Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1892-02-05

what became of my life l was justified in
her sight, that was enough.
After a trial which lasted only the greater
part of one day, the judge summed up
sternly enough, | thOught-and the jury re-
tired to consider their verdict Now for the
first time during the proceedings realized
my position. Ny life hung in the balance,
and few minutes would decide whether |
was to live or die.
The jury returned into the box, and the
judge also reappeared in his place The fore
man stood up and replied, in answer to the
clerk of the courts question whether | was
guilty or not guilty;
I'VE are agreed that there is not sufficient
evidence to convict the prisoner"
That is no verdict at all, cried the Judge,
sharply. You must decide one way or an
other-guilty or not guilty"
For moment the foreman seemed dubi-
Gus, and, STOPPING to his companions, spoke
to them in whisper. Then he said:
Not guilty, my lord
l was acquitted but the manner of the ac-
quittal was cruel enough, leaving it clear
that the moral presumption was against me,
though tho evidence was inadequate. L did
not quite realize this at the time, but | had
hitter rause to remember it afterward.
A little later, | was standing, a Tree man.
in the parlor of small inn, whittier had
been led By John Rudd, and where | found
my aunt and uncle waiting for me. l cannot
say that it was altogether a joyful meeting
The shadow of death seemed still upon us
all John Rudd alone was jubilant, ana in
sisted on drinking healthS all rOund. Nv
uncle, usually an ahStemouS man. drank
eagerly, but the drink, instead OF cheering
him. seemed to make him glOOmier than
ever.
1t had been arranged that my aunt and
uncle were to return in the wagon that even
ing with John Rudd, who had postponed the
hour of his departure in order to await the
result Of the trial, and they urged me eager
" TO accompany them. | was in no hurry
however, to hasten back to ST. GJlrlotts. My
plans as far as | was yet able to shape them,
were to leave England, perhaps working out
my passage to the colonies on some outward
bound vessel.
While we were sitting together, a waiting
girl beckOned Inc out: and following hvr in
to another room, / found Madeline waiting
to speak to me- Directly our eyes met, she
held out both her hands, and [ took them
eagerly III mine. Then, for the first time.
my emotion mastered me; and, fairly sob
bing, | almost sank upon my knees before
her.
Il was right, you see," she said, tenuCriy.
II knew they would never condemn YOU"
Il owe my life to you" | answered. in
voice chOled with tears.
She smiled sweetly, and shook her head.
Even if it were 50, it IS only doing as |
have been done by; but no one ever doubted
your innocence from the first. And HOW. tell
me- what are you going to do? OF course.
you are returning to st. GurlOtt'S?"
81 cannot tell. God help me- | can hardly
realize it all yet! 1t will never be the same
place to lie again"
Suppose" She said, looking at me thought
fully, ''suppoSe l could persuade my cousin
to relnstate you aS OVelseer OF the mine"
Gle Wolt,d never do that" | replied; land
even were lie willing, it would be imnoSsi-
b g. II is like You, 1t is like your heavenly
goOdnrSs Ia think of it; but it is oiti Of the
question. ] rhink there Is but one crtltol 10Y
me TO adopt. ana That iS--to leave England
You mast not! She cried, quick ), For
all Onr saie>. for iamr.
For }oGtr sake" | rtiurn Il.
YES, surely"
IOu--yoH WON'T WlSh me 10 STAY
She looked embarrassed. but almost in
'tantly replied:
Yes. | should not like 10 think that y0u
had been driven away. St Gurlotts Is your
LONGEVITY should you quit it">
| could not answer her | could moi speak
to her again of my poverty, my want q loot
hold in the world. / could not remind her
that all | cared for in England VS. her
friendship and sweet cOmpaniOnShip, which
knew, alas! could not long be mine, But
as | looked into her face, and thought "I the
hopeless distance between us, there ran
through my brain the words of the beautiful
old song:
Attic thou maun never be mine,
AlthO even hope is dened,
IT'S sweeter for thee despairing
Than aught in the world besidel''
After little space she spoke again:
Whether you return there or not, at least
you will let me help you"
Help me? Have you not done sO-ah,
far more than | deserve?'
But L am rich, while YOU are poor
Not so poor as that / answered, eagerly,
mot SO poor that | would take money even
from your hand. Aldo not ask me! 70
deny you anything gives me pain, but let me
keep my independence-all that my ill-tort-
une has left me in the world"
Promise me at least one thing"
Yes
Not to depart from England without let
ting me knOw-without seeing me again"
'Tll promise that freely. Then you-you
will permit me to see you once more?"
She smiled her answer After a few more
words, she held out her hand and said
"GoOd-bye." [ walked with her to the inn
door.
My cousin is waiting for me in the mark
et-place," she said HE is going to drive
me back to RedTuth House.
As she spoke, George Redruth himself APP
peared, turning the corner of the street in
a high dog-cart driven by himself, and drawn
by pair Of fine bays. He came up at
walk, and directly his eyes fell upon us, his
face grew black as thunder.
He pulled up, while the groom sprung
down and went to the horses heads.
Il couldn't think where you'd got to- he
cried. Il have been waiting for the last half
hour"
Il came to speak to Mr.. Trelawney,' re-
piled Madeline, quietly, land to congratulate
him on his acquittal."
SO it seems. Well, we've long drive be
fore MS, ana it : time We We're oil.
He did not even look at me until just as |
had assisted Madeline to her place by his
side, when our eyes met and [ saw ii his
face an expression Of mercileSS jealousy and
hate. l knew then that he was mad at my
escape-that in his cold dislike and distgust
of me, he would gladly have witnessed my
condemnation TO miserable DEATH
Goodbye, Mr.. Trelawneyr cried Made
fine grasping my hand again. ''Good-bye;
and do not forget your promise"
\ sharp cut of the whip started off the
horses. and | had to draw back hastily to
avoid the carTiage-wheels. As they drove