The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1880-05-25


she had recognized tho voice for his. She
did not know how exactly, but was none
the less sure for that.
There had been rlmor about that some
one had heard Antonio make boast OF
having "done for Blake this time" but il
there were witness for this he could no,
be found now.
And so the prosecution CLOSED.
The Galveston lawyer began by involv.
ing in whirlpool Of hopeless contradic.
ton, the witness who had sworn to having
| seen GHeldo near Blake's house. Then he
eXpatiatcd OIL the csse with which one per.
son may be mistaken for another, and
brought witness TO show how GueldC
had already been said to resemble someone
In the village. Finally, he produced three
OF the ill-conditioncd fellows before referred
to, who swore that Antonio was with them
on hunting expedition during the VIII ole
of the day on which the murder was COM
mittcd.
II was clear case of alibi. Jake
Smiths astonishment ut the case will,
which the thing had been accomplished
was unboundrd. lie threw dlsgusted
look towards Pitblado, but the judge was
nonplussed, und didn't seem to be intor-
cstcd with things in Jakc's vicinity.
Gentlemen of the jury" said he, "things
has took a turn didn't altogether cxpec'.
l don't know as there's much to be said. I
suppose you've got to go by the evidence,
an that don't need any oxplainin'. Ef
you kin make out accordin' ter that, that
Antonio Gueldo killed Jem Blake, why,
just recolect, that's what yer here fur"
Tho jury filed out, and the expcctant
audience occupied itself with tobacco and
whispering comments.
Jake Smith fidgetcd about Oh his box,
and cast anxious glanccs through the open
door towards tho clump Of nopals where
the jury were delibcrating.
Antonio talked and laughed in an under
tone with his counsel, and Blake's widow
sat staring at them with compressed lips,
and strong expression Of determination
co.ning into her face.
It wasn't long before the Jury filed in
again, all seating themselves by the spokss.
man, and Judge Pitblado rose wiping his
forehead with his shirt sleeve
"Straightened it out, have yer?" asked
he, nodding to the Spokesman.
The man nodded slowly in return.
'Wal les have it then"
eyer soc" said the spokesman, with u
hcsitating and disappointed air, "ef yer
hadn't corralled us with sticlSin' ter the
evidence, wo might done better, but ac-
cordin' ter that, Antonio wasn't thar when
the murder was done, an of he warn't
thar, he couldn't done it, an Of he didn't
do it, why-then-of course he's-not
guilty"
Pitblado didn't dare to look at any
body; he stared up at the raiters down
at the table-nowhcre in particular; and
then turned halfway towards Antonio.
"iou kin CO." sald he, speaking with
great deibcration, ''but | wouldn't stay
round here too long"
There was dead pause for Il moment,
and nobody moved.
Jake Smith explodcda single expressive
word which he had held in for some time
past, and Blake's widow stood up.
'1iave you got through, judge2" she
asked.
"Wal-I-s'posc So"
"And there is nothing more to be
done ?"
'Im afraid ther aint."
"And he's free to go2"
"Y-a-a-s"
Antonio Gucldo rose with an insolcnt
grin, and picked up his hat.
The baby crowed, for it saw the glitter
ing thing again.
There was sharp rcport--Autonio
pitched forward in heap upon the floor,
and Blake's widow stood with the pistol
pressed to her breast.
A line of clear blue smoke curlcd up
from the muzzle of the weapon, and
formed halo around the child's Naxcn
head. The glitlering thing was quite
near the little hands now, and they took it
from tho yielding grasp Of the mother.
Blakc's widow looked steadily at the
figure Oh the floOr-it was quite motonless
then she turned, and went through the
wide passage opcnel for her by the silent
crowd, holding the baby very tenderly,
and the baby carrying The pistol.
The child laughed with delight; it had
got lis shining plaything at last.