Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1888-01-25

tears He opened his plea slowly, in low
voice at first, but which warmed into elo.
auence as he went over step by step Rogers
past life and history, told Of his courage and
devotion to his country, his family, his friend,
and then tried to show that such man could
not have become murderer even to save his
business from ruin. He made them feel that
a man so honorable as Roger must hold an
others secret safe at the risk and sacrifice of
his own life, and that the secret of the person
who gave him this money was sacred and
might even be baptized in blood. He had
spoken an hour and was now about to attack
the evidence and try to prove that this was
case of mistaken identity, and that probably
Henriette and Suzanne had seen some one
whom they imagined from resemblance to
Roger to be him, and that it was all easy
matter to be mistaken, under such circum-
stances and in the excitement, when one of
the officers of the court handed him a small
note marked important; read at once"
Even while continuing his speech Lucien
opened the note and the envelope fell un-
needed to the floor. Still speaking he opened
out the sheet which bore but few lines in an
unknown handwriting, and then he took up
glass of water and read as he drank. At
first he did not understand it, This MAS
what it contained:
@You undertake the defense of Roger La
rogue You speak Of his honor in keeping
silence about the money and who paid him.
Go homo and ask your wife, or, better still,
ask her lover, whose life you are trying tc
save"
This letter was from Luversan, who feared
that Roger might escape.
Now, as by lghtnings flash, Lucien saw
all, knew oil. All that had been inexplicable
before was explained. And the light came
so suddenly that he fell backward to seat
and remained there for a moment as if dead.
When he arose again, with the help Of the
gendarmes, he looked like corpse, only that
he moved.
He turned to Roger, and murmured but
two words:
"Infamous manw
"Lucien?" said Roger.
aLook me, Julia's husband, your friend, in
the facel"
For answer, Roger hid his eyes in both his
hands and bowed his head in silence. Lucien
was answered.
Lucien thought. His eloquent plea for
Roger had ceased, but he dimly felt that he
must proceed. He must continue. He was
here to save Roger from the accusation OF
the crime he did not commit, not to condemn
him for the one he had. At least he could do
his duty, but he felt something give way in
his brain. He rose to the occasion and his
duty, and began again his interrupted ad-
dress, though his voice was hoarse and faint.
"Repose yourself ittle," said the presi-
dent.
But Lucien shook his head. He now knew
all, and Rogers innocence of this crime com.
manded his best efforts. The rest could come
afterward.
He spoke, and his voice and heart grew
strong together, and that vast audience hung
breathlesS upon his words, and into them he
put so much Of his own despair that every
heart melted. Roger heard nothing Of oil
this. Those two awful words resounded like
thunderous reverberat;ons through his brain,
deadening every other sound.
But suddenly that tide Of impassioned
words was checked and then resumed feebly:
II charge you, men of the jury, to remem-
Der that Roger Laroque is innocent. I know
it. I swear it, but cannot divulge his secret" )"
And with the last word Lucien fell into the
arms Of those nearest him, and when the doc
tor reached him he said: HE is dead; he has
ruptured blood vessel in his BRAIN"
Roger tried to reach him, but he was held
firmly in his seat, and when they told him
Lucien was dead he burst into all agony Of
sobs, which he vainly tried to stife. He alone
knew what had been Lucien's death blow,
and he felt himself condemned Of God and
man. Already two deaths upon his con-
science, Henriette's and Lucien's. He wished
to die that he might expiate his sin.
When the president asked him if he had
anything to add, he said, in sonorous voice:
II am guilty. Condemn me-"
But his measure Of sufferings was not yet
full. And when the jury, after short con-
sultation, returned, they gave in their verdict:
"Guilty, but with extenuating circum-
So he could not even die. He was con-
demned to the galleys for life. Thus he must
expiate his wrong, and he was led away, his
head bowed, and his face that of an old
broken down man.