New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-04-30

entirely unknown to even you," her eyes
falling, her voice hesitating.
There is an old saying tell the truth to
your physician and your lawyer If am to
move It all in this matter require all the
light possible" said /.
'sThen, if it will assist Arthur-young
Morton-I will be frank with you, but it
must be entirely confidential. lido not care
for myself, but it would be ruin to him and
to his case if it were known that of all the
world interested myself in the saving Of his
ife-I am Mrs. Leroy" ;,
"YOuw exclaimed /, thrown off my guard
for once, 1.-THE wife Of the murdered man.
And you wish to defend hie murderer = 4,
HE did not murder him, Mr.. Neville
exclaimed she, excitedly, her eyes spark
ling. He is not capable of it. know him
too well-poor fellow-he is as mild and
gentle as q child. Must he he hunted to the
death Z" exclaimed she, more paseionately.
and vet in suppressed tone, fearful of being
overheard, "because circumstances place
him in q suspicious position
Sparkling drops flew to her ewes, out she
dashed them aside. "Mr. Neville, said she.
turning to me appealingly, can l not do
anything to save him e
Madam" said sternlv, for the light had
broken in on my mind, 'dOes not this emo
ton on your part speak of q warmer, ten
derer feeling between yOus Does not that
supply the motive-the missing motive
Talk not to rue of his gentleness and inOf
fensivenese; love transforms the mildest
character. If this is known, nothing in the
world can save him."
"But it Is not known" cried she. "Mr.
Neville, you will not refuse to untertake
the case 7" wringing her slender hands as
she looked anxiously into my face.
could not answer. A lawyer is accus-
toned to all the dark phases of human life.
| = Y \
not wish to undertake this, and yet how
could refuse this wOmanf
"Do not refuse me-" cried she, rising to
her feet "Hou can, and you must save his
life." as l paced the floor. sit Is al my
fault: he loved me, but not more than I
loved him. l was his temptress at first,
and can not, can not see him dragged to
death in consequence of my mad love. He
is innocent Of this crime; ! know it; can
coherently. at is impossible he should
have been guilty, for he was with me when
the murder took place."
Ipaused in my excited walk across the
floor, and fixed my eyes keenlv on her face.
Was that true, or wa6e she willing to swear
to anything to save her lovers life7
.'How was I" said 1, at length. Tell
me the whole truth"
at was bright, moonlight night" said
she, more calmly, "when / went out that
night. The house to which 1 was going was
in sight, 80 did not need any escort. staid
but q few moments. About half way there
was q group Of trees at the roadside which
cast dense shadow across the road. Re
turning, l met Arthur there as I had before.
agreed. When reached home found my
husband dead. Mr.. Neville, he was MUIR
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 atten-
ton keenly, using all my knowledge of HUI
man nature to discover if she was telling
the exact truth. and was forced to con-
clude, as far as was judge, she evidently
believed what she was saying.
"You will undertake the case" said she,
as keenly studying my cOuntenance.
EYES," eaid l, after a few moments'
thought, II will see and converse with him
first.S
"Thank You; God bless you," said she,
seeming to he assured of his escape if un-
dertook to clear him.
II am obliged to you for your confidence
in my ability" said 1, ''but do net be too
sanguine, appearances are very much against
him."
II know it: but you will save him, if any
one can; and if you will do go, you can
name your own reward. But l must go;
good night" and che vanished abruptly.
The next day, as soon as l could conve-
niently, called upon the young man in his
cell.
found him as had been led to expect,
rather boyish and effeminate looking, moth
ing about him that would indicate one who
would commit violent deed.
He was handsome. with the delicate fea-
tnree the fine soft hair and pure, fair COM
plexion that betokened a refined organiza-
ton, and there was the dreamy, distracted
air about him Of a student or poet.
soon discovered that the woman had the
strongest mind; but impractical and boyish
as he was, he at least was sufficiently
guarded in his conversation. l told him I
was his lawyer.
s.Ah" said he, in listless tone, as if it
were q matter of perfect indifference to
him. appointed for me. Ihave no money
to fee q lawyer"
.No,n said l. "Retained by wealthy
and influential friend" said I, cautiously.
He looked up, suddenly light flashed
over his pale features, but he did not
speak.
"A lady" added /, "who has confided
all to me; now it is your turn. to be as
frank-tell me all {"
He cast sharp, suspicious glance at me.
as if he feared was trying to get him to
make some admissions -.-s
'.Her story is true" said he. eff she has
told you all; it is useless for me to add
more"
"How unfortunate" said I. "that it is
impossible to prove the alibi without COM
promising her"
His countenance did not betray the least
consciousness.
81 will never compromise her." said he.
after q pause. "She has always been a
friend to me-is the best friend have in
the world now-I would great deal rather
have everything come to the WORST than say
anything to injure her"
"Anything y0u might say to me will not
injure her, and if you should be perfectly
frank with me, I might be able to see some
light-something on which to organize my
defense. For. to be candid with you, it is
very dark-looking prospect for you. Could
you not relate the occurrences of that
night-something about the murder-by
which might fall on some clue to the muir
der, some motive for the crime"
"No! nor said he, with faint shudder,
~ can not, dare not think of it," passing
his hand over his brow, az if to shut out
some horrid sight, "he had always been
kind to me"-breaking off into incoherent
murmurs.
Could this be guilt or natural emotion!
And so, without any more light than this,
l was forced to 60 into my defense. Never
had /! case that baff1ed me more. Generally
l make up my mind almost Immediately as
to the guilt or innocence Of my clients, and
am almost always right by kind of intui-
But now could not decide to my own
satisfaction. l only knew nav duty was to
defend my client, and make the most of nv
slender plea-the absence of all possible