Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1896-12-17


having seen the shadow of q wOman's
Form upon the wall, and heard the rus
.io If n woman's dress along the floor
~ her husbands chamber q few mo-
u,ants before he drank the fatal sleep
tho draught that stood upon the stand
has;da his bed on the night of his
death.
mart of the record and read the evil
dence given by the late Miss Leaton in
which she deposed that, at the very
time at which her mother heard the
noise and saw the shadow in her faith
er's room, Eudora was seated beside
Acathas bed, engaged in the vain
effort to read the restless invalid to
Finally, he referred to the record Of
the second coroner's inquest, and read
the evidence given by Eudora Leaton.
in Which she testified that, while
Watching by the bedside Of her cousin,
on the night Of her death, she fell into
light slumber, from which she
was awakened by the impression
of some one moving about the room,
and that at the moment of opening her
eyes, she saw a figure steal away
through the door opening into her own
lowing the figure, she found the next
room vacant, and therefore fancied
that her half-awakened senses had de-
ceived her.
"rhe evidence which l have just
read" continued Counsellor Fenton.
ms he returned the documents to the
hands of his clerk, sis so significant.
so important, so vital to the cause Of
Justice, that, had it been permitted to
have it's due influence with the coro-
ner's Jury, no such cruel suspicion
could have fallen upon Eudora Leaton
as that which has placed her here on
trial for her life. And now at least,
when the evidence shall be duly con-
sidered, it must entirely eXonerate this
innocent girl. From that evidence,
gentlemen of the jury, draw the
whole theory of this most mysterious
chain Of crime. and that theory l
would undertake to establish, as the
only true one, to your perfect satisfac-
ton. rM,
"Thc whole Leaton family have per-
ished by the hand Of the poisoner.
True-alas! most horribly true! But
who, then, is that poisoner? Who but
that nocturnal visitor, who had stolen
l;Se a fell assassin to the chamber of
Agatha Leaton, and while her watcher
slumbered, put the poison into her
drink, and whose ill-boding form was
seen by the awakening watcher to
steal away and disappear in the dark
ness? Who, but that midnight intru-
der who, in the temporary absence OF
Lady LeatOn, glided like an evil spirit
to the bedside of Lord Leaton, ana
dropped the deadly drug into his drink,
1x-Io I'M
by Lady Leaton to sweep across the
floor like the trailing wings of a de-
mon, and whose dark shadow was seen
to glide swiftly along the. wall like its
vanishing form?
But who was this fiend in human
form. Not Eudora Leaton. whom the
testimony of the late Agatha Leaton
proved to have been at that hour en-
gagged in another place. Who then
was it? Heaven only knows! But
whoever it might have been it was one
who, in resolving upon the destruction
of the whole neaton family. had de
termined upon the death Of Eudora
too! One, who in carrying out the fell
purpose of extirpation, while COM
passing the death of Lord and Lady
Leaton and their daughter, took meas.
ures to fix the crime upon Eudora
Leaton for her ruin. The same fiend
who. in the midnight glided into the
chamber of Agatha Leaton, and in
fused the deadly ignatia into her cool
Ing drink, in passing through Eudora'
room. deposited the fatal drug in hel
drawers to fix this suspicion upon her
1t was most diabolical plot, worthy
only of the accursed spirits of Tophet
"This," he concluded, twas his the
DRY Of the murders, theory that he
most fervently believed to be the true
One-a theory that he most earnestly
entreated the jury to deeply consider
before consigning young, lovely and
accomplished woman; delicate. sens.
tive, refined being; a most injured and
unhappy, yet most innocent maiden
TO the deep dishonor Of capital con
vlction, the unspeakable wretchedness
or Il blighted name. and the horrible
martyrdom of public death!'
The advocate sat down really, not
professionally, overcome by hic emo
lions.
Tie infnence of this address upon
the unhappy girl was very beneficial
1T inspired her with hope; it revived
her sinking courage; it enabled her to
look up and breathe.
The effect upon the spectators was
seen by theE changed expression
They no longer regarded the poor
young prisoner with looks of horror
nut with eyes full Of compassion. But
the effect upon the guileless friends OF
1hr Anchorage was noteworthy.
Well, now, perhaps after all she dld
not do it, poor thing!" observed the
blunt admiral, whose convictions were
shaken by Mr. Fenton's address.
Didn't do it? Wing, Of course she
didn't do it!' exclaimed Mrs. sutton
who had been turned completely round
ny the advocates speech; tits certain
she didn't do 1t. Haven't you just
heard the nice gentleman in the gown
and wig explain how 1t was all u plot
against her. poor dear, motherles'
child? It's my belief as the attorney
general was In It; and It's my hopes
nell he found ont and punished.
don't believe the good queen knew
anything about 1t, as forward rs they
az" using her name In HE decker
ments"
~ love TINT dear. darling OLD Law