The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1891-04-18
THE REPRIEVE.

position In society.
But for this | should never have un-
dertaken his defence In this last case
my best feeling wcro so against him
not that was AN migrate. but because
j believed he had murdered his wife.
Many things compelled my drawing
such conclusion.
He was well-bred. refined and Gull
tured, while she was OF common stock,
tho pcrsoniiication OF Ignorance and
low-brceding. For 10 years he was all
OF chivalry and tenderness TO her that
lofty nature could be. while she was
always sullen. morose. dissatisfied.
II was claimed by their closest
friends that he loved her the first few
years OF their united life. though never
believed this-it was such manifest
impossibility.
Any way. he hated her cordially
when her life came TO It's tragic close.
and so he had for considerable period
prior TO that event.
Being entirely i'm his confidence. he
often came TO my Office, pallid and
trembling, 20 tell me OF some new vul-
gar violence OF hers which had driven
him nearly TO the last extremity of des-
pcration.
And so. one morning, when Mrs.
Duke was found dead with an ugly stab
through her heart. her husband stand
ing over her with a reeking knife I'm
haad naturally believed he had killed
her.
Later on. when saw him my sus-
picions seemed confirmed.
He was In state OF wild excitement
when | entered the sheriif's Office, in
answer 10 his summons
Until that moment no ono had sue
ceedcd IN getting "A word out OF him
about the murder.
What does IL all mean?" asked
when we were alone.
II don't know he gasped. II
don't know whether Il was | who killed
her or not. But don't want to die
J mustn't be allowed 10 die. You must
defend me you must save me"
Though pitied him. believed him
guilty; and though | defended him. /
felt that lie merited death.
But my efforts were vain ones. The
evidence against him was too conclu-
siye.
An unusual. noise In Mrs. Dukes
room had attracted the buffers atten-
lion the morning OF the murder On
entering he saw Mr.. Duke raising up.
knife In hand, from the PROSTATE body
OF his vile, as II he had just stabbed
her.
That, and the fact that the Dukes
had INDUCED in many bitter quarrels
Of late, was enough 20 win disastrous
verdict from any jury.
Mr.. Duke was found guilty and SEN
fenced TO death. He was to be hanged
In 80 days.
Reopening a case az this time was
not the easy thing IL is now, and
found il is impossible To get him new
trial.
On and on those grace days swept
seemingly with lightning swiftness.
until the time set for the execution
was but 30 hours of.
was desperate; Duke was frantic.
you must go 10 the governor he
cried at length. You must get
pardon for mo,
impossible. answered. There
isn't enough time.
Yes. there IL. This II Wednesday
morning. and | am not TO hang until
Friday noon. The train goes In an
hour. II you leave here at once. you
can make the trip and get back here
In time.
But on what prctext? Simply see
ing the governor will do no good.
"
You must think OF pretext ON the
way Don't stay here and talk. You
are wasting time. and my life must be
saved. Do go at once.
He was In such wrought-up state
that there was no use arguing with
him, and 40 | went away. walking
about the streets In sheer bewilder-
mont.
by blind chance | went 10 the rail-
way station. arriving just as the train
rolled In. Detected and reckless.
scarcely knowing what was about
clambered on board. NJ the last mo-
ment and went whirling away toward
the governors. bent ON a Wild mad
purpose, which well knew could only
prove entirely frultlcss.
When the station next 10 my desti-
nation was reached. woman came on
board. who instantly bounced on me
and kissed me.
IL was my niece
What undor the sun Is the matter
with you?N she demanded.
When | told her Of poor Dukes pre-
dicnmont hs.' face became very grave
but the moment she discovered my