San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-07-03

,
day"
As he spoke, seemed to feel the net clos
ing round me. At first the very accusation
had seemed preposterous; nor, began to
understand that my position was one of eX-
IRENE peril. If Johnson had really been
murdered, and on that night. as now seemed
clear, could not escape suspicion by mere
abb. Remembered with thrill of horror,
my last meeting with the murdered man. just
before my departure; and my heart sank
within me.
| knew my own innOcence-but who was
guilty? As asked myself the question,
looked again at Annie, who was still watch
ing me ihtently; and in a moment, as IL by
an inspiration, thought of her father! Had
John Pendragon, in moment of madness,
taken the life of the man whom he suspected
OF betraying his daughter? The thought was
almost too horrible for belef-yet alas it
was not unreasonable.
Now, then, are you ready" said the Off
Ger, placing his hand upon my shoulder.
rose quietly. As | did so, Annie sprung
toward me with outStretched hands.
Hugh dear Hugh tell me you did not do
1t! | cannot-cannOt believe that you are
guilty"
As looked at her, all my spirit darkened
and hardened against her.
when the times comes" said, sOlemnly,
may you be. as well able to answer for your
deeds as | snail answer for mine. The trOub-
lie began with yOu. II murder has been done,
it is your doing aIs0-remember that
They were cruel words, and afterward l
bitterly regretted them; but was thinking
of her father, and remembering how bitter
must be her blame, if, by any possibility, he
had been driven into crime and violence as
consequence of her conduct. Whether she
understood me or not, cannot tell; but, hid
ing her face III her hands, she sank on q
couch, hySterically sObbimg.
What followed seemed more like an ex-
traOrdinaTy dream than cruel waking reality!
was led from the house, placed in cab,
and driven away. That very afternoon left
London by train and late that night was
handed over hamdcUtIcd and helpless TO the
authorities OF Falmouth Jail.
1t il a trulSm, 1 know, that the best cOnsO-
latiOn to be found by the unjustIy accused is
the consciousness of their own innOcence-a
consciousness which is said to Sweeten suf-
terng, and tighten the weight of prison
chains. My own experience is that innO-
Cence has no such effect on man indicted
for the fOueSt of human crimes. Ny first
night IN Jail was, like many that followed il,
night OF simple horror. Had really been
guilty, could not have suffered a 1.-THE of
what actually endured
To begin with the whole affair was so hor-
rible, so uneXpected it was like the solid
earth opening under my feet to destroy me
and swallow me up. BY strange fatality,
johnson had been killed on the very night of
my departure, and at time when | was
known to bear the greatest hostility toward
him. Remembering all had read of men
uniustly convicted and even executed on cir
cumStantal evidence. thought with a shud-
der of how my very departure might be con-
stTued into evidence against me.
In the extremity of. my position, one
thought hauntedm with tOrmenting cruelty.
What would Madeline think, when she heard
that was accused of a crime so terrible, so
cOwardly? | could bear everything else but
the fear that her heart might be turned
against me.
My suspense did not last long The very
next day after my arrival at Falmouth Jail.
was taken from the prison, and placed i'm
d0gcart, with policeman at my side and
another on the seat beside the driver. An
was to take place that day at ST. Gurlott's:
and, Of course, my presence was necessary.
How yiyIdly remember that drive! Snow
had fallen in the night, and the skies were
dark and sunless; the whole prospect bitter
ly cold and deNulate. We followed the same
road that | had pursued long years before, in
company with John Rudi. Then | was a
lonely boy; nor | was a melancholy man.
| wore large ulstcrcOat the folds of
which covered the handouts on my hands:
but fahcied that every soul we passed knew
the tuth-that was a criminal accused of
murder. Talk about the consciousness of in
nocence. could have wept for shame.
What was a long days journey by John
Rudd'S Sow. Old-faShOncd wagon, with its
stoppages for business, gossip,
or refreshmcnt. was a swift drive of five or
six hours on this occasion. We started at
six in the morning, and before midday were
in sight of st. GurlOtt's.
As we dashed through the village, | saw
everal of the miners hanging about, but
arefully averted my eyes from theirs. A
little further on, We passed the door of the
cottage where had dwelt so happily and so
long; and | saw. with a sigh of relief, that
there was no sign of any one about We
trOtted on, till we reached the gate of the
avenue leading to Redruth House. Here, to
my surprise, the horse was pulled up, while
one Of the men jumped down and threw open
the gate.
We passed up the avenue at a slow trot
and on arriving in front of Redruth House,
found the front door wide open and large
number of people, both gentry and common
people, tOcking round the dOOrsteps and on
the lawn. There was muTmur as Iappear-
ed. looked round, but saw no face knew.
Now then, get DOWN. said my compan-
ion: and alighted. As did so, some one
pressed forward, and met the honest eyes
of John Rudd. The poor fellow thrust out
his hand to seize mine; then, finding that l
was handcutfed, drew the hand hastily back
and placed il on my shoulder.
''Dawn't be dawnhearted, Master Hughr'
he cried. There be not sawl in St Cur
lofts believes zee killed 'un. So cheer up,
lad; they'll soon set zee free"
l thanked him, with tears standing in my
eyes, for his kindness touched me. Then |
was led into the house, and In a little while
was facing the coroner in the great Old-fash-
Toned dining-hall where the inquest was be-
ing held.
l forget many of the details of that miser-
able day. Only one thing wildly remem-
berthe sight of the dead mans body,
stretched out for inspection in the kitchen.
Why was taken to see ii do not know; but
felt that was closely watched as bent
over il. Poor Johnson! freely fOrgave
him all the trouble he had ever caused me,
seeing the bloOd-stained and disfgured mass
which had once been his living self!
As the inquest proceeded, | realized the
full extent of my peril. Several of the men
came forward (unMillinglY enough, / am