The Neihart herald. [volume] (Neihart, Mont.) 1890-1901, 1898-04-23
prise and horror. the cornse of the girl

away SO as TO expose a wound In the
fair white flesh. His natural emotion
was at once taken as an evidence of
guilt, and he heard whispered COM
ments to that effect.
The 81 told you so" Of the man who
had befc1e volunteered his testimony
particularly attracted his attention, and
from that instant he watched him as
closely as possible without being de-
tected, and, summoning courage, he
turned to the pompous justice and de-
manded what vas intended by such an
unusual proceeding.
1T Is the ueath test!" was the solemn
response.
"You will have to explain more fully.
l do not understand"
w believe that the corps of a muir
derei person has power to distinguish
between the innocent and guilty. Place
ono hand upon that wound, raise the
other to heaven and assert your inno-
cence-if you dare. If you are indeed
without guilt all will be well. II not
the blood will flow again."
AT dhOlueI Llme MdTIlu "Ouiu ho'S
laughed outright at the stupid super
stition Of which he now remembered
to have often read.
"If guiltless why do you shrink
asked the man of law. at is only the
murderer that need fear"
He could hesitate no longer without
convicting himself in their eyes, and,
stepping to the side of the corpse, he
laid his right hand Upon the wound and
called God to witness his entire
cence. Then he stepped back so that
all could see that no blood had fol-
lowed.
God has attested your guiltlessness,"
said the uncle of the poor girl; "but.
see, the blood is beginning to flow. and
the guilty mar must be near. Let each
in turn do as this stranger has done"
In the opening of the wound and he
oozing Of the blood Martin saw far
more significant things than did the
afflicted old man, but he wisely held his
peace and managed to place his back
against the door so that 10 one could
go out, and watched Zach as they went
through the death test. But there were
no more crimson drops bubbling forth
as a sign Of guilt, and, as the justice
declared that all had gone through the
ordeal, a sigh of immense relief burst
from many lips.
Not ALL" replied Martin. There Is
one yet remaining" pointing to the one
who had made himself so oficious.
"That man has kept in the back
ground"
John Kirkpatrick, is this true?"
mo! 1t is a lie!' was the hoarse
answer.
at is true" repeated Martin, firmly.
"I have kept him under my eye all the
time, and | swear that he has not been
near the table"
81 have-you all saw me-"
But upon reflection no one had seen
him, and he was forced forward. Then
an entire change vas visible. His
flushed face grew pale as ashes and hi'
british lip trembled. He looked arount
wildly for a chance of escape, saw there
was none, and, putting on an air Of
UTdNduO, GAtldllllSu Will dill Jail.
"Well l can do it again"
With the words he had raised his
hand-was extending it-had nearly
touched the corpse, when he shranl
back with a fearful groan. His eyei
had been the first to see that the blood
was flowing freely from the wounds
not one alone, but all!
Astrong nan at all times, he was
rendered doubly SO now by desperation
and in his tremendous efforts to gel
away his coat was torn to shreds, ant
the jewelry and money of which thu
girl had beer robbed fell to the floor
and, raving and cursing, he was car
ried away to prison.
Durisg this exciting scene Martin hat
remained ~unnoticed. When the justic,
again they found him with his hanC
upon his mobile lips.
and the uncle of the girl thought of hin
What is it?" they asked in a breath
"She is not dead! Show me where
a place her upon a bed and sum.
mon some She is not dead
only stunned" And he lifted her II
his strong arms and carried her Il
another apartment.
1t was weeks before Ethel Lorini
was sufficiently recovered to appear il
court.
Then her evidence was conclusive
She instantly recognized the prisoner
and the simple manner in which sh,
told the story of assault, robbery ant
attempted murder added much to it
force. Without leaving the box tn
jury found him guilty, and he was sen
fenced to serve a long term in prison
a sentence cut short by death.
The trial over, the uncle of the CIR
called Martin aside and asked the bill
for his professional services.
1T is a very large ope," was the half
serious and half-quizzical reply.
mo matter, l will pay it l will Civ
you anything you demand"
Here. then, is my charge" he re
piled, taking the hand of the blushini
girl. 81 came here to study geology
but never anticipated finding such
rare specimen"