The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1877-12-27

pfOuOuuccO n1Ill OAUly, DuC not u8H"
gerously wounded. Search for the
assassin was made, but no trace could
be found, and the whole affair was
wrapped in the deepest mystery.
Young Leroy had no enemies, and
why his life was attempted in SO cow
ardly q manner, was beyond the con-
lecture of the excited neighborhood.
For long time his life seemed to
have hung upon a thread. Inez watch
ed over him with solicitude that was
almost painful. She administered to
his every want, no one denying her
the privilege. At length the physician
pronounced the crisis passed. Still
Walter seemed no better. On the con-
trary he grew weaker and weaker.and
finally the lamp OF life went out alto
gether. His last breath was spent in
bestowing benediction on Inez. The
girl appeared stunned she uttered no
word /; she shed no tears.
At the request of Mr.. Morton post
mortem examination was made. and q
terrible discovery ensued. The physi-
clans unanimously agreed that Walter
Leroy had not died from the effects OF
the wound but from the result of slow
poison, which had been introduced
into his food and medicine surrepti.
tiously.
A season of intense excitement fol-
lowed. A detective was sent for, who
arrived soon after the funeral, aud sci
to work in earnest. The servants
were questioned together and sepa-
rately: but they knew nothing. Inez
told what she knew of the case, con-
cealing nothing, and Mr.. Morton gave
his version with equal candOr. The
detective then went away.
! One week later, Mr.. Morton became
suddenly i'll. The disease bafiied the
skill of the most profound physicians,
and in spite of medical care he died.
The day his remains were consigned
to the dust, and the day ths, witnessed
the fulfilment of Inez Opher's hopes,
for he bequea,hed the bulk of his for
tune to her, also saw her direst dis.
tress aud humiliation. For she was
arrested and held for trial on the
cha,gs OF po sOning her uncle an
Waller Leroy. Amid intense excite
Incnt the girl was conveyed from her
sumptuous home to the dismal Jail in
the neighboring town. Her mother
Was permitted to accompany her. The
county rang with the story of the
| double crime, aud public sentiment
rang strong against the wretched girl.
In due time the trial occurred. The
prosecution occupied two days in ex-
amining witnesses. The testimony,
though purely elrcumstantiai, was
most damaging. The houscmaid tes-
titled that she had heard Mr.. Morton
tell Inez that after he was dead she
could follow her own inclination !; und
ON this point the prosecution laid great
stress vial had been found hidden
in Inez's room, which it was claimed
contained the poison. In short every
thing looked dark for the prisoner.
But just as the prosecution was pre-
pairing to open the case, a man pusued
his way through the crowd that packed
the court room, and made his way to
the judges seat.
Il want to testify in this case,' he
said, In loud voice.
After some discussion he was sworn
He said his name was Guy Barton.
THAT W oman. said he, pointing TO
Inez,' if my wife. We were secretly
married more than year rgo, and, it
has been fatal union. She is guilt
less of this crime. She has no concep.
ton of SIM
He paused. A death-like silence
reigned throughout the room. He
raised q vial to his lips, drank it's con-
tents, and said
Il committed that crime. had in
tended that she should suffer for it;
but at the last moment repented and
came here to confess all. need not
detail how crept into the house and
made sure of my victims, how sought
and succeeded III casting suspicion on
an innocent woman. 1t is enough to
know that am the murderer! Gen.
tlemen, l haven't long to live, have
swallowed deadly poison and am
now beyond human power. T.
He staggered as he spoke, and drop
ped into a seat. He had played for re.
venge, had won; and vet had aided !
justice to triumph.
A wild scene followed scene |
which our pen is too feeble to depict. |
so we will draw a veil over it. With
IN au hour Guy Barton was dead, and |
Inez was free. But the memory of the |
dreadful peril into which her first |
false step led her was never banished
from her mind.
A BENEVOLENT grocer, seeing /
skeleton of a cat slink across the shop, t
bawled out to his boy: Didn't l tell
you TO feed that cat pound of beef u /
day till she fattened up?' You did,
and gave her pound of beef this
morning. you did, eh? Gimme |
that cat The cat was placed upon |
the scales and found to weigh exactly
pound. 'All right, my boy said the
grocer; 'there's your pound of bee,
but where's your cat?'
A PROSPECTIVE father.in.law in
Paris makes inquiries concerning his
prospective son-in-law of q friend.
The replies are of the most satisfacto-
ry character, till the friend says frank. |
ly, Still must admit that he has one |