Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1901-09-07

The sheriff unlocked the door and
entered the cell. The prisoner was
sitting on the edge 81 his cot. He
had not been asleep. Tie had been
pacing back and forth between the
window and the door and had taken
seat only when he heard the of
Gers footsteps In the corridor.
''Well2- he said.
-The jury has agreed replied the
sheriff. Come
The prisoner held out his rirht
urin- The officer snapped a handcua
ON his wrist Then they walked side
by side ont o. the dark cell and alone
the haif-iilumined hall. When the.
reached the outer door. the sheriff
pulicd a bunch 81 KEYS from his coat
pocket, inserted one in the lock and
turned back the bolt. Then thev
stepped out into the night. and the
othcer locked the door behind them.
The courthouse was across the
street from the Jail 4 new moon
threw an unnatural light upon the
earth and here and there a laup
1ickered in a window. The hands on
the illuminated dial OF the clock In
the courthouse tower pointed 20 Is
minutes TO midnight The prisoner
glanced upward az the star-spanelcd
sky. The air was soft and pleasant.
and q crowsy quiet hung everywhere.
What 3 beautiful night" said he
in q voice steady. strong and emo
sionless.
Yes" replied the sheriff. "a fine
night
Turning 20 their right they en-
tered the courtroom. Two lights on
= central chandelier sent feeble ravs
staggering through the darkness. The
attorneys. Newspaper reporters and
a bailih were seated inside the rail
ing
The prisoner. through force Of
habit. threw a glance towards the
back OF the room The woman in
black was in her accustomed seat.
and opposite 20 her was the man
With the bronzed face and the broad
shoulders. She did not return the
prisoners glance, bus kept her eyes
upon the man No one else .Fas liz
The room. and The voices Of the law
ysrs converting pleasantly echoed
strangely from the walls.
The prisoner took his seat beside
his counsel Presently the judge en-
tered through . rear door and took
his place upon the bench. lie glanced
az those IN front Of him and nodded
81 the bailiF, who withdrew.
After few moments the sound Of
-
and the Jury, with the baiiih at their
head, entered solemnly through a
ride door All eyes except those Of
fhe prisoner and the woman in black
were turned upon them.
The prisoner CARED calmly a. the
wall back Of the judge the woman
stared az she man with the DTonzed
face The jurymen took their seats
ia fhe bex and the judge said:
-Denfiemen- have you decided upon
3 YerdsctT~
I'VE have. your honor" replied the
foreman
glanced nervously az the woman in
black. Calmly. iBtentiy. she was
peersng into his face. the CLEAN in
her eyes seening 90 pierce the dark
ness Like the Hight from burning Goals.
Be shrsnk from her gaze; HIS hsnds
clufehed the back of the chair IN
front Of him 40 tightly that the nails
cut the wood. lie tried 70 fura hls
face away from her. bot could not.
Her eyes held him; their gIimmer ate
- way through him. and be grew
pale and trembieG.
what - your. verdict. gentlesnen7''
asked the jadge.
Agaia The broad-sbouldered man
vsfnly struggled 20 tear his gaze from
that % the womsn. An icy eoidness
s,npg rcEn6 his h<zrt SD scit per.
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