Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1896-12-03
CHAPTER v.

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| CHAPTElk v.
Through all this long, dreadful In
vestigation, Eudora had remained In
the death chamber Of Lady Leaton,
bowed down with grief, but uncon-
scious of the heavy clouds that were
gathering darkly over her young head.
She had seen the body OF her aunt
carried away from the chamber to-
wards the crimson drawing-room,
where the coroner's inquest was held,
and where the post-mOrtem examina-
ton was made.
She had been called in her turn to
give her separate testimony before the
jury, and she had described the deaths
of Agatha and that of Lady Leaton
simply as she had witnessed them.
| She had not omitted to mention cir.
cumstance that she had regarded as a
dream-namely, the passage and dis
| appearance of dark-robed woman In
Agatha's chamber. At the close of her
testimony she had been conducted
| back to the chamber from which she
had been taken, and there she had
tarried through the remainder of the
investigation.
Half stunned with grief, she felt no
disposition and made no attempt to
leave the room. She saw the police
men guarding the doors, but did not
even suspect that she was their pris-
oner. She had noticed in the morning
the strange regards of those around
her, but, absorbed in sorrow for the
loss of her relatives, the circumstance
had nassed from her mind
In the course of the day food and
drink had been sent to her by the
thoughtful attention of Malcolm Mon
trose, but she had partaken of nothing
but cup of tea.
And now, at the close of this long
and terrible day, she remained as has
been said, bowed down with grief, but
totally unsuspicious Of the dark storm
that was gathering around her. She
sat in a low chair beside the now
empty bed, with her head down upon
the coverlet, so dead to all external
Impressions that the door opened and
the room half-filled with people before
she moved. There was the Princess
Pezzilini, Malcolm Montrose, DR.. Wat
kins, the officer who brought the war
rant, and two policemen that kept the
doors, and a crowd Of male and female
servants drawn thither by curiosity.
And still Eudora did not look up.
The Princess Pezzilini glided softly
to her side and stood bending over
her with looks of compassion; then
raising her blue eyes, swimming in
tears, to the faces Of the doctor and
Mr.. Montrose, she said:
"Forgive me; I know that she is
most guilty and that 1, Of all persons,
should most condemn her, for she has
destroyed my benefactress; but she is
SO young, l cannot help plying her.
for we know that the more guilty the
wretched girl may be the more need
| full of compassion she is"
The voice of the princess sounding
| 80 near her ear caused Eudora to look
| up; and at the same moment the officer
| who held the warrant advanced, and,
| LAYING his hand upon her shoulder,
said:
"AIiss Eudora Leaton, you are my
| prisoner"
She did not understand. She arose
quickly to her feet and looked inquir-
ingly into the face of the constable,
and from his face into those of the
persons that crowded the room and
| gathered around her. AS her star-like
eyes ranged around the circle the eyes
Of those she looked upon sank to the
ground, while dark frowns lowered
upon every brow.
AS she gazed her perplexity gave
place to vague alarm.
"What is the matter? What is the
meaning of this"' she inquired in
faltering accents.
An ominous silence followed her
question, while the eyes Of the crowd
were once more fixed sternly upon her
"Why do you look upon me SO?
What is it? Will no one speak?" she
demanded, while a vague, overpower-
ing terror took possession Of her heart
Tell her, officer, and put an end to
this" sternly commanded the doctor.
"A1iss Eudora Leaton, you are my
prisoner" repeated the constable,
again laying his hand upon her.
"Your prisonerv' she exclaimed,
shrinking in dismay and adherence
from the degrading touch. "Your
prisoner! What do you mean?'
"Tell her, officer, and end this re-
peated the doctor, while Eudora look:
ed wildly from one to the other and
sank back in her. chair.
"Miss Leatol,"' said the constable,
lblandly, tine GROWERS quest has Deen
and found verdict against you,
charging you with poisoning of your
Aunt Matilda, Lady Leaton, and your
cousin, the Hon. Agatha Leaton; and
this paper in my hand is the crowner's
warrant for your arrest"
Before he had finished Eudora had
sprung to her feet, and now she stood
with her dark starry eyes dilated and
blazing with horror that approached
insanity.
At length she found her voice. Clasp
ing her hands and raising her eyes, in
a passion of self-vindica ton, she ex-
claimed:
"Great Lord of heaven! is there any
one on earth capable Of such heinous
crimes? Is there any one here who
believes me to be so?"
The doctor came to her side, saying:
''Young girl, the proof against you is
too clear to leave doubt upon the
mind Of any one present"
"Proof? How can there be proof of
that which never happcnel-which
never could have happened! A crime
which my very soul abll0rs; ut which
| my whole fra ma Shuddars from which