Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1901-04-04

The groom, Tyrrell, with his cOrrob-
orative testimony. was to follow him.
The spectators forgot the favorable
impression the prisoner had made upon
them as they listened to this damaging
evidence of his guilt. That seeming
frankness of expression then. was the
mask he wore to hide his duplicity.
Now and then, as the testimony pro-
ceeded. they could readily fancy his
adding murder to his crime, since, so
clearly and succinctly Mr.. Chester ex-
planned how he himself had been a wit
ness to the act, the brown eyes blazed
into passionate fire, and the long.
tawny mustache failed to conceal the
white, even teeth as they met upon his
under lip. Beyond this he gave no
sign.
When Tyrrell, the second witness,
took the stand he relapsed into stony
calnl-he calm one might characterize
as born of whitening a contempt that
such tool might wreak him further
harm.
The mans testimony was clear and
forcible, though he shuffled uneasily
beneath the cross-questioning and kept
his eyes continually fixed upon the
for encouragement, to Randolph Ches-
ter's face.
The prisoner then was permitted a
few words in his own defense. They
! fell. weak and meaningless, as opposed
to the burden of proof against him.
II am in the hands of perjurers and
| false Witnesses he said, in conclusion.
IT can only solemnly asseverate and
declare my innocence of the charge. I
| returned, it is true, to Mr.. Markham's
house and entered his library. He had
been my best and warmest friend until
viper had crawled between us and
planted the sting of suspicion in his
breast. We had parted in anger. I
was about to make a long journey, to
be absent an indefinite time, and had
gone back to ask Mr.. Markham to give
me his hand'-here the prisoners voice
broke, and he resumed with difficulty
land bid me godspeed. AS I neared
| the house, I saw man stealing along
| by some bushes. 1t was Tyrrell, the
groom. The library windows We're wide
open, and the room itself deserted. I
wondered what he had been about, for
his actions denoted guilt. I soon was
| enlightened. I entered the library
| through one of the windows as Mr..
Markham entered the door. He had
been absent, it seems, but a few mill>
utes. He was surprised and, I fancied,
| glad to see me. His sudden anger had
died against me. He listened to my
story and extended his hand to me.
Thank God, he grasped mine in friend
ship once more before he died! At
that moment his eye fell upon the safe,
and his face grew very pale.
"I have been robbed!' he cried. My
God, Talbot, this is not your work.
"'As God is my judge, no!' replied;
and then in few rapid words, told
| him what I had seen.
"'It is that scamp, Tyrrell!' he ex-
claimed. L discharged him to-day
from my service!'
gasping, in his chair.
| 81 forgot all then but his need of
| succor. I feared to alarm his daughter
by arousing the household. and so hast
ened to bring a physician to him, be-
| lieving it to be the quickest way. and
intending, meantime, to send him some
assistance from the lodge. Ere could
reach it was arrested as thief-ar
rested at the instance of the man who
to-day has perjured himself before God
and man. But before heaven and
earth, I swear that I am innocent of
this crime!"
The faces of the jurymen Wore abso-
lutely smile of incredulity as he fin
ished speaking. Was ever defense so
weak against proof so strong?
The Judge occupied but a few min
utes in his charge. The trial had occu-
pied but one day. Scarcely half an
hour were the jury absent from their
places when they sent in word of their
agreement and were brought back into
the court room.
AT that moment new sensation was
apparent. Winding their way through
the dense throng Nas an elderly man,
and leaning on his arm was young
girl, dressed in deep mourning, her
features wholly concealed from view
by the long veil of black crepe.
Involuntarily the crowd made way
for them as the foreman of the jury
stood up in his place to deliver the YER
dict of himself and his eleven COM
rades.
do you find the prisoner guilty or
not guilty?" asked the judge.
Guilty, your honor was the firm
reply.
A low cry broke upon the answering
silence.
God in heaven, I have come too
late!" she murmured.
With quick gesture the newcomer
threw back her veil. The prisoner
tu1 ned his head and saw her. quick
wave of crimson flushed his face; but
it was the flush of pride, not of shame
She pressed close to him.
IT will save you yet. darling!" she
whispered. "Put your faith in me, as
mine is anchored in you!"
Then he was remanded back for SEN
tence to his cell.
Truly Beatrice had come too late!
CHAPTER VII
Back to Grey Oaks! It's luxury, its
splendor, all were painful, for they
brought to her more forcibly the con-
trast Of 2 hare cell in the TOmbS where