The state republican. (Jefferson City, Mo.) 1871-1896, 1896-03-12
A Story of the Civil War in
Missouri.
BY SIDNEY Z. POWELL
(Now First Published. }
CHAPTER XVIII.

with as well as weakness.
the sight of him stirred pity in many a
heart. Even those who were avowed
enemies, the confederates, overlooked
the hated blue uniform and thought
only of the poor suffering humanity
that was after all a brother.
Eyes grew moist when they saw the
prisoner supported by the two frail,
delicate girls, Elie and Mary. II or
the other tanning him, for the heat
was oppressive and in his weakness he
was almost fainting.
Mr.. Clayton was in the court room,
but he did not seem inclined to ap-
proach the prisoner or the group near
him. He had seen from Elites looks
that she had lost confidence in him and
no longer regarded him as a friend.
But in spite of her evident distrust
he thought to deceive her by protesta-
tions of his interest in the trial, and
his anxiety to clear Charlie.
AS they left the room at noon for
dinner he approached near enough to
say
Miss Ellie, l think we can clear
him / am doing all l can"
BLACK hearted villain, said Char.
lie, "you are doing all you can, but
not to clear me. God will see that
you are brought to justice.
Charlie, how could you say that to
him?' asked Ellie.
Il felt that he ought to be told the
truth" said Charlie. But, Ellie, l
can say, truthfully, that l am willing
to leave the vengeance with God. If
he succeeds in hanging me, and it
looks that way now, for he has bribed
witnesses, l shall submit as best |
can. Being innocent, it is nj worse to
me than any other death. l would
rather be the injured than the in
jurer."
The third day of the trial was draw
ing to its close and Bertha and her
mother had not arrived.
Hope was getting very faint now in
all of Charities friends. The evidence
seemed stronger against him the
longer the trial went on.
Mr.. Clayton had told Mrs. Dabney
how it was all going against Charlie,
and he thought the guilt would be
proven upon him. Her answer had
been
HE is nothing to me, and I want to
hear nothing about him.
Her heart seemed frozen within her,
now that John was a prisoner. But
she knit and slept and ate with all the
regularity of her better days, and
counted over and over the interest that
was accommodating on her little store
of wealth that was in the bank. That,
it seemed, had taken the place in he1
heart that alone was capable of feel
ing the place, children and home and
God should have held.
Mr.. Clayton was in the room prepar'
ing to 90 back to town to the trial. As
Mrs. Dabney felt no interest in hei
sons fate he thought he would say nc
more to her about him. Ellie was 9
much more interesting subject any
way, and Mrs. Dabney never weariet
of hearing her discussed. But though
many We're their talks and plans they
had not amounted to much. Her firm
ness seemed to grow frmer.
There is no turning the obstinate
girl, " Mrs. Dabney said, who wal
bent III her own ruin.
Mr.. Clayton, though, had not We
given up hope of winning her, Sucl
%unbounded faith had he in the power o
money that he thought nothing was to-
hard for it to do.
As he arranged his faultless dress be
fore the mirror, he wondered that an,
woman could so persistently refuse t.
love him, for, besides his thousands
his attractions of person could not b
denied.
\ knock on his door interrupted hi
thoughts, and Miss Margaret entered.
Lon, there is a stranger dow,
stairs, and wants to see you, He cam
from Cincinnati and says he has bust
ness with YOU"
cit is Il cousin, no doubt, h
said, "Mr. Warren, a fine lawyer
whom l have never met but twice.
am glad to see him"
rs he here to take part in Charlie
t%rial?" she asked.
"Of course not, he is here on
visit"
! With some agitation Mr.. Clayto
t went in and greeted the kinsman !
had professed to be so pleased at seeing
There was, evidently, not much plea
ure apparent in his greeting.
81 was necessitated to come to 81
5 you, announcement as it was to me,
said Mr.. Warren, that matter has
be settled now inside of two week
and l can wait no longer. If you ha'
accomplished nothing in this time,
is improbable you ever will, and "
had as well abandon it..
1 Mr.. Warren had the appearance
: meaning what he said, and MI. ella
= ton, his face distorted with ange
g know there was nj use to say anythin
n 81 promised you ten years ago
would wait on you, keeping the matt
:. to myself. / have done so. ] thong
y in this time you would have had 1t
settled, and been ready to have it ma
known"
81 have not yet settled it, is true
!. said Mr.. Clayton, "but am sure OF
70 a few weeks now, and I will acco'
plish it. i beg you to wait as long
you can, and ! will reward you har
somely."
Mr.. Warren smiled.
It "What If you do not succeedf "