Daily Republican., 1889-06-08
ALMOST A LIFE.

never think of my first case ne prose-
cutting attorney without IA qualm OF ar,
though so many cars have elapsed since
Richard Short was on trial for his lie.
The evidence was clear against him.
Cecil Torrey, wealthy planters son, had
been found dead IN tho street, and short
was surprised by u party OF young men
as he was bending over the body.
He was running away when captured,
and on his person were found pa ers and
money belonging to the dead man.
Everything seemed dead against Short,
and 1t was proved that he had served u
term la prison before, but up to the night
before his trial he still protested his lnno-
ceuce.
had hoped he would make full con-
fession, because 1t is terrible thought
to Imagine you are hanging an innocent
man.
In the midst of some worried reflections
regarding the case OF the m who was
going to be hanged on the morrow, /
was sent for by Charles Avon, an i'm
portaut witness at thu trial ami frien d
OF the dead man.
Within half an hour, for the distance /
had to o was short, was alone with
Mr.. Avon in his chambers. A marked
change had come over his appearance
since we had last met. His face was
worn and laggard, aud there was a ner-
yous twitehing about the mouth when he
spoke.
"There-there is something / have on
my mind to tell you, he said with hest
tatinE trenIor in h voice
/ motioned him to go on.
81 YVES witness, as you know, on tho
trial OF kicharu Short"
81 remember" 1 replied; "and you ties
titled that, on the night of the murder,
Cecil Torrey had remained with Won
here till III O'Clock and then departed
Alone
(which was strictly true" he added;
"but there WAS more which | should
have told"
bent forward, eager to catch his
next words. But he remained silent, as
If in doubt whether to continue
''lf there be anything within your
knowledge" sad, solemnly, "whieh
eau shed further light on the late terri.
BILE tragedy, or, peradvcntuIe, may p e.
vent the commission oil u trightiul act Of
injustice, there is bus little time to
speak"
The words seemed to arouse him, and
with an excited, rapid utterLuce, le thus
proceeded:
u.
The ties between us were streng heued
by the fact that his sister Helen, VINO
died broken-hearted with grief at her
brothers. death, was my betrothod. It
was but the other cay ! saw her laid by
his side and OH how | louged to keep
them company But It is not oil this that
would speak.
"Om that last fa'al night a dispute, so
triv lal that ] can scarcely now recall It's
origin, sprang up between Cecil and my
tet ov n game of cards, in which we
were intulging for pastime.
'Both of us were rash and hot. temper
ed, and one VOID led 10 another, till
Cecil, springing up with flushed face, ex-
claimed In u tone OF menace:
"'Do you accuse me Of cheating?'
" If 1t is thus yuu would demand a
disclaimer | returned in manner rs
defiant as LIS own, Il decline 10 give it,
"The reply was blow which at once
set my brain on fire. A small gold
mounted dagger "a mere toy-lay on the
table. My eyes fell upon it, and catch
Ing 10 up in my insane fury / made
quick thrust at Cecil S breast. believ-
ed, at the time, that his raised az IN had
parted The stroke, Tor he showed no sign
of being hurt. In an instant realized
the mad folly of my act, and, flin. ing
away the weapon, grasped my friends
hand.
"'FurgIve me, Ccci!' / cried.
"'And forgive me- he answered; We
have both I cen fools tonight
AN expression us OF sudden pain
pas cd over his features. | attributed it
to regret for our foo ish outiall, of which |
was Fastening TO take the blame upon
myself, when Cecil Interrupted the.
-. , l.
estly, this occurrence must be known |
only to ourselves. 1t would make Helen |
miserable if 1t came to her ears. For the !
present let us part, and part friends. |
Wo have both food for profitable reilec- |
tion.' Then pressing my hand warmly |
he turned and took his leave.
ut was more than an hour after that |
my attention was called to the dagger
where had thrown it. STOPPING to pick |
1t up, started with horror. There was |
blood upon the blade!
"Hurrying from the house, | ran to |
meet my friend. The news of his death |
met me ere had gone many steps The
cry OF remorse that escaped me was taken
Tor sudden outburst OF grief. | was on
the point of proclaimng all, when the
thought restrained me that 1t would re-
double Hell MS anguish TO know whose
manu- Hhu CAuheu IL Anu 30 L nclu my
peace, even while another was tried and
for ivy own rash act. While
Helen lived | had not the courage to
ayow the truth. But now she is gone,
and conscience will not suffer me to see
the consequences OF my crime visited
upon another"
The silence which fol owed this recital
was thus broken by Charles Avon:
II am aware" he said, "of the duty
now resting upon you. 1t Is, first, to save
the life OF the unfortunate wretch con-
demned to die tomorrow, and next TO
bring the real culprit to justice. OF the
latter task ! shall relieve you"
Aud before | could interpose to stay his
hand he raised to his lips small phial
which, till then, he had held concealed,
and drained the contents.
Instantaneously, as II built had
pierced his brain, he fell back into n
chair. A few violent commissions follow
oil, and before help could come In answer
to my summons he was dead.
FASTENED to telegraph to the Cover
nor, and a reprieve came In time to pre-
vent the addition of another to the already
swollen list OF judicial murders,