Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1891-09-06

and Incorporate habits of the murdered
man, as contrasting with the steady,
studious, inoffensive nature of those Of
the accused, gained the latter consid-
cradle amount Of sympathy. 1t was con-
jectured that the deed was the result Of
sudden passion, probably caused by some
threat or actual violence on the part of
the deceased, and that most likely this
violence had been shown toward his
wife. Indeed, 1t was we'll known that
the younger man had often In former
times protected the woman Judith from
his elder brothers fury. Ever since the
murder, or neutrality-suspicious. the
crime seemed much more likely to be
considered the latter than the former
Judith FELTON, had been in strange
state of mind, and although she was to
be called as principal witness against
the accused (she being the only person
present at the time), the medical men
who had examined her were more than
doubtful as to her sanity.
The case for the prosecution was
strong against the prisoner, even before
this woman was examined, although all
the witnesses did their best to show the
very high estimation in which he was
held by those who knew him intimately.
He did not look like criminal as he
stood there in the dock, with his slight
form and his pale, delicate face, from
which his eyes shone clear and star-like
from their hollow sockets. He seemed
very anxious and nervous, however, and
kept glancing at the door from which
the witnesses issued.
At last the Woman, Judith FELTON,, was
called, and walked to the witness box
with a steady step, though those near
enough to see her clearly noticed that
there was a strange, dazed look about
her.
Before she was sworn she looked long
and earnestly at the prisoner, and he
returned the gaze. His face was calm
and resolute now, and had lost the
nervous expression 1t had hitherto worn.
As he continued TO watch Judith's face,
look of great sweetness and content
crept over his own, and he smiled TO
her. But the woman turned away,
shuddering from head to foot. The
oath was administered to her in due
form, and she was called upon to give
her evidence. She hesitated moment,
and then spoke out in clear, distinct
voice: "It is very simple. He who
stands yonder is innocent. 1 am the
guilty one! Ibid It'll He only drew the
knife out Of the wound"
Judith" cried the prisoner, in an
agonized tone, don't, for PHYS sake!
Hold your tongue! It's not true, my
lord; she's lost her wits, poor thing!"
"Silencew
at is absolutely true" went on the
witness, with simple directness which
carried conviction. 81 had often thought
of it, and latterly had begun to dream
of it, though l did not know until the
time came that should have ever the
courage to rryit out"
"Do you mean to tell US that you de-
liberately planned to take your hus-
bands life?" questioned the Judge. The
witness appeared now to have little
difficulty to keep her attention fixed and
required to have the question repeated.
mo; / did not plan it. 1t took pos
session of me, and kept coming back
and back, though struggled again the
idea. l can scarcely describe it, feel
so confused-but wherever l look there
seemed to be bIood-in the sky, In the
water, in the fire-everywhere"
The witness made this remarkable
statement in an even, monotonous,
rather sleepy way, but 1t sent a thrill
through the court, all the same. Then,
turning toward the prisoner, she held
out her arms with gesture OF passion
ate entreaty.
Forgive me, Bill, dear Bill-forgive
me for ever allowing you to stand
where-you do! | was coward; but
still, l could not let you die for memo,
no, / could not bear that! l love you,
Bill, l love you better than knew,
dear"
AS she finished speaking her head
dropped, and she fell forward, apparent
ly in a swoon.
The accused gave one sharp, short cry
of horror, and then his face grew calm
again.
what has happened?" cried some
person near TO him.
''She has taken poison" affirmed the
prisoner, quietly.
This statement was indeed found TO
be true. When, the doctor, who was
called upon, examined Judith he found
that the action of her heart had ceased.
She had drunk the contents OF the phial,
which she carried always about her per-
son, little while before entering the
court. This accounted for her strange
ly sleepy, Unconditional demeanor.
1t was a tragic ending of tragic life;
but even Bill, with all the passion OF
young grief which overwhelmed him,
could not but feel that, as far as this
world went, it was the least terrible one
which could have happened.
And after. All, who knows?
Lift not the painted veil which those who
live call life.
These poor human existences, ap-
parertly so barren Of either happiness
or use; these fatal marriages, where
the higher natures are dragged down
and degraded by the lower ones; these
tragedies Of sorrow and the sins which
are born of despair-what do they all
mean? II we could find the true ans
wer to the question we should indeed
be as gods, knowing good and evil.
1t isn't every ossified man that's ooua
fide.-YOrkers Gazette.