Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1902-02-08
A SHREWE
WOMAN

n
Nerriyale the court was crowded 4
- ;tx utmost capacity, while an inn
patient mass OF swsying humanity
awaited the verdict outside. IL was
a case of phenomenal interest. Two
Young fellows OF good family, com
panions since childhood. had set
themselves 20 earn fame and fortune.
ar the latter at least, in their ma
tive place: Albert Meyrick as an ari-
isf. Herbert Carlston as physician
Their love for each other was broth
erly; vet love proved the gulf which
.epa,ated them. Both had been fas-
cinatrd with the charms of q sunny
haired. brighteyed. laughing beauty.
Her admirers were legion; but her
snxorS were equally bestowed between
these two.
One morning people were horrified
With the report OF murder. Meyrick
had been shot in his studio A revolt
yer was found on the table few
inches from the dead body. The bull
let. which, after passing through MS
head. had lodged in the wall opposite,
exactly fitting the chamber, and was
nreeiselv similar 20 the others which
the revolver contained. Both reVoi-
have been bought by Carlston within
"a hours previous TO the crime. ne
was known 10 have been at the house
az about the time OF the crime All
these things ne fully admitted. Only
one fact he denied: but this was the
evidence that chiefly condemned him.
Edna Dalton, the girl through 1eai-
ousv OF whom he wa supposed 70
a.. rfa~
seeing him close TO the house. In
deed. she had spoken TO him. but ne
strangely passed her. refusing 20
speak. The general evidence against
him was so overwhelming that there
could be no doubt of the issue. The
prisoner had condemned himself by
his own admissions; yet he emphat-
icalv asserted his innocence.
The eventful day OF the trial came.
F. Counsel had labored for an0 against
r him. The judge had summed up the
iurv retired 10 consider. The breath
D less hush OF suspense was oppressive
}, Presently a door opened. Twelve men
solemniy took their seats.
;. Guilty or not guilty.
j. GUILTY."
D A piercing shrek. awful from So
burden OF agony. rang through the
i court. Edna's unconscious form wa
y borne out. For the first time thu
J. prisoner quaIled. Throughout tn
& trial he had behaved with almost In
z different coolness- Her voice I'm
" manned him. He buried his face II
his hands. groaning aloud and trem
bling violently. With an effort he r.
s. gained his manly bearing.
ir Asked IL he bad any reason TO stat
er why sentence should not be PaEseC
he drew himself up, and in firm
mr. clear voice, said:
le To-day my words are An emPt
ep sound; one day they will have gres
a power. though they will come bac
from the cold depths OF the grave.
nv am innocent No man will believe M
he ! speak for the future. because l b
n. lieve an avenging justice will sure
81 bring truth 10 light. Then wish 70
IN to remember my words"
=, The sentence of death was passe
re ! the voice Of the judge being scarce
audible amidst the sobs OF some
ms / the women present.
ok One person alone seemed unaffe'
vas ed. With the quiet demeanor OF
hero. Herbert folded his arms TO
he'd | ceive his doom without n CULVER.
red To the last momentous word
an MAY the Lord have mercy on 20
rht soul" he responded with a firm /
asst reverent "Ameni"
u
all Mr.. Dickinson. Herbert's lawy
,uu. was disturbed in his Office by you
lady. whom he failed at first 20 r
- oonize as Edna Dalton.
. 10 What a marvellous change! Her h
was gard face. large eys. looking lar
two from their snnken sockets. the ne'
ard determined expression of her IA
,uth made the experienced lawyer bet
div his surprise in spite OF himself.
Sec this the airy. smiling creature o
he few weeks agO7 She had aged yei
the He placed seat for her. and inqui
the the object OF herv Z.
row ITO free Herber> CarlstonI He Is
d be nocent, and hav discovered the
pritl"
cteS The lawyer looked At her. but
cath not speak.
iinsi Perhaps. you think me msd2 v
lard. I have not been far from IL. w
! me YOU men have pitied him and '
and dered, la weak woman. have work
;. for "Have you any evidence Of ,
SIS. statement?"
wing "Ampie. The murderer has q
ba.e- two inches longer than Herbert.
4 the . wore a pair of old overshoes wi
sick ! cut across the left sole. Her
N IA never possessed such things. On