Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1901-03-28

quent discovery and attempt at escape.
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. rs 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 10 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 nc
sign.
When Tyrrell. the second witness.
took the stand he relapsed into stony
calm-he calm one might characterize
as born of whitening a contempt that
such q tool might wreak him further
harm.
The mans testimony was clear and
forcible, though he shufiei uneasily
beneath the cross-questioning and kept
his Eyes continually fixed upon the
ground. ave when he lifted them, as IL
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.
Il car only solemnly ~asseyerate and
declare my innocence Of the charge. I
returned, IL is true, to Mr.. Markham's
house and entered his library. He had
been my best and warmast friend until
a viper had crawled between u and
planted the sting of suspicion in his
breast We had parted in nger I
was about TO make a long journey. to
be absent an indefinite time. and 1 had
gone back to ask Mr.. Markham TO give
me his hand'-here the prisoners voice
broke, and he resumed with difficulty
"and bid me godspeed- AS I neared
the house, I saw a man stealing along
by some bushes. 1t was Tyrrell, the
groom. The library windows were wide
open. n 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. il seems. but a few min
utes. He was surprised and, I fancied.
glad to see me. His sudden anger had
died against me. He listened 20 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.
LAS God is my judge. no. i replied:
and then in a few rapid words, / told
him what / had seen.
1T is that scamp, Tyrrell!' he ex-
claimed. I discharged him to-day
from my service!'
And then he fell back. white and
gasping. in his chair.
81 forgot all hen but his need OF
succor. i feared TO alarm his daughter
by a~rousing the household, and SO hast
ened TO bring a physician 10 him, be-
lieving it TO be the quickest way. n
intending, meantime. TO ser him some
assistance from the lodge. Ere / could
reach IL / was arrested as a thi4f-ar-
rested at the instance of the mtn who
to-day has perjured himself before God
and man. But before heaven and
earth, / swear that I am innocent Of
this crime!"
The faces of the jurymen wore abso-
lutely a 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 a new sensation was
apparent. Winding their way through
the dense throng vas an elderly man,
and leaning on his arm vas a 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 he Judge.
Guilty. o u honor!" was the firm
reply.
A low cry broke upon he answering
silence.
God in heaven, I have come too
late!" she murmured.
With a quick gesture the newcomer
threw back her veil. The prisoner
turned his head and saw her. A quick
wave OF crimson flushed his face; but
It was the flush of pride. not OF shame.
She pressed close to him.
ST will save you yet, darling" h
whispered. "Put your faith ia me. as
mine is anchored In you!'
Then he was remanded back for SEN
tence to his cell.
Truly. Beatrice had come too late!
CHATTER VII
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