Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1896-11-19

IL you would ever lCOk upon my lace
again! l have sought you, Alma, with
purpose. Sit down while 1 unfold
it to you. Sit down, say, since you
cannot stand" said Mr. Elverton,
pointing TO the trunk Of a felled tree
that lay across their path, and upon
which Alma Immediately sank.
Mr.. Elverton stood at 4 short dis
lance, with his arms folded, leaning
against an oak.
You know something of this whole
sale poisoning at Allworth Abbey?"
he began.
'Oh, yes, sir,' answered Alma shud-
dering.
''Row much 90 you know"
Gas much as had been made public
through the coroner's inquest"
and that's nothing-worse than
nothing, since it is tissue of false
deductions! What. opinion have. you
formed from the facts elected by the
coroner's inquest?'
'Slr, cannot form any,"
'What do you think of the guilt or
innocence Of the accused girl, Eudora
Leaton?"
ooh, sir. dare not think of that at
all, the subject is so painful to me-"
LOU lH1uh ucf guilty, lucu:
II would to heaven that could be-
lieve her innocent, for 1 loved her.
Oh, my father, she always looked
kindly toward me, and in my loneli-
ness loved her," said Alma in bro
ken voice.
Believe her innocent, then, for she
is So" said Hollis Elvcrton, with SOL
emn earnestness.
'Oh, my dear father! Is this really
true? Is my poor Eudora innocent2
oh, prove that her soul is guiltlcss of
this great crime, and shall not break
my heart-no-not even if she dies for
it!'' cried Alma, starting up, Selling
his hand, and gazing eagerly into his
face.
1t was the first time their hands had
met; aud Hollis Elvcrtor, shuddering.
~, shook off her grasp, as he an
swered:
Eyes; it is true'
Are you sure of it?'
Gas sure of it as can be of any
thing on earth"
'How do you know it? What do you
know of it,"
Il know Eudora is innocent, and 1
know who is guilty."
ooh, my father! can you prove this?
will you prove this?'
''Ah. Alma. moral certainty is not
legal evidence! l repeat, 1 know Eu-
dora Leaton is innocent, and l know
who is guilty; but have no means as
yet to prove the guilt of one or the in
nocence of the other But Alma, you
are the Well-wisher of the accused
grip
ooh, yes; oh. YES"
"And you will take my word for her
innOcence:"
"Oh, yes! it is easy to have faith in
what we wish to believe"
''Then you must become my agent in
doing all that may be done for this in
nocent, injured and unhappy girl"
Willingly, my father"
Listen, then: Although Eudora Lea
ton is heiress to one of the largest es-
tates in this country, yet, being a
minor, and ward in chancery, l doubt
she is without ready money to procure
proper counsel for her defense; and
her only friend, her aftianced husband,
Mr.. Malcolm Montrose, is, / fear, as
poor as herself. having nothing but
small income from his Highland place
And it is highly desirable that she
should have the very best counsel to
be procured for money; for it is said
that the attorney general himself will
come from London to conduct this
very important case. Therefore, AL
ma. as l have vital interest in the
acquittal Of this innocent girl, and the
conviction, If possible, Of the guilty
person, l must intrust you with this
money. Take it, and find means to
place 1t either in the hands Of Malcolm
Montrose or in those of Eudora Lea
ton; and say to either with whom you
leave it, that it is furnished by n
friend who believes in her innocence,
and that 1t Is intended to he devoted
to her Defense" said Hollis Elverton,
placing bank notes for n large amount
In Alma's hands.
II will take 1t to Miss Leaton her.
self, dear father; ! can do 1t very well.
as no one ever inquiries how l spend
my days."