Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1885-10-07


witchery of passion cast their golden
beams across the silence of years, and,
hearing aside the mask of indifference,
belle the staid expression that his feat
ures have worn. fGe continues to gaze,
unheeding, upon the girlish form, his
agitation becoming perceptible to all,
when the voice of ths Prosecuting At
tOrney rOuses him at length from his
| reverie.
Recalling the onerous duties of his
position, Lord Barrowes RECEIVERS his
composure. More from the force of
habit than by any successful effort of
his own, his attention is slowly with
drawn from the spiritual loveliness of
Mildred Parkhurst and centered upon
the case which is being argued before
him.
After briefly stating the events that
had led to the arrest and indictmet of
the prisoner at the bar and setting forth
the facts which clearly pointed to him
as the author of the crime, the learned
counsel called his witnesses. They con-
sisted of two villagers, who testified to
having met Mr.. Parkhurst walking in
the direction of the railway station,
|
past nine ON the night of the murder,
and Mr. Parkhurst's man servant, who
stated that the two gentlemen had left
the BeecEes together at nine o'clock on
the evening in question and that at
half-paSt nine his master had returned
alone. The villagers further remarked
that the prisoner and his compan-
ion were talking in excited tones; they
might have been quarrelling; the wit
Hesses could not say.
The defense was brilliant and forci-
bic. One of the most eminent LAWYERS
of the day had been retained in behalf
of NJ. Parkhurst, and his eloquence
found its way to the hearts of the hear
ers and established in the mIndt of
many the firm conviction of his clients
innocence.
At length the counsel for the prosecu-
ton rose to make his final remarks.
Having shown, with considerable elab-
Grafton, that Mr.. Greene must have
met his death at the hands of Mr.. Park
hurst, he asserted, in conclusion, that
the circumstantial evidence was suf-
ficient to hang the prisoner.
A shudder ran through the slender
form-a childish face grew deathly
white. With kind, motherly touch,
Lady Ashton took the little hand with
in her own. Otherwise, all was still.
1t now remained for the case 10 be
given to the jury.
The judge paused longer than was his
wont, as though 10th to perform the task
that was to him an almost daily occur
renee. But it could not be avoided,
and with the violet eyes of Mildred
Parkhurst fixed upon his features, Lord
BarroweS commenced, in impressive
tones, to instruct those from whose lips
would proceed the verdict which would
be to her either life or death.
"If," continued his lordship, upon
carefully weighing the evidence, you
! fiud established the elements necessary
/ 10 constitute wiiifuf Iuuruer, tiIcu 1t WIN
devolve upon the court to impose the
penalty provided by the law. If, Oh the
other hand, after due consideration,
such elemeBts appear to you to be ab-
sent, then you Will render verdict of
not guilty" Here the voice of the
speaker grew solemn, and the specta.
tors could see that he was passlonately
in earnest. But, ne added, 81 charge
you to pause and consider the gravity
of the decision which rests with you to
pronounce. The life of fellow Great
ure-nay, even more than that-hangs
upon your words. Better were it, a
thousand fold, that the dead should re-
main forever unavenged than that,
through the erring perception of human
wisdom, the innocent should be con-
demned."
As he concluded the counsel ex-
changed glances of amazement. Never
had they heard the celebrated Justice
display such undisguised partlality, and
their wonder was great.
But his words had been prompted by
feelings that they dreamed not of-feel-
ings that swayed his will and rose above
his sense of duty.
The jury retired.
Once more Lord Barrowes let his
eyes wander to the fair face which was
again turned away from him. Whence
came this vision of former daysr Had
his early love returned-the Mildred
whom IN bygone days he had worshiped
and lost? 1t was the same exquisite
form; the features were the same in
their delicate beauty; only lovelier,
younger than before. He had adored
her; but the priceless jewel of her love
had been given to another.
Memories of those golden days fiocked |
around him, and the moments flew by
UNDECIDED. The silence was becoming |
painful and oppressive, and when the |
Instant arrived which was fraught with /
such terrible significance, it brought |
the feeling of relief that always seems |
preferable to suspense.
The jury, having been absent some
twenty minutes, filled slowly into the |
box.
The prisoner who throughout the pro-
ceedlngs has maintained a calm and
digniged mien, now looks at his daugh-
ter as though seeking to impart to her /
some of his own dauntless courage.
But she Is unconscious of his gaze.
The room seems to swim before her
eyes, a tumult like that of surging
sea resounds in her ears; family, as
though borne from o'er the distance,
she hears the voice of the judge putting
the dread question to the foreman. and
as the latter opens his lips to reply, she
is dimly aware Of some confusion near
the door of the courtroom.
Two men entered hastily, accompan-
led by police officer; there is brief
whispered colloquy, and then the clerk
of the court advances toward the bench,
holding in his hand black leather
pocketbook.
All who are present bend forward to
look; they hold their breath to listen.
The excitement is intense. The pro-
ceedings are suspended at the most
critical point, while the interruption IS
explained as follows:
The previous day, at sunrise. some
laborers going TO their work, had dis
covered In field. on the outskirts of
the town, the lifeless body of man.
With all possible haste they informed
the police. Inquiry was instituted
throughout the neighboring towns and
villages, and 1t WAS promptly ascer-
tanned that tramp answering the de-
l..s.lI -.