The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1875-05-15

words OF love.
"NoIlv | love YOU dearly, and it would be
the happIicst day 70 my lite when / coul cal
Won mine; but, darling you know that l am
noor, and your father may object to my suit
Gerald, don't you know father better THAI
tbato He is not the man to offer any OppOSl
ton to my happiness when he knows lhat ii
whom love is worthy Of the best girl in Ire
land"
"Bless you, my darling. for your words
have made me very happy
ut is the truth have spoken; and rs Ion
YOU being poor, haven't got enough for Us
both"
This was 100 much for the caycsdroppcr
he ground his teeth with rage, ana an Oath
escaped his lips, yet he kept his temper, ana
waited to hear more of their conversation, ioi
he lay concealed among the shrubbery leW
feet from where the lovers were seated ana
heard every word of their conversation.
For some time longer they remained seated
at their conversation, and al length as the
shadows of approaching night began 10 s.en'
across the tree tops, they arose ana separa,cu'
Molly going toward the house, while oNon,
ner went leisurcy through the Sweetscehleu
meadows toward the river bank.
No sooner had they parted than Anthony
Bell for such was the listeners name arose
| from his place of cOnccalmeGt, and, shaklng
his clenched fist at the retiring form OF ms
successful rival, Kissed through his clencheu
teeth
Course you, you low lived upstart! But |
will blacken you in her sight; aye, even II l.
|have to stain my hands in blood to DO so!
And as he ceased to speak he stuffed his
hands in his trowscrs' pockets and strobe
fcrccly from the place
A month had passed away and the shades
of Tranquility rested over the little village OF
Ballygen, when one beautiful autumn even
! Ing its slumbering inhabitants were awaken.
ed from their bissful reposc by the cry OF
'Murdcrm
Murder. The terrible word seemed to be
echoed from the surrounding hills and filled
the hearts of the people with awe.
And too true were the awful tdings; hend-
ish murder had been committed, and the vic
tim was Godfrey Blake.
And the murderer; he was found bent over
the PROSTATE form of his victim with blood
stained dagger in his hand-Gerald OCOn-
ner, the lover of his daughter-and was now
safely lodged in prison.
Another man was found lying almost dead
a little way off where the crime was commit
ted, with aterrlble wound in his head. He
was farm hand of Mr.. Blakc's and was con
veyed to his home.
The terror which filled the people when
the terrible deed had reached them, had now
passed away, and desire to be avenged on
the murderer had taken its place. and fore
most IN his Indignation was Anthony Bell,
who urged them on in their wrath, and were
it not that the prisoner was removed to the
county Jail, the probability Is that he would
have been hung without trial of judge or
jury
Two weeks after the burial Of Mr. Blake
the trial WAS to take place, and on the even
ing before the fixed day Gerald OConner sat
10 his cell, his head resting on his hands.
Only two weeks since his arrest, and what
a change had come over him In that short
time; every trace of color had left his checks,
and his eyes were sunk in their sockets.
"Oh. God what have ever done to meet
this terrible torture that is killing me? the
murderer Of Godfrey Blake, II man whom
would shed the last drop OF my blood to serve.
No, no! There is some terrible mistake
made; for he was dead when discovered him
with dagger buried in his heart. And the
people all believe that anu guilty OF SO foul
a crime. Poor mother, what agony must she
not be suffering; and Molly, oh, heavens
does she too think me guilty.
His head sank lower, his chest heavcd with
emotion and the great Sobs that escaped him
depicted the agony which he suffered
lie did not hear the bolt Of the cell door
shoot back, nor was he aware that any one en-
tered till hand was laid on his shoulder
and voice SAID
Gerald!
He raised his head like one Awaking from
a dream
Gerald, don't you know mc?' asked his
visitor rs no sign OF recognition was evin.
ccd by him.
Yes Molly, | do, ~ he answered in mourn
full accents, land dOyou believe me guilty OF
this terrible crime? Ii so, how came you tOI
seek the presence ofone whom you believed
TO be The murderer of your iather?'
ooh, Gerald how can you accuse me so p
| believe You 10 be guilty no, am sure
you that you never committed the crime OF
which you stand accused. Trust in him who
knows all, and he will not let the innocent
suffer for the guilty
Your words Tighten the terrible load that
lies on my heart and make it easier tor me toll
bear; but the evidence it SO strong against me
that it is mockery to hope. | have made
up my mind that am to be made the victim
to atone for crime of which am falsely
accused
"Do not give way TO despair, for God will
not permit YOU to suffer for the crime of
another; and now, as the time Is up and |
hear the jailor coming, | must leave you, so
goodbye for tonight and she pressed his
cold hand in her own.
Good night, Molly, and may God bless
you"
The morning cane calm and beautiful
the morning of the day ON which Gerald
q (unuur Vt~ 10 be tried for his liic-tricd
for II murder IA. never committed
The hOLr for trial had come, the prisoner
vas led up the aisle Of the crowded court
room, and plCced in the dock.
The prosecuting attorney opened the case
in behalf of The crown, and witnesses were
eXamined.
Anthony Bell was the principal witness for
the prosecution. lie testified to having found
! O'COnnor bent over the murdered man with
II blood stained dagger in his hand saw him
| plunge 1t into the murdered man. breast
| Other witnesses testified TO the same with
the exception of the stabbing, and the prose
cuton closed.
The attorney for the defence opened the