The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1896-01-25
Murder. The terrible word seemed to

Murder. The terrible word seemed to
be echoed from the surrounding hills and
filed the hearts of the people with awe
And too true was the awful tidings; a
fiendish murder had been committed, and
the victim was Goefrey Blake.
And the murderer; he was found bent
over the postrate form of his victim with
blOod-stained dagger in his hand Gerald
O'Conner, the lover of his daughter-and
was now safely lodged in prison.
Another man was also found lying al
most dead little way off from where the
crime was committed, with terrible
wound in his head. He was farm hand
of Mr.. Blake's and was conveyed to his
home.
The terror which filled the people when
the terrible deed had reached them, had
now passed away, and desire to be
avenged on the murderer had taken its
place, and foremost in his indignation was
Anthony Bell, who urged them on in their
wrath, and were it not that the prisoner
was removed to the county jail, the prob
ibility is that he would have been hung
without trial of judge or jury.
Two weeks after the burial of Mr. Blake
Pthe trial was to take place, and-on the
evening before the fixed day Gerald o.
Conner sat in his cell, his bead resting on
his hands,
Only two weeks since his arrest, and a
change came over him in that short time;
every trace of color had left his cheeks,
and his eyes were sunk in their sockets.
''Oh, God what have | ever done to
merit this terrible torture that Is killing
me? the murderer of Goefrey Blake,
a man whom would shed the last drop
of blood to serve. No, no There is
some terrible mistake made; for he was
dead when discovered him with dag
ger buried in his heart. And the people
all believe that am guilty of so foul a
crime Poor mother, what agony must
she not be suffering; and Molly, oh, heav-
en- does she too think me guilty?
His head sank lower, his chest heaved
with emotion, and the great sobs that es-
capped him depicted the agony which he
suffered.
He did not hear the bolt of the cellar
door shoot back, nor was he aware that
any one entered till a hand laid on his
shoulder and 2 VOICE said,
''Gerald p
He raised his head like one awakening
from a dream.
"Gerald, don't you know me p asked
his visitor, as no sign of recognition was
evinced by him.
''Yes, Molly, l do, he answered in
mournful accents, ''and do you believe me
guilty of this terrible crime? If so how
came you to seek the presence of one whom
yoa believe to be the murderer of your
father?
''0h, Gerald how can you accuse me
so? / believe You to be guilty ?-no |
am sure that you never committed the
crime of which you stand accused. Trust
in Him who knows all, and He will not
let the innocent suffer for the guilty"
s'Your words tighten the terrible load
that lies on my heart and makes it easier
for me to bear; but the evidence is so
strong against me that it is mockery to
hope. ] have made up my mind that 1
am to be made the victim to atone for a
crime of which l am falsely accused. "
''Do not give way to despair, for God
will not permit you to suffer for the crime
of another; and now, as the time is up,
and hear the jailer coming, l must leave
you, so gOod-by for tonight, and she
pressed his cold hand in her own.
"Good night, Molly, and may God
bless you p