The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1874-09-29
would not believe that the pistol was aoci.

"That is also my opinion, and can you
do nothing to save my life-my innocent
life, Richard for be assured that rather
than guiltless man shall perish through
my deed, will denounce myself as the
slayer of Robert Masters. You have rep
utation for lawyer-craft," )" she added, "and
money shall not be wanting"
"Thero is no possibility of obtaining an
acquittal," said Penson, "except by hav-
ing recourse to perilous devices that In
short, see no chance of successful de-
fense."
"You once loved me, Richard Penson,"
said Judith Morton, in low, agitated
voice, cor at least you said you did"
"Once loved you-said 1 did % echoed
Penson.
"I know not what to say" continued
Judith, as if unheeding his words, and with
eyes bent on the ground "Harpur can
never be, as told you, more to me than he
is now-I have reason, indeed, to believe
that he has no wish to be faithful, as yet,
as he has proved to his promise not to be-
tray me and it may be, Richard-it may
be, say-though that, begin to think,
will have slight weight with you-that-
that gratitude might lead me to reward, to
return the devotion to which should be
indebted for the preservation of my young
life."
"Judith-Judith Morton r' gasped Pen
son, edo not drive me mad p
"Make no rash promises, Richald, to
incur peril for my sake" said Judith Nor
ton, rising from her chair "by tomorrow
morning you will have thought the matter
calmly over. 1 will call about ten O'Clock,
and you can then tell me if l can count or
not upon effectual help from you. Good
night"
She was gone; but not till her purpose
had been thoroughly accomplished. Rich
ard Penson's resolution was taken, and
before he threw himself upon his bed that
night, his eager and practiced brain had
elaborated plan-audacious, and full of
peril to himself an acquittal
might be, with almost certainty, insured.
81 do it'-it was thus he CLOSED the
scheme to his own conscience" do it to
save her life-her young and innocent life,
as she truly says, and will take care that
no harm shall ultimately befall Blundell.
He will have abundant means of self-vindi-
cation when-when and Judith are safe
beyond the Atlantic"
The clocks were Ginning ten when Ju-
dith Morton entered the young attorneys
office on the following morning. "There
is more than hope, there is triumph, safety
in your look" she said, ungloving her
hand, and extending it to Penson.
"Yes, Judith he replied, "I have de-
termined upon running all risks to extri-
cate you from this peril. And first the
watch-a description of which ! shall, as
the prisoners attorney, take care to adver-
tise by-and-by-have you it with youP'
eyes here it is but what is it you pro-
pose doingP"
"That, dear Judith, must be excused
for not disclosing. Success depends upon
close secrecy. Twill, however, see Harpur
as his professional adviser, without delay,
and assure him-for his continued silence
is paramountly essential--that an acquittal
is certain, but not of the means of procur-
ing it-stone walls having ears, as they
say-and indiscretion being as fatal as
treachery."
" No evil will fall upon any innocent per-
son ?" asked the young woman.
"No permanent evil-of that be assur-
ed" replied Penson. This was about all
that passed between the confederates, and
few minutes afterward Judith Morton
took leave, and was soon on her way
home.
Harpur's trial came on during the March
Assize, at Appleby, and as the case had
excited much interest in the county, the
Crown Court was densely crowded. The
witnesses for the prosecution were not
asked single question by the counsel in
structed by Penson for the defense till it
came to the turn Of the last and only i'm
portant one, James Blundell. The cross
examination Of this man was from the first
a menacing one, and the hush Of the excl
ted auditory deepened into painful intensity
as it became evident, from the stern ques-
tioning of the counsel, that the defense in
tended to be set up was, that the deceased
had met his death at the hand of the wit
ness, not Of the prisoner. 1t was elected
from Blundell, though with much difficulty,
that he was in embarrassed circumstances,
considerably in debt to the deceased, with