Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1895-03-29

doesn't it2 It seems incredible
that two lovers should carry on
all their correspon dence through
a third person."
"Oh, he said he once received a
letter from Lady holland when
Miss Despard was away on a
holiday"
"Where is itl"
"He destroyed 1t at herrtqnest."
Mr.. Britely reflected.
"Bow long ago was III" he ask
ed at last.
About two months 60"
"Well, tbeG, he must remember
pretty accurately its contents.
Now, listen, Mr.. II ,Oker. AN
rather impressed by the prisoners
statement, and | want you to test
it for me. GJ to him tomorrow
aud ask him TO give you as nearly
as lie can remember cOpv, word,
for word, of this letter. Y)u write
it out again on paper similar to
that On which he says it was or
iginally written and bring it to me.
Before leaving him ask him again
in the most solemn way whether
or not his story IS trne. Tell hi II
from me tha: | Will act on his word;
that as the case stands now, with
ont his story, there is no chance
of his escape, but if act on HIS
story, and it turns ont untrue, he'll
be hanged as SIRE as death. If,
however, his story is true and |
act on it he'll probably escape"
"WhAt are you going to do?'
asked .Mr. BeIlOe.
"YOu'lI see tomorrow. Pm of to
bed, was Mr.. B:itely's only an
swer.
Next morning, Just befor" the
case WAS called on, Hr BritelS
and Mr.. Belize came INTO court.
A minute later NJ. Hooker joined
them.
Capt. Oliver" he whispered to
Mr.. Brtely, says his statement Is
literally true, bat he leaves 1t to
your discretion whether or not You
shall act on it,
"But for that hedging | would
believe tue fellow" ans Tered Mr..
Briefly. "Now, scarcely know
whatever to believe him or not.
Is that tue copy of the letter?'
"Yes, ST. answered NJ Hook
er.
"Let me see it.'
He looked 1t Ovar carefully.
every WELL" lie then sald""We'l'
see how things go"
Just then the j ldge entered
Immediately aftergard the jury
were sworn in, and soon the cOun
sci tor the prosecution was open
;ng the case.
The witnesses who we're called
r to prove the prisoners presence In
r Braxby we're not cross examined
= al all, much to the astOnishmen
3 of the court. H 'rsley, the groom
r who was called to prove his pres
e ence in the park in company will
D Mss Despard, was cross examined
r but again, to the astOniSh men
of the court, not with the object D
showing that Oliver was not in the
park. bn: that the lady with bin
vas not Miss Despard.
"You say" Mr.. Britely said to
a him, "that the lady you saw Will
. the prisoner Was Miss Despardi"
"So thought, sir" answered
o the groom.
"But were you surei" asked MI
4 Britely.
"Yes, / AN sure sir"
: "B It were yOu sure at the tim
r you saw thelni"
IS The groom hesltated.
r "Come; now, were you sure then
or have you become convinced
T. sincer persisted Mr.. Briefly.
3 "WelI perhaps l wasn't quite
.e sure at the time," admit d tn
d groom.
! "Just so. Now did she lOOl
taller than Hiss Desparii"
r. "Yes, [ thought at first she DID,
p scquIsced the groom,
r, "Die she walk more erectV
o. "perhaps she did-yes, l thin
! she did,
'In fact, did you not at hr'
=. think It WAS somebOd, elsei"
) "Well, yes; think did, SIR
"Whom did sou thluk it wasi"
ID The groom hesitated.
;" "Come, uow," urged Mr.. BritelY
e. swell, | thought for the momeu
e it was my lady"
a "And you Only saw her It
Ig nomenl?'
10 "Yes, sir: but Pm sure it wa