The herald. (Smyrna, Del.) 1870-1871, 1871-07-01

peiieVeu MIN guilty.
"The mans insane, or an idiot - salt
one of his counsels, conversing with I
brother barlister. "He's determined OF
running his neck into the halter. Wis
tied his cell last night, in hope he haC
come round at the last moment. But
found HIM like adamant. He know
who murdered Heatherstone, he says
but chooses 10 shoulder the crime him
self, sooner than inform against the rea
murderer. Shouldn't you call that in
sanity? | shall put i'll plea under tina
head-there's nothing else to be done
But hist /! here c. m j the principal wit
ness against him, Miss Raeburn, his be
trothed."
Janet lealt ON the arm of her old faith
err, and was conducted to seat by ar
officer in attendance. For few mo-
ments she sat immovable, her hands
closely clasped, her very breath suspen
ded. Not once since that awful nigh
when he left her with that threat o
murder on his lips, had she seen hei
lovers free; and now she longed ant
dreaded to lift her veil and look upoI
him, knowing that her firstglance would
assure her of his guilt or innocence. Blu
she must know,or die
A SHE'D Ter of terrible excitement fill
ed from head to foot. She put up 4
shaking hand, and raisedher veil. Ro' S
Mllburn was patiently awaiting thai
wild, questioning glance; and when il
came, his genial brown eyes, sad and
tender. but clear and true as Gods own
word, responded. The girl started tc
her feet, a sudden flash of glorifyirg g
light illuminated her white face.
ooh, thank God ~ she cried, her voice
thrilling with gratitude. "Oh, Ross
Ross, you are innocent ?'
She prisoner rose to his feet.
Eyes, janet" he said, solemnly. 81
am innocent, God knowsr'
Then he sat down, and folded his arms
across his breast, and the trial went on,
There were two witnesses, Watcl man
Cowly and the rector's daughter. The
latter was called first. She obayed the
when questioned, she refused to an.
swer.
'I won'ti" she cried. passiouately-"l
won't speak, though you put me TO tor
ture; won't swear his dear life away
and he standing before me innocent"
Every heart in the crowded court
thrilled with pity. Then the prisoner
rose in the do TX.
"Gentlemen," he said, a slight tremor
rushing through his manly tones, 81
ask nothing for myself, but entreat
you to free her. Her bun d IN is, heavy
enough. Don't force her to speak
against me, when you see how it pains
her. Suffer me speak myself. Gerald
lIeatherstone did me a mortal wrong,
and if had put knife in his heat, the
laws of my country would have justified
me. But l didn't do it. made Il
threat to murder him, in Miss Raeburn' S
hearing, OH the very night of the mur-
der, but did not mean what said. /
left the parsonage at Str"mville, at just
hali-past ten-I beard the harbor bells
striking, rs I turned into Calvert street
Tnen heard "a cry of murder; and hur-
rying on, found Gerald Heatherstone
down, and his murderer standing over
him. l drew tho dagger from his breast,
to save his lie. l saw and re-
cognized the murderer, but have made
up my mind not to betray thai murder
or. Gentlemen, have spoken the
truth"
He resumed his seat amid silence
that seemed like the grave. Men look
cd into each others eyes with bated
breath. Could that man at the bar be
Ielon, an assassin? Even the prosecut-
ing counsel was sta aggered, and halted
and faltered in his address; but when it
was all over, and the evidence summed
up, his guilt seemed awfully apparent.
There was nothing TO save him but his
own simple word.
The jury retired with a feeling of aw-
full responsibility at their hearts; and
when, after hours of endless waiting,
they re-appeared, and gave in their yer
lict, "Guilty," every man of them look
I'D as if his soul were stained with muir
der. Yet, how could it be otherwise?
Then the judge pronounced the sen
-ence. Ross Milburn was to be hung
Janet Raeburn heard, and dropped
lown without even sigh. as white and
,old as the snow that capped the winter
Hills; the waiting crowd heard, and dis
oersed in Mortified silence. Tho DOOM
I'd man heard, and walked back to his
,ell without even so much as a tremor.
Slowly and drearily the terrible days
vent by. There were vigorous efforts
tut forth ON the part of Ross Milburn's
riends, but without avail, aad the last
light come,-a February night, black
With storm. The morrow would see the
md. The old rector and his daughter
vent to the county town (only a few
niles of) to say their last farewell. The
prisoner was calm, cheerful. resigned.
"'Tis hard, know, my darling," he
aid, straining the weeping girl to his
eart; sand the merciful God alone
,nows how my heart bleeds to cause |
'ou this sorrow; but not for your sake,
carer ten Thousand times than my own
oul, can make it otherwise. But you
rust me, you believe in my innocence.
shall die content, and the good God
fill comfort you."
Thus they parted for the last time,-l
the prison steps, Janet felt
ome one pluck her sleeve. She looked |
p, facing Watchnan Cowly. A pecu-