The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1899-04-20

eS, tna6 last was true at any rate, for
there was L IN bed, weak as kitten,
with head tarobbing with painful in.
tensity. l could not even speak. I lay
there wondering how much had really
happened and how much was simply the
distorted imagination of a sick brain.
At last l summoned up my strength
and murmured one word.
In all instant my dearest was bending
over me. | opened my eyes and they
rested on the sweetest, the gladdest and
tie happiest face in England.
Thank God, darling" she whisper
ed--"thank God you have come back to
mel" And she bent over me and kissed
me.
Don't speak, dearest" she said as
the words strove to come. "The doctor
orders it. Try to sleep and remembe
that Mabel says ali is WE'LL
NY recovery was only a question of
time, with my dear one for my nurse,
and with nothing but good news to
learn rapidly gained ground.
Bit by bit all was told me. How Fitz-
gerald had informed against Gates, had
asserted his identity with Dacre and
Durant, and had charged him with the
murder. How Fitzgerald at his instiga-
ton had decoyed Mabel, and how she
had eventually escaped, after meeting
with Dick Lambert in her prison, and
finally how Keighley Gates had been
run to earth, and was now awaiting his
trial.
1t was tangled web of villainy they
told me, but it threw in bright relief
the joyous facts that Mabel was safe and
that George was again a free man,
proved guiltless of the terrible charge
that had been made against him.
Happiness reigned again in that
house, which had but lately been the
abode of terrible agony and distress.
Only one thought Swallowed our joy
the thought of the poor girl whose one
false step in life had brought upon her
such awful retribution.
The trial of Keighley Gates, on &C
count of all the circumstances attend
ing the crime, aroused an enormous
amount Of public excitement, and the
evidence Of Fitzgerald was eagerly
awaited. He stated that on the evening
in question he had met Gates by ap-
pointment, and after they had finished
their business he had the curiosity to
follow him. He said he saw him wait
ing in South Audley street, saw the
woman and George Fenton walk up to-
gether and finally part, saw Gates stop
the woman and saw her fall to the
ground with the dagger in her breast.
Jealousy was presumably the motive of
the crime. Gates knew of Georges at
tentions to his wife and Of their meet.
ings. That ne loved the woman cannot
be doubted. It is probable he did not
believe she did what she could to dis
courage her admirer. 1t was evident he
had planned the murder beforehand,
for he had gone to Georges rooms and
stolen the Venetian glass dagger SO that
suspicion should fall upon it's owner,
and fortune had favored his plans Had
not Fitzgerald informed, George Fenton
would have been hanged on what SEEM
ed absolutely convincing circumstantial
evidence.
George gave his evidence that on the
night in question he had parted from
the woman after high words. He had
again implored her to marry him, and
she had refused, again entreating him
to leave her foreyer. He had s@proaohed
her for her hear .iesar8gs, ana his heated
words had been heard by passeTgby, gir
ing terrible Interpretation to tho trag-
edy that followed.
Other evidence as to Mr. Keighley
Gates was forthcoming. Among the
great scoundrels of modern times this
consummate villain is worthy Of high
place.
1t seems he had made small fortune
in the African diamond fields and had
returned to England to add to it by less
creditable exertions
Under the name of Arthur Durant he
had taken shooting box in the country
for the purpose of robbery, and this
scheme was carried to successful issue
after his runaway marriage with Lady