Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1878-04-23

| nursed him but he would not permit
me to administer the medicine he brought
with him. There were two bottles. one
of which was labeled poison He hinted
| might make mistake in the draught.
Two hours ago, after drinking deeply he
arose from his bed to get his draught. |
told him it was not time. Lifting his
hand he struck me. He reeled to the
mantslpiece, and took up the phial."
She showed the spot alluded to, and
resumed;
Il would have arrested his hand-for
he had taken the wrong bottle. He
turned upon me with a curse. Recoiling.
stood as stone. All the misery, and
bitter insults, had suffered, occurred TO
me. still lelt the pain Of the recent
blow, and remained motionle.s | saw
him fill the glass-attor declaring that
he would sleep well Tor this night, at
least-raised it to his lips, aud drank Of
the fatal draught which laid him where
he is.'
She could say no more. save, II sm
at your mercy-ssve me~
unfortunate woman p exclaimed the
kind-hearted doctor. Never vas man
in such terrible position What am /
to do ?r
The door was thrown OPEN Il man OF
dark vissge appeared on the threshold.
Your duty, DR.. Rowe!" be said. with
an authoritative air. Samuel Ashforth
is the victim of foul play. and there
pointing to the wife-"is his destroyer y
The miserable woman fell to the
ground in swoon.
An inquest was held, at which the un-
happy woman had 10 appear. None
knew her well; but those who knew her
best were amazed 10 see how much
she had aged and altered in a few weeks.
She was sad and calm, aud told the same
story she had rccounted 10 DR.. Rowe,
avowing that she had hoped By sending
for DR.. Stone, young practitioner, that
he would have given the certificate with.
out discovering the cause ol death. She
was asked IT she had any witnessee 10
confirm her statement. and replied in the
negative
Had not her sister been with her at
the time ?n
NO; she had called tha, day. having
come to say goodbye, IS she was leav-
ing Tor California; but, finding Mr.. Ash
forth at home. and offended at his insults,
she had Quilted the place a! once. deter
mined never to see him again"
where had she gone ?"
ITO San Francisco; where she was
governess.
Her own testimony pointed to her az
guilty, and she was committed for trial.
Dr.. Rowe was the only one who visi ed
her. He was much affected by her story.
lie procured her counsel. about which
she seemed Indifferent, while she refused
to tell him her family name aud address.
The trial came on. The chief witness
against the wife was the pur5lind old
servant. who spoke with snimosity and
with vindictiyeness-acc for, per-
haps, by the fact OF his having had long
interview with Samuel Asforth'S nephew.
the counterpart OF himself, and the heir
to his uncle's property il tho wife were
removed.
The last moment arrived. The jury
returned to their places; the foreman
had uttered the fatal word Guilty. with
. recommendation TO mercy. The pris-
oner rose 10 receive her sentence, when
shrill voice rang through the court and
a female figure, her hair banging loose
ly over her shoulders, rushed forward 10
the dock and extended her arms to the
prisoner, who bent down TO her. Then
a striking likeness was revealed only the
last conner was prettier. fairer, younger
and more delicate.
"Estelle, why are you here ?"
ITO save you, my darling!' answered
the girl. passionately clasping the others
hsnds.
Gentlemen she continued, "this is
my sister; all she has stated is true-she
is innocent If any one is guilty, it is /
for | was Samuel Ashforth's wiiew
She had scarcely concluded when she
fell in swoon upon the floor.
Carried to the Judges room, her sister
was allowed TO attend her; and while
there the prisoner owned that she had
spoken falsely.
~ am Estele's sister, shd not Mrs.
Ashforth. As / stated. when speaking
OF myself in tho third person, had ar
rived to take leave OF her before leaving
for California, when found her husband
at home. was preparing to quit the
house at the very moment that my poor
darling rushed into the room, telling me
what Mr.. Ashforth had done. and that
he was dead. She was in such q state
of terror that feared her manner would
bring suspicion on herself were she seen
therefore, aware that she was not much
known, persuaded her to take my
place and leave me. who was calmer, in