The Princeton union., 1879-03-19

quarrel, DuC DaVlQ ana h0n0lQ l8Q; Tor
both of them fell in love with bonnie
Maggie Faulder-just as mad in love as
two such proud, set-in- their.own.w fel-
lows were like to be. Maggie kind of
favored David, and Renald swore if he
married her, he might be dirk with the
wedding ring.
"Then old Faulder sent Maggie away
to some southwark friends, and David
and Ranald went on to the roll of his
attorneys, and both of them set
tied down to pleading causes and attend
ing to other peoples business.
! ''But they were always watching one
another; and when David was put up for
some rich county Office clerk of the rolls,
think Ranald was furious. and spent
both time and gold freely in order to de-
feat him. I suppose he did it. Any
how, his opponent, James Laing, won,
and David was out of place and pocket.
Soon after, James Laing, was found dead
in his Office, with dirk through his
throat. - ....... ...'-,
suspicion gathered swiftly and Ger
tainly around David McMaister. He
was, as I have said before, a passionate
and proud man. It could not be denied
that he had spoken very bitterly of his
opponent, and many a threat uttered in
anger was now remembered against him.
''His arrest and imprisonment seemed
almost to deprive him of his Senses He
denied his guilt in the most solemn terms,
out could give no account of himself dur
ing the hour in which the murder had
been committed, except that he had been
in liquor in his own room. This apology
added little to his defense; and many,
even of his intimate acquaitances, be-
lieved him to be guilty. .. .
"Probably because of the we'll known
hatred between the men, the prosecution
elected Ranald McNair to conduct their
case. Netting so exciting as this trial
had agitated every circle of society since
the landing OF Prince Charlie. Houses
were divided, friends quarreled, and i'm
mense bets were laid on It's issue.
''While it was pending Maggie Faul-
der returned, and Ranald was now doub-
lv anxious for the success Of his prosecu-
ton. 1t was wonderful what acumen
and industry and eloquence he brought
to bear on it. His summing up and
final speech electrified everv one. There
was solemn and awful stir of applause
at its close, and everybody considered the
verdict settled.
But the judge was a just and mercifu
man, and he did not put the question to
the jury that night; he thought, you see,
that it was only fair to let the men have
time to look at both sides coolly. Still,
Ranald was sure of his verdict, and great
~ elated at the sensation he had made,
especially as Mr.. Faulder stopped to con-
gratulate him; and even the beautiful
Maggie, pale and fearful as she was, fall
| tered out some words which he took fol
compliment.
| 'He had his dinner in his own cham.
bers, and then m reflection after his own
heart passed several hours. In them he
fell asleep, for toward midnight he wa:
aroused by shake so powerful that hi
would have leaped to his feet, only tina
two brawny hands held him tight in hi
chair.
"ln a moment his senses were all alert
and he saw: bending over him, a gigan
tic Highlander, in whose thews he knew
even his strength would be as that of
baby.
"'You are Campbell, I know by you
plaid. Now what do you want with me-
asked Ranald, iercely,
"'Sit still, and don't move an inch
while tell you. I killed James Laing
I killed him because, while he was shoot
ing on the braes of Angus last year, b
wronged my sister so deeply that be
hooved to kill her too. I watched unit
all his new followers had gone; then
walked into his room and put my dir
through his throat. I had wrongs t
right, and righted them; but the ma
you spoke against to-day knows nothin
of the matter. I don't want to murde
him too. Tell the police that the ma
who killed James Laing is Alexande
Campbell. They can look for him i
Butte; maybe they will find him, and may
be they will not
"Wlthout another word he was gon'
and Ranald was too shocked to detail
him, even if he had the power. Howe,
er, he made no spontaneous effort, an
when reflection came he determined ne
his triumph; he knew the temper Of poE
ular feeling, and was sure that David
innocence assured, David would becom
the popular idol. He had labored fc
his ruin-bow could he now give up hi
object9 And then he thought of MnggV
and that though decided him.
No, nothing should now induce him t
retrace his steps.
"The next morning in court he ha
another chance to clear his soul. Th
prisoner had received from some perso
in the press paper assuring him ths
Rarald had been notified of his innocence
and would proclaim it in the cour
David begged the officer to pass this pa
per over to Ranald, and he eagerly scar
ned his face while he read it. The tw
; enemies looked moment into each ott
sr's eyes, and then Ranald, with
a scornful Smile, tore the paper int
fragments.
$50 David was sentenced that day, an
in due time hung with all the Gil
cumstances of barbarity and indignit,
then common to the last act of the Law
If Ranald felt himself a murderer, h
did not show it, and no visible judgmen
fo lowed his crime. He rose rapidly i