat, however, which
opened slightly at the breast anG
through the opening she caught the
glimmer OF a brilliant diamond.
Here was a clue, for knew tina
Thornton wore set OF diamond studs
Thanking my informant for the in
formation given, took my leave, anC
7 as | was going down the steps my eye
caught the brilliant glimmer of some
. thing at the bottom of the stoop, and
+ picking it up to my great surprise i
proved to be diamond stud.
3 Upon examining the gem by The
light of the street lamp | detected tht
7 initials 'M II. T." on the back of it
/ Retributive justice had favored mt
g and trapped the villain.
knew my case was gained
/ Ny brief was soon finished now will
| complete satisfaction to myself, anC
e my next step was to write to Mrs
e Manchester. (the aunt of the Misses
/ Rushton,) requesting her to be ii
t town on the day of the trial, and ac
I quaint me of her Whereabouts, that
D might call on her if | deemed it nee
{ essary. And on the day preceding
that of the trial, received a note
}. from that lady, stating that she could
= he found at the house of her sister
t Mrs. Morton Rushton, and expressing
her willingness to aid as much as pos
sible.
g The day of trial at last arrived