The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1890-01-30

HOW1ng.
There was some conjecture about a
closely veiled figure in black sitting
among the witnesses.
Payson had quiet satisfied look up
on his face which the opposing council
did not understand.
A glance behind that veil would have
disclosed face glowing with sup
pressed excitement. Mrs. Risteen felt
a strange satisfaction as the evidence
was given and the connecting dinks
of circumstantial evidence were drawn
closer and more convincingly around
the prisoner. He must sit and listen
without the power to clear himself.
The iron would enter his soul rs it had
hers in that night long past. There
was poetic justice in it. But when she
should have given her evidence and
turned the scale in his favor, what fine
adjustment of moral forces would re-
compense, her for her past suffering?
A murmur went around the court
room as Mrs. Risteen stepped upon the
witness-stand.
The prisoner regarded her with
curious interest as she threw back her
veil. She turned slowly and met his
eyes with clear, searching, scathing
glance, before which he covered
gu.ltily. Then. with a motion indica-
tive of something like contempt for
him, she faced the court who were
watching her closely.
She gave her evidence. She had
been going home late through a bit of
woods from Hettie Bells death-bed the
night of the murder. As she was near
ly opposite the wagon with its canvas
roof glistening in the moonlight, the
horse tethered few rods from it. she
heard steps in the underbrush. Obey
ing her first impulse, she drew back
among the trees and, screened by the
foliage, saw the man come out of the
wood on the opposite side with his coat
on his arm and rolled up sleeves and a
face that was CHASTITY in the moonlight.
He stood beside the wagon few
moments in listening attitude, eaned
forward and placed something inside
of it, then stood moment or 70 en-
gagged in some manipulation she did
not understand until he had stepped
aside, when she saw the dark stain on
the white canvas. While she waited
for his stealthv steps.to die away in the
"OouS again tllt DtdSt gave 81 StiahSS,
terrific whinny, which must have
aroused the prisoner from sleep, for
his face appeared at the opening. She
waited a few moments until it was with
drawn, then. trembling with a name
less horror that yet lent wings to her
feet, she sped homeward.
The unexpected evidence caused
much excitment in the courtroom.
There were no expressions of sympathy
with the prisoner, however.
You have had some previous ac-
quaintance with the prisonerP'q P'question-
ed the opposing counsel, seeking to con-
fuse her in a crosS-eXamination.
II have" The words sounded
ominously clear to the ears of Felix
Lynch.
AT what period?n
Ten years ago"
What were your relations?"
What were our relations?" she re-
peated, in slow, measured tone, while
her form seemed to gain height and
dignity. and the intense excitement OF
the hour lent strange, brilliant glow
to eye and cheek and lip, ''He was
and is my enemy. He darkened my
life by wicked slander. He separated
me from my husband and drove me in
to exile. | prayed for revenge. 1t
has come to-day You have witnessed
it. l scarcely expected it this way"
The courtroom was thrilled. The
air seemed highly charged with the
intensity of her feelings. All eyes
were upon the faces of the witness and
the prisoner. A pair of dark ones in
the rear part of the courtroom were
glowing like Goals of fire. Sylvia, in
her plain black dress and her regal
bearing, looked like tragedy queen.
The prisoners head dropped lower as a
hiss went around the courtroom. The
cross-examlnation was waived, the evi-
dence summed up. and the jury re.
turned with the verdict Not Guilty
/ in fifteen minutes.
When the court adjourned Lynch
was creeping out with hang-dog look
and some apprehension as to his
personal safety. He had feeling that
he ought to thank Mrs. Graham and
ask her pardon for the past, but dark
faced, powerful man, who had been
crowding his way towards him, sud-
denly grasped his shoulder and whirled
him round in unceremonious fashion.
Confess, you craven!' he said, be-
tween his teeth: did you lie about thai
woman yonder ten years ago?"
Yes" returned Lynch, covering be.
fore the fury Of the man who menaced
him.
You did, you did, hang you! If you
wasn't too contemplate I'd Clear
the way, all of you.' he shouted, and
he hurled him sprawling towards the
floor with the words" cross my path
again and I'll shoot YOU as | would a
dog!'
Sylvia had sunk trembling upon a
seat. The brilliant color had left hel
face; it was white as death. Captain
Graham went to her, and bending
clasped both her hands in his, assisted
her to her feet. and drawing his hand
through her arm led her out of the
courtroom and down to the hotel,
where he engaged private parlor.
Il have been searching for YOU fol
all these years." he told his wife. 81
repented for that brutal letter. When
| went back You were gone. l have
power had days happiness. When
say a notice OF that towards trial FOL
murder the familiar name led me to
| come here to-day from Boston. My
| vessel came in yesterday with cargo
from the West Indies. Did 1 kill all
your love for me Sylvia, by my crueity?h
| Her sweet smile was like a baae-
| diction. What cruelty will not a
| woman's love survive?
Lynch got out of Lawrence as quickly
as possible.
A Young man in the next town con-
| fessed on his death bed to the murder
| of Janet year later.
He had been jealous of Lynch. and
had taken double revenge b. fastening
the evidence of guilt upon lis supposed
| rival.