The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-03-22

not dare say II Count Lanin has committed
Q crime; state the facts only. l was pres
ent st the expulsion of DR.. Dakouss. Van.
zines death had been f~oreseen and
forotoid by the doctor. The count renamed
alone IN the room where the poison was.
saw Ill that. ] / have, however, no certainty
ana pray the court will take my deposit
tion ~ lta true vaiue-a simple statement
Thanks TO this moderation, this evidence
was crushing. Vladimir understood this go
well that he bowed his head and Il tear, the
nrst token Of his giving way, rolled down
his pale cheek. Louise continued in her
calm and measured voice:
IN the first moment OF grief I accused
the count. had, with my own hands.
given the poison to him | loved! you can
easily imagine my excitement. You know
my crime II you do not punish me. /
chastise myself; my life is crushed. i
thought would eternally hate the man who
maze me XII my ~betrothed, now sorrow has
e~xtingnlshed hate in my heart. ] accuse no
g make statements only. The court
will judge.'
Tho president asked: Edo you think the
accused is guilty?"
Il do not know if he alone ia guilty or if
ne mas accomplices, but / believe him
guilty."
She dropped her veil again over her face
and went slowly back to her seat on the
bench of the witnesses.
Then the witnesses for the defense were
called.
There we're only three: Akoulina Ivan
Popoff, lana and her daughter. Darine
now laid aside the scornful expression
which he had worn during the hearing of
the previous witnesses and pierced with his
eye the part of the hall reserved for the
public.
diRnation the accusation, told Vladimir's
me, spoke of his kindness. his morality,
his services, his forty years blameless life:
she was moved to tears, but had no facts to
give. Her suspicious of Schelm and his
daughter had no motive. She hardly spoke
OF them, fearing to injure her benefactor.
Inc law does not attribute any value to
the deposition of a husband or a wife and
admits 1T only to see more clearly.
dence no oath was administered to
lana and Alexandra and they were
heard together. A tremor of curiosity
passed through the vast assembly as the
two ladies appeared at the bar. lana pro-
tested IN a sad but calm voice against the
accusation. She alleged no fact, but cast
ing at Vladimir a look which tilledthe heart
of the unhappy man with hope. she said:
My husband is innocent. Gentlemen, l
swear it by my life, by my honor, and I
take God for my witness"
"Have you any proof that you can give
us?" asked the president, with the greatest
gentleness.
mo Not yet. God will provide them.'
She took her daughters hand and sat
down on the same bench on which Louise
was already seated. Mile. de Schelmberp
drew back %nervously, but lana smiled and
nodded to her kindly. The whole assem-
bly, was astounded at the calm attitude of
the countess, who had coldlv turned aside
when she passed the chair of the imperial
proc1rator.
The coroner. who had made the autopsy
of Vandine's body. was called. He deposed
at great length, spoke of the properties of
strychnine, of arsenic, of all we'll known
poisons, till the president interrupted aim.
asking:
Then you did find traces of poison in
the entrails of the victim?"
"Yes.f'
Are you sure of it?"
Absolutely sure" IS
"Can'you swear to it on the Gospel?"
The physician raised his land and said:
II swear!!"
There were no other Witnesses to exam
Inc. The president consulted with his col
leagues and then said:
1.-The Encouragement will speak in sup
port of the accusationi"
Now only Darine seemed to revive. A
flow of blood rose to his pale cheeks. He
looked %haughtily around in the room, cast
a hard. implacable glance at lana, took up
a paper that was lying before him and adj
dressed the jury. His face looked very
dark: 1t was one O'Clock and the proceed
ings had lasted four hours.