Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1897-01-14

poor, tender girl. with the scaffold
staring her IN the face? l wonder she
isn't (lend already. for my part; and 1
am sure think it would be u mercy
and u blessing II she was"
ut would. indeed" muttered NAL
colin.
But there is one thing l breads for
her more nor Ill the rest-mOre even
nor the last thing OF ALL"
"And what is that?" inquired NAL
colin. in Il sinking voice.
"Why. sir. the reading o. the death
warrant to her; and it's my belief as
the sheriff don't like the job himself,
as he has put it Off so long-and 1
doubt it'll be the death Of her without
any more trouble. Why. lor', sir, I've
seen the darc-devcilest rltfians, as you
would think they'd &C through fire and
brin stone, and face Satan himself,
blanch as white rs sheet at hearing
of that read. Why. lor', you see, sir,
it do go into all the particulars, so
cruel plain, telling all about how they
are to be"
81 know-I know!" hastily Interrupt
ted Malcolm, with sickening faintncss
stealing over him. But, tell me, is
this formality never In any case omit
ted?"
81 beg your pardon, sir" said the
perplexed wardrcss.
Does not the sheriff sometimes fail
to read the death warrant to the con-
demned prisoncr?'
"Not as ever hear on. Sir; no,
believe not. But sure you ought to be
able to tell. SIR"
81 know very little OF these formali-
ties" answered Malcolm.
They had by this time reached the
lower hall, where their way divided.
Mrs. Barton courtesied, and turned
off towards her own apartment; and
Mr.. Montrose, with GREATNESS lungs,
bursting heart, and burning brain. hIr-
ried out into the open air.
All that he had seen, heard and felt
during this mornin's visit to the prison,
confirmed rim in his resolution to keep
faith with Amelia, and he immediate
ly set about making all external ar
rangements for possible rescue.
Amelia might be mad; her un-
known scheme might be vain.
useless, dangerous, fatal There
might not be one chance in a million
of it's success; yet it was the only
hope of rescue for Eudora. and as the
despairing snatch at the very shadow
of hope, he resolved to embrace it.
Good reason had the kind-hearted
wardress to dread the ordeal to which
Eudora's fortitude was soon to be sub
jected. Mrs. Barton had just gone in
to the cell to take her afternoons turn
at guarding the prisoner when several
footsteps were heard approaching. the
door was unlocked, and the sheriff, at
tended by the gaoler, entered.
The manner Of the sheriff was grave
even to solemnity; that of the gaoler
was very sorrowful.
Eudora hastily arose from her re-
cumbent posture, and sat up, glancing
i'll surprise and vague dread but with
out the least suspicion Of their errand,
upon the intruders.
Mrs. Barton, who knew what was
coming, got up and passed towards the
door, crying:
LET ME go away, Mr.. Anderson
please. sir, do! l can't stand tin
deed, sir can't!'
"Stay where You are, woman" an
swered the governor. in a low voice.
And Mrs. Barton, forced to obey,
sank into her seat.
This is Mr.. Rushton. the sheriff of
the county, Miss Leaton, who has
some business with you this after
noon," said the gaoler. in a faltering
voice. as he presented the visitor.
Eudora arose, and slightly bowed in
acknowledgment of the sheriffs pres
cnce, and then resumed her seat. But
far from surmising the nature of his
business with her, she flushed with
transient hope that the paper he car
ried in his hand might possibly be
communication of her sentence-a res
pite, or even u pardon! While her
face flushed and paled. her heart beat,
and her pulses quickened with this
hope. the sheriff slowly unfolded the
document. and said:
Il have a necessary duty to per-
form. Miss Leaton. and must request
you to give your attention to the read
ing Of this paper"
Something in his manner banished
Eudora's new hopes. and brought back
her vague fears. and while she gazed
with eyes dilated by terror, the sher-
if commenced in distinct voice, and
read, with all it's plain. clear. cruel de-
tails, the warrant for her execution.
But before the reading of the war
rant that consigned her to speedy,
pubic, shameful, and violent death,
was completed, Eudora's fortitudc
gave way, and with a piercing shrek
she fell to the floor.
There, hope and trust, with all nv
heart and soul, as you've finished her
and put her out of her misery noww
sobbed Mrs. Barton, as she FASTENED
to raise Eudora.
The sheriff, having done his painful
duty. retreated from the cell. attended
by the gaoler, and leaving Eudora to
the care Of the wardress.
Mrs. Barton lifted the swooninc girl.
and laid her upon the bed, and applied
such restoratives as she kept at hand
for her recovery. 1t was a long time
before the deadly swoon could be
broken by the pungent stimulants that
were used. Alas! return to conscious
ness was only return to thought. to
memory. and to agonizing terror.
Sobs shrieks. and spasms that could
not be contcolled, expressed the an
guish. despair, and wild alright that
shook her life and reason to their
foundations.
Mrs. Barton did all that the most
tender nurse or moi hpr could how,