The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1884-03-28
N CAP;
Or
THE STORY OF A SIN.
BY HELEN b. MATHERS.
CHAPTER I.

CHAPTER I.
Angel OF the Sin.
Which rounds the rebels work with Makers
wrath.
martha Mistake, you are found gull
BY by your own confession, and on the
clearest possible evidence, of the muir
der of an infant, name unknown, in the
Shifting Pool, in the village of Lovel,
five and half years ago; and though
the recommendation to mercy will be
forwarded in due course, / can hold out
no hope that the sentence am about
to pass on you will be committed" And
the Judge proceeded to pass sentence
Of death in the usual way.
Sordid and inexpressibly mean in the
faint light of dawn looked the court in
which these words were spoken; the
sentence itself seemed too fine thing
for the wretch who received it, her lips
parting in an audible THANK GodP'
as the Judge ceased to speak, and, jerk
ing aside the black cap, threw his scar
let robes about him, and instantly left
the court.
A clamor of tongues broke out on his
departure, and trampling OF feet set
in toward the one narrow exit; not a
glance of curiosity, not word OF pity
was flung toward the prisoner in the
dock; every emotion usual to the occa-
sion seemed to be in allegiance, as jury
men, and spectators, and officials hur-
RED to quit the place, where for so many
weary hours they had been incarcerated.
One person alone kept his place-a
man in the prime Of manhood and full
intellectual vigor, who throughout the
trial had sat by the Judges side, keenly
watching the progress Of the case, and
still kept his gaze fixed on the prisoner,
who, in the very act of removal, had
thrust aside the jailer's arm to look
back and return that curiously intent
gaze.
For a minute she hesitated, plunging
in his eyes a strange look, to which he
had no clew; her lips moved, she made
a half gesture as though to beckon him,
then turned and left the dock with q
firm step.
zone of those retarded intelligences
that think much and speak little; that
combine the simplicity of thought with
the directness in execution of a savage
or q child. Unloved, as virgin she
has been able to bring the whole forces
of her nature to difficult undertaking,
and so far has-succeeded."
So thinking he rose and made his
way to the AssiZe Inn, where he found
the Judge already retired to bed, his
wig suspended above him on the bed
post.
as that you, Eyre?" he said, opening
his eyes. Il wish I could have hanged
those twelve fools as we'll as the wo-
man. Nine hours elaboration and a
recommendation to mercy, on the face
of such summing-up as mine! You'll
turn in now, of course?"
No; my horse is waiting. I'm bound
for home"
The Judge made wry face.
$50 you're still-still- 1 wonder
what it's like?" he added, as one think
ing aloud q /, ..,s p .,.,.,, . ,,,.
The old bachelor shook his head.
Women" he said, "are-are-"
cut short by snore.
"And now for Madcap," said Mr..
Eyre, as he sprang into his saddle
"Madcap, sunshine Of my breast" But
even as he spoke the governor of the
Jail hurried out and begged of him to
defer his departure for five minutes, as
the condemned woman had been asking
eagerly to see him.
"She has been so inveterately SILENT"
he said, as Mr.. Eyre dismOunted, "that
l feared If this opportunity of hearing
the truth were missed, another might
not occur, and SO ventured to detain
you"
''Oh, she won't confess" said Mr..
Eyre carelessly. Il have been study
ing her; she fears only lest her crime be
discovered to the parents, who are guilt
less in the business, or Pm much mis-
taken"
IF the summing-up had not been so
clear" said the governor, "she would
have got off; as it is, that recommends
ton to mercy may save her neck yet"
"Not it," said Mr.. Eyre; II shall send
a private line to town,,guilty she is,
and hanged she shall be-"
These words-for the cell door was at
that moment thrown open-were heard
by the prisoner.
"Shafl II" she said, lifting her head
from her knees, and fixing on him
strange look as he entered.
"Ay," he said, ''yOur crime was an
inhuman one, and your life pays the
forfeit"
''If all were known" she said, 81
should no more die on the gallows than
"Then tell ALL" said Mr.. Eyre, in
stantly. Reveal the facts that prove
your innocence-denounce the guilty
and let the parents be brought forward!
Ay," he added, pursuing her rising ter
ror, land they shall be, if they are liv-
ing"
They're Dead" she said, in uncon-
trollable agitation, land did it, laid
the baby down by the pool, and it was
drowned; and L pleaded guilty-you
can't alter that; and if you tell anybody
L said there's Others behind me, I'll say
that you lied, for all that you're great
gentleman, and magistrate, and I'm
poor serving-woman that"
80 it was your mistress's child that
you drowned" he said, following each
thought as it painted itself on her face.
WHO said it?' she cried, starting
back as if bullet had struck her. IF
any come here after I'm dead, tell them
tell them thought I'd sort of
claim on YOU" she went on sullenly,
because twas you that gave me up to
justice and put the rope round my neck;
and because there's that in your face as
has seemed nat'ral to me all through,
and puzzles me vet: but Pm sorry now