The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1883-02-10

TtltN SOON tneTe was SUI AT the
door, then a murmur of surprise ran
through the crowded room.
MAY be cursed,n said Jake Smith,
audibly," ii she hasn't brought her
babym
WHAT reason she may have had for
not leaving the little thing in charge of
some sympathizing woman-and there
were plenty who would have been glad
of the trust-was not apparent; however
| that might be, there it was, clasped
| firmly in her arms, its bright red cheeks
contrasting with her whiteness, and its
fathers sunny hair mingling with her
| dark locks.
With some difficulty way was made
through the throng TO her seat, which
had been placed ON one side of the
Ju ige, directly opposite the candle-b box
on the other, where Antonio sat. She
| took her place and never moved during
the whole of the trial. excepting as she
was required to testify, and once when
the baby tugged at some glistening
thing that lay hidden in the folds of her
dress, at which she took pains to distract
its attention with chip from the floor,
As for the baby, it sat there with its big
blue eyes open. to there fullest extent,
entirely absorbed in the novel scene,
save at the moment when that irresistible
glitter caught its eye.
Every one being now present, the trial
went on in good earnest. A number of
witnesses were examined, whose testi-
mony showed that Gueldo had had
trouble with Blake, and more than once
threatened his life; that Gueldo's pistol
had one charge empty on the evening OF
the day of the murder. whereas in the
morning it had been full; that he was
seen that morning around Blake house,
and more than that, Blake's widow had
heard Gueldo's voice just before the
| fatal shot, and had seen his retreating
| form as she ran out.
At this last point the Galveston lawyer
asked the witness few questions re-
garding how she knew it was Gueldo's,
and how she had recognized che voice
for his. She didn't know how exactly,
but was none the less sure for that.
There had been rumor about that
some one had heard Antonio make
boast of having "done for Blake this
time" but if there were witness for
this he could not 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 hav-
ing seen Gueldo near Blake's house.
Then he expatiated on the ease with
which one person may be mistaken for
another, and brought witness to show
how Gueldo had already been said to
resemble some one in the village.
Finally he produced three of the i'll con-
ditioned fellows before referred TO, who
swore that Antonio was with them on
hunting expedition during the whole of
the day on which the murder was COM
mitted.
1t was u clear case of dN6i. Jake
Smiths establishment at the ease with
which the thing had been accomplished
look towards Pitblado, but the Judge was
nonplussed and didn't seem to be
interested with things in Jake's vicinity.
Gentlemen OF the jury said he,
s'things has took turn | didn't
altogether expec' don know as there's
much to be said. spese you've got to
90 by the evidence, an that don't need
any explainin'. Eff you kin make out,
accordin' ter that, that Antonio Gueldo
killed Jem Blake, why, jest recolieot
that's what yer here fur"
Jake Smith fidgeted about ON his box
and cast anxious glances through the
open door towards the clump OF nopals
where the jury were celebrating
Antonio talked and laughed in an
undertone with his counsel, and Blake's
widow sat staring at them with compress
ed lips and strong expression OF deter
mination coming into her face.
1t wasn't long before the jury filed in
again, all seating themselves but the
spokesman, and Judge Pitblado rose,
wiping his forehead with his shirt-sleeve.
Strengthened it out, have yer?" asked
he, nodding to the spokesman.
The man nodded slowly in return.
Eyer see," said the spokesman, with.a
hesitating and disappointed air, 'ef yer
hadn't a-corralled us with stickin' ter
the evidence we might "a done better,
but accordin' to that Antonio wasn't
thar when the murder was done, an eff
he waren't thar he couldn't "a done it.;
an eff 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 rafters, down
at the table, nowhere in particular, and
then turned halfway towards the prison.
er.
you kin co. said he at last, and
with great deliberation, ''bur don't stay
round here too long"
There was dead pause, during which
nobody moved.
Jake Smith exploded single cuss-
word, which he hal in for some time
past, and Blakes widow stood up.
"Have you got through, Judge" she
asked
"Wal-I-s'pose So"
"And there is nothing else to be
done?''
"rm afraid there amt"
" And he's free to go?'
"Y-a-a-s."
| Antonio Gueldo rose with an insolent
grin and picked up his hat.
The baby crowed, for it saw the gilt
tering thing again.
There was a sharp report-AntoniO
pitched forward in a heap upon the floor,
and Blake's widow stood with the pistol
pressed to Der breast.
A line of thin blue smoke curled from
the muzzle of the weapon and formed a
halo around the child flaxen head. The
glittering thing was quite near the little
hands now, and they took it from the
yielding grasp Of the mother.
Biake's widow looked steadily at the
figure on the floor--it was quite motion
| less. then she turned and went through