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

And committed for what purpose.
great heaven! for what purposes What
object could I have had in the de-
.structiony Of my own nearest kindred,
dearest friends and only protectorss"
demanded the accused girl. In tone
Of impassioned grief, indignation and
horror.
sYour object was obvious TO the
dullest comprehension; 1t forms one OF
the strongest points In the evidence
against you," said the implacabie doc
tor.
..My object, then, what was its You,
who charge me with the crime, de-
clare the object!" exclaimed Eudora,
rlvetting upon his face her Naxing
eyes, through which her rising and In
dignant soul flashed reputation at so
vile charge.
'sYour object, girl, was the Inherit
ance of their estates. Lord and Lady
Leaton and their daughter being dead,
you are the sole heireSs of unencum-
bered Allworth," replied the unflinch-
ing physician.
The fire that flashed from her eyes,
the color that burned upon her cheeks
died slowly out. The pallor Of unut-
terable horror spread like death over
her face. She reeled as though she
must have fallen to the door, but re-
covered herself by violent effort.
Clasping her hands in the agonixlng
earnestness of her appeal, she ex-
claimed:
'sOh! does any one here believe this
Of me?"
Stern silence was the only reply.
madame Pexxilini, you have known
me intimately for months-do you be-
lieve it:'' she said, turning in an an
guish Of supplication to the Italian
princess.
"Belissima, my heart Is broken-do
not ask mer' said the princess, avert
ing her face.
Eudora turned her despairing eyes
to the crowd of stern, pitiless, &C.
cusing faces around her, and, seeing
the, form of Malcolm Montrose in the
background, she extended her clasped
hands in passionate prayer toward
him. and the tones of her voice arose,
wild, high and piercing in the agony
Of her last appeal, as she cried:
'sMr. Montrose! oh, Mr.. Montrose!
you do not believe me to be such
fiend?"
"No, no, nov' said Malcolm earnestly,
fervently, vehemently, as he pushed
his way through the crowd and came
to her side and took her hand. "No,
Eudora, do not believe it! I have
never for an instant been tempted to
believe it. You are innocent Of the
very thought of evil, and this l will
uphold both in private and in public.
/ will stand by you like brother; l
will aid, protect and defend you to the
last, so far as you have need of me,
and power to serve you; and to this
1 pledge my life and soul and honor!
And as keep this pledge to you, may
heaven deal with me at my own great
est extremity. Take comfort, sweet
girl. Your innocence is a mighty, in
vincible stronghold, which all these
atrocious charges must assail in vain"
"Oh, thanks! thanks! thanks" said
Eudora. her fiery eyes melting into the
first tears that she had shed since her
arrest.
"Mr. Montrose, I would recommend
you to be cautions" said the doctor,
severely, "for, let me inform you,
young gentleman, that you are not so
far removed from suspicion as your
friends would wish! Your bethrothal
to the late Miss Leaton and your at
tachment to the present one are both
too well known already. And assure
you the propriety of your own arrest
as an accomplice to this crime was Sc
riously discussed at the inquest"
The cheeks of Malcolm Montrose
flashed. and he made one threatening
step towards his accuser, then, recol-
lecting himself, he dropped his hand,
saying:
sNo, no, no! you are an old friend Of
the family, and it is your zeal alone
for them that urges you to such indie
corous speech and action. And since
the wisdom of the coroner's jury was
engaged with the question of my ar
rest. I wish to Heaven they had Or
dered it! Since they have found YER
dict against this innocent girl, l would
to the Lord they had found one
against me as her accOmplice, that l
might stand where she will have to
stand; meet wnat she will have to
meet; and endure what she will have
to endure! Go. tell the nearest magis-
trate from me that in all the felonies
Eudora Leaton has committed NAL
colin Montrose has been her alder and
abettor-nay, her instigator! Tell him,
from me, that when Eudora Leaton
poisoned her kindred, Malcolm Mont
rose procured the bane and mixed the
drink! Tell him that when Eudora
Leaton is in the prison cell, or waits
In the prisoners dock, or stands upon
the scaffold, Malcolm Montrose should
be by her side as far the more guilty
Of the two! Tell him this from me,
and get me arrested, and will thank
your
"You are mad, Mr.. Montrose, as, in
deed, the events of this day are well
calculated to make you,' replied the
doctor.
Then, turning to the officer, he said:
st is getting late; had you not bet
ter remove your prisonerY
at is some distance to the county
gaol, sir. Is there such thing as a
chaise in the stables, that could have
the use of to carry her in? or else is
there messenger I could send to the
LeatOn Arms to fetch Onew inquired