The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1889-02-28
thls cellar. and slowly made her way

| TINS cellar, and slowly made her way
| out.
She found that her hat was gone,
after she had limped on for awhile,
aud uutying her white apron pinned
it about her head.
She was in by-street now, and met
no one, and when she stood at the
| door of Mrs. Fenton's house she began
| 10 wonder, in sick, dazed way, where
| the latch-key was.
| The cook and chambermaid, who
were sisters, were away, staying all
| night at their mothers house. There
was wedding in the family, and they
had asked leave to have the holiday.
She knew that; and where was the key
where was tie key? In her apron
| pocket. She took the apron from her
| head and tied it on. The key had
| been lost on the way, but now she saw
that the door stood ajar, that there
was light in the house. Doubtless Mrs.
| FentOn had been taken ill, and was up
trying to get medicines for herself.
Just her careless way, to leave the
door open! Bella pushed her way in.
The little hatchet used for chopping g
wood was lying on the hall floor. How
strange! She picked it up; it was wet.
| As she stood looking at it hand came
down on her shoulder.
'Well, young woman, what's up?"
asked the policeman.
81 don't know" said Bella.
'.All that blood on you, and don't
know?" said the policeman.
.'I fell down into the cellar" said
| the girl in bewilderment.
The policeman still held her by the
arm as he stalked forward. Every gas
jet in the room in which Mrs. Fenton
slept was burning. and as they entered
a Mortified sight met their eyes: The
old lady, or rather her dead body,
lying across the floor weltering in
blood-murdered horribly.
At the sight Bella uttered one long
and fearful shrek, and swooned away.
She came to herself in prison charg-
ed with the murder of Mrs Fenton. In
vain she told her story. Nobody be-
lieved her. And as the trial went on
circumstantial evidence proved her
guilty to the jury. The fact of her
having been out to get the cap did not
help. her. She might have been home
at nine o'clock. She was found with
the hatchet in her hand, making no
outcry, and covered with blood. Her
wounds were supposed to have been
given by Mrs. Fenton in defending
herself. SO great was the horror and
detestation in which the innocent girl
was held for her supposed crime that
it was with difficulty she was guarded
from assault on her way to the court.
Il Do l,a,
harm; the fact of the old lady's age
and her previous liberality to Bella,
and the position of confidence she
held, making the crime more terrible.
In fact, she was proven guilty, and
sentence was pronounced. She was to
die on the gallows. Judge - had
pronounced her sentence. He was a
grave and good man, very fond of his
wife and family. but he never per-
mitted them to know the details of any
of the cases that came under his OBJ
servation. But this one was talked of
widely, and had come to the ears of
his little daughter, Hilda. She, a
pretty creature of eleven, came into
his private study one morning, with
her face full of thought.
Papa" she said, don't be angry.
| have been reading the papers about
the girl who is supposed to have killed
her mistress, and | read that you said
she must be hanged by the neck until
dead. Papa, do you remember the
night | was naughty and stayed out
late? You had gone out to look for
me-
Yes, chIld.n
hrn,,cr1,t .orb+
"a tall young woman in white
apron. She was very kind; she walked
long distance with me, and only for
her | should have been stolen by an
old woman. She had me by the neck
with my head under her shawl, aud
nearly stilled me. Well, papa, this
woman pulled me away from her, just
as that Bella says she pulled a little
girl that night. And you know there
is dreadful place down the street
where they are building. She says she
fell down place. Papa, l went and
asked the men if they thought anyone
fell down there one night. Most of
them laughed at me, but one nice man
said Yes There was a plank there
that rainy night, and there was bon
net there and handkerchief He took
both home. | think, papa, that Bella
tells the truth
Great Heavenr' cried the father
"Child, you may have saved life,
and me from what | dread to think
Of
He touched bell, and gave the SER
want who appeared orders to call cab
instantly.
In half an hour, Bella, sitting upon
her bed, saw the door open; a little
figure entered, and stood before her.
did you ever see NE before?" the
sweet voice asked.
You are the child I took safe home
that dreadful night" said Bella.
"And | know you,n Hilda said, "and
it is all right, my dear. You will be
proved innocent"
SO it was, after more delay than one
could believe, with the child's sworn
word given, and the bonnet and a
handkerchief marked with her name,
to say nothing. of the cap in Mrs.
Deans box, which had also been found
in the hollow, for evidence.
But at last Bella was free. She was
i'll for a long time, but was brought
back TO perfect health at the hospital
to which she was taken, not as char
ity patient. but at the expense of the
good Judge himself, aud afterwards
was offered a position as Hilda's maid
and attendant.
Years have passed. She is still re-
tanned in the household as a valued
and useful member. She is married.
| Her husband is the family coachman
and gardener, very worthy and in
| telligent man; and certainly the end OF
her iife is decidedly happier than were
| its early years.
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