The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1871-05-18


ling. ''lIo is not capable of it. know
him too well-poor fellow-he is Us mile
and gentle as 4 child. Must he be hunt
ed to death ?" exclaimed she, more
passlonately, and yet in 4 suppressed
tone, fearful Of being overheard, because
circumstances place him in suspicious
position?' g
Sparkling drops flew to her eyes, but
she dashed them aside. Mr.. Neville, ;
said she, turning TO me appealingly, "car
do anything to save him ~
"Madam," said sterniv for the light
had broken in on my mind, 'docs not
that supply the motiVe-thc missing mo-
tive. Talk to me OF his gentleness and
inotlensivencss; love transforms the mild
est character. If this is known nothing
M the world can save him.
but it is not known cried she; Mr..
Neville, You will not refuse TO undertake
the case ?" wring.ng her slender hands
as she looked anxionsly into my face.
! could net answer. A lawyer is ac-
customed to all the dark phases of human
life, but for q moment | was paralyzed, l
did not wish to undertake this. yet how
could ! refuse this woman?
do not refuse me,' cried She, rising
to her feet, You can--and YOU must
save his life" as | paced the floor. at
is all my iault-hc loved me-but no
more than loved him, was his Tempt
ress ut lirst-and | Cannot-cannot see
him dragged TO death, in consequence of
my mad love. He is innocent Of this
crlme-l know it can prove it-I will
swear to it, she went on incohcrcntlv
"lt is impossible he should have been
guilty, Tor he was with me when the mllr-
der took place.
| paused in my excited walk across the
floor, and fixed my eyes keenly on her
face. Was this true, or WAS she willing
to swear TO anything To save her lovers
life ?''
"How was it ~ said |, ut length. "Tcll
me the whole truth7
cit was Il bright, moonlight night, "
SAID she. more calmly, ''whcn | went out
that night. The house 10 which | was
going was in sight, so did not need any
escort. | staid but few moments
About half way there was a group of
trees ut the roadside, which cast dense
shadow across the road Returning,
met Arthur there rs | had before agreed
When reached home. | found my hus-
band dead. Mr.. Neville, he was mnr-
'lerel while we We're out Arthur had
nothing to do with it !; had he been there
and been aroused by the struggle, he
would have defended him with his life. -
During these words had fixed my at
tentlon keenly, using all my knowledge
OF human nature to discover if she was
telling the cyuct truth, and | was forced
to conclude, aS flr as | was a Judge, she
evidently believed what she was saying.
You will undertake the case" said
She, as llcenlv studying my countenance
''Yps," said /, alter II few moments
thought, 81 will see and converse with
him first
THANK you-God bless YOU" said she,
seeming to lie assured of his escape if
undertook to clear him.
Il ann Obliged to You for your conf
dencc in my abilty,' said |, .'but do not
be too sangUine, appearances are very
much against him.
81 know it; but you will save him il
any one can, and if you will do so, you
can name your own reward. But Imust
go-good night" and she vanished alb
ruptly,
The next day, as soon MS could con
ycnentv, called upon the Young man
in his cell
| found him as had been led to ev-
pcct, rather boyiSh and ctlcminate look
INC, nothing about him that would indi-
cate one who would commit il violent
deed
lie was handsome, with delicate fea-
lures, the fine soft hair, and pure, fair
complexion that betokened 4 refined or
ganization, and there was the dreamy ab-
stracted air about him of n stndent or -
poet.
| soon discovered that the woman had
the strongest mind; lut impractical and
boyish us he was. he at least was suf1i-
GENTLY guarded in his conversation.
told him was his lawyer.
"Ah!" said he, in IL listless tone, rs ii
1t were matter OF perfect Indifference to
him. "Appointed for me. I have no
money to fee u lawyer"
''No,' said [. Exclaimed by 4 wealthy
and influential friend" said |, cautious
ly.
He looked up, suddenly II light flashed
over his pale features, but he did not
speak.
"a lady" added |, who has conlidcd
| y
trank-tcll me ALL
He cast sharp, suspicious glance AT
ne, Us II he feared | was trying to get
him to make some admissions.
'IIer story is true said he, ''if she has
told you all it is useless for me to add
morc''
''How unfortunate" said |, ''that it is
impossible TO prove the alibi without
compromising her.
His countenancc did not betray the
least consciousness.
II will never compromise her." said
he, after Il pause ''She has always beer
Il friend to me--is the best friend | have
in the world now-I would Il great dea
rather have everything come TO the worst
than say anything to injurc her.
"Anything you might say to me will
not iniurc her, and if you should be per
fectly frank with me, | might be able tc
see some light--sometlng on which tt
organize my defense. For, to be candle
with you, it is very dark looking pros
pect tor you. Could you not relate tn,
occurrences of that night - something
about the murder-by which l might ial
on some clue to the murder, some motive
for the crime
''No! y said he, with q faint shud
der. 81 cannot, dare not think of it, pass
ing his hand over his brow, rs if to shu
out some horrid sight; che had alway
been kind to me''-brcaking off into in
coherent murmurs.
Could this be guilt or natural emo
ton ?
And so, without any more light thai
this, l was forced to go into my defense
Never had Il case that batllcd me more
Generally | make up my mind almos
Immediately rs to the guilt or innoccnc
Of my clients, and am almost alway
right by q kind Of intuition.
But now | could not decide to my owl
satisfaction. | only knew my duty wa
to defend my client, and make the mos
of my slender plca-thc absence of al
possible motive.
But much did | fear that by some un
toward accident, the secret of their guilt
love might escape, Us such things are s.
hard to elude all eyes, and | knew if tina
should be the case, nothing in the worl'
could save him. especially feared tina
} when she appeared in court rs witness
that the selt-control of one or the othe