Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1893-11-04

- society.
But for this should never have IN
dertaken his defense in this last case,
my best feelings were so against him
not that ! was an migrate. but because
believed that he hal murdered his
wife.
1t was claimed by their closest friends
that be loved her the first few years Of
their united life, though never be-
lieyed this-it seemed such a manifest
lmpossihility.
Being entirely in his confidence, he
often came to my Office, pallid and
trembling to tell me Of some new vul-
gar violence OF hers, which had driven
him TO the last extremity Of despera-
ton.
And so, one morning. when Mrs.
Duke was found dead with an ugly
stab through her heart, her husband
standing over her with a reeking knife
IN hand, naturally believed that he
had killed her.
He was in a state Of wild excitement
when entered the sheriffs Office, in
answer to his summons. Until that
moment no n had succeeded in get
ting a word out OF him about the mat.
ter.
What does it all mean?' / asked,
when we were alone,
II don't know, he gasped Il don't
know whether it was who killed her
or not But don't want to die, !
mustn't be allowed to die. You must
defend me-you must save me"
An unusual noise in Mrs. Dukes
room had attracted the buffers atten-
ton on the morning Of the murder.
On entering he saw Mr.. Duke rising up
knhe IN hand, from the PROSTATE body
OF ms WIFE, as II he had just stabbed
her.
Mr.. Duke was found guilty and SEN
fenced to death. He was to be hanged
IN forty-hye days, Reopening a case at
nat Time was not the easy thing it is
now ana found II impossible 10 get
MN d ne" rrlal.
oh ana on those grace days swept,
'n2'5 win lgn'nlng swlftness'
uh''l inc ume set Tor the execution
was but nifty hours off. | was desper-
aue' DuEe was frantic
o must 20 TO the governor, - he
cr'eG' az length You must get a
PaiIOH ior me,
Impossible ! answered. There
iAh enough time,
res there Is This IS Wednesday
morning and I'm not to hang until
! rlday noon The train goes in an
honr II you leave here at once you
can make the trip and get back here in
''Ihr.
'hut on what pretext? Simply see
ing Il governor wiIl DO no good. u
must think OF a pretext on the
way Doh stay mere and talk. You
are "astihR an ana my lie must be
Sd'el' 10 90 al once
Detected and reckless, scarcely know.
ing what was about, clambered
on BOARD the train at the last moment
ana went whir!lng away toward the
governor, bent on a wild, mad purpose,
men ! hue" ~ only prove entire
y irultiess
"Heh the statlon next to my desti-
nation was reached a oma came on
"'afu VINO instantly pounced on Inc
anu HlSaed me II was my niece.
"hat under the sun is the matter
WIN your she demanded.
"nen told her of poor Dukes pre-
a'cathent her lace became very grave,
but the moment she discovered nv
business "ith n governor it bright
ehed.
no very fortunate!" she exclaimed,
ciapplng her hands gleefully.
What" demanded, nearly stupe-
heu with ainazement
Leave it all to me-" she said, land |
VIII save your friend. No-I'm not
crazy. Listen! Last night the gov
n proposed to me. OF course | love
MN dearly, and so | refused to give
hlm an answer. I'll promise to marry
HIM on the condition that he pardons
poor old Duke"
She was as good as her word. and six
hours later | was on board another
train homeward bound and in nv,
pocket was a reprieye for Duke-tbe
case against him being so strong that
the governor deemed a full nardon inn.
polite then. The reprieve granted him
another three months, though. and nv