The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1881-03-13
CHAPTER VI.

Already the trial of Edward Leighton
for the murder of Luther Tenniel had
lasted some days, the greater portion OF
which had been taken up with the usual
tedious prcliminaries, the scnseess system
under which our jurics are organized ad.
ding UNNECESSARILY to the delay. Mr..
Hughes the district attorney, had made
his opening speech in n manner that
showed he was determined to add TO his
already wide reputation as criminal law.
yer; the more formal witnesses, the person
who had found Leighton lying outside the
bank, the policeman who had arrested him,
the iircmen who had rescued Mr.. Tenniel's
remains from the burning building, the
medical experts who had made the autopsy,
a specimen of the genus gamin who had,
in his determination 10 be where he had
no business to be, followed close on the
liremcns' heels and been rewarded for his
audacity by discovering the revolver which
Leighton had held in his hand when he
swoOncd away beside the corpse Of hissup-
posed victim, all of these had been duly
examined, as well as one or two persons
who had seen Leighton after his discharge
from the bank, and who testified as to the
prisoners excited dcmcanor, declaring, in
answer to Mr.. Hughes persistent ques-
tiOning, that he seemed 10 them at that
time like man who was bound to do
something desperate. On this day, how.
ever, the public excitement attendant upon
the trial was at its height for, prior to the
noon recess, the fact had been elected in
the course Of some discussion between the
opposing lawyers and the judge, that Mr..
Richard Courtney and Mrs and Miss Ten.
mel were the only remaining witnesses for
the prosecution, and also, that twas expect.
ed that the testimony Of these three wit.
ncsscs would occupy the remainder of the
day after recess.
The court had adjourned until two y. m,
but fifteen minutes prior to that hour, the
courtroom was crowded, Many persons
present during the forenoon had not left
the courtroom at all, fearing lest they
might be unable 10 secure equally good
places for the afternoon, and many others
who had not been present earlier were now
rapidly assembling, attracted by the rumor
of the impending examination of those i'm.
pOrtant witnesses whose connection with
the case was Of so peculiarly interesting
and romantic character AS the hour
approached, the officials of the court took
their places, the lawyers for the defense
were seen for n few moments in earnest
conversation, and then chatting unconccrn.
edly with some Of their conlrcres includ.
ing the district attorney, who had just
made his appearance. About the same
time carriage drew up at the entrance of
the court house, and Mrs Tcnnlel and
Helen, both clad In deepest mourning,
alightcd, and, attended by Mr.. Merton
Courtney and his son Richard, entered the
building. BY some obscrvant onlookcrs, IL
was remarked that the younger gentleman
FASTENED to offer his arm TO the elder lady,
leaving the young girl to the attention of
his father; but they were probably unaware
Of the delicacy that prompted the action.
AS they were about to enter the building,
Richards quick eye had noticed group
advancing from the end of the long CORR.
dor leading from the jail.yard, and had
correctly surmised that their party would
meet the prisoner on his way TO tho court.
room. Leighton had been unable TO oh.
Tain bail, and although the deputies who
escorted him had usually treated him with
INC greatest lcnicncy, finding him most
uactabe prisoner, yet an indiscrcct remark
made by him that morning In the bitter
tone OF man who realized tha, all chance