Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1904-09-02
CHAPTER XXX.

interim l found that my darling did not
fail to keep her word. A firm of solicit
ors, instructed by her, undertook my de-
tense; and though l at first, out of mo-
tives of pride, declined their good offices,
| was finally persuaded to accept them.
The day of the trial, on entering the
dock, l saw her sitting by George Red
ruth's side in the crowded court.
Early in the course of the proceedings,
| heard whispers among the crowd aur-
rounding me. They were looking at
Madeline, and someone was asking who
she might be. A voice replied that she
was 1.-THE prisoners sweetheart" Far
away as l knew that idea to be from the
simple truth, l looked at my darling with
new feelings of love and gratitude.
My aunt lex described my doings on
the night of my departure from st. Cur
lofts. Then my uncle entered the box.
Ghastly and woe-begone, he stood like
a man dazed; not once turning his eyes
IN my direction. His evidence only cor
roborated that of my aunt.
All that could be said was said in my
defense. My witnesses to character in
cluded John Rudd and other local wor-
thies; but all this testimony would have
been of little avail without that which
followed. To my intense surprise, Mad
cline herself entered the box as a witness
on my side; and though what she had to
say was practically irrelevant, though
it concerned chiefly my saving Of her life
from shipwreck, it worked wonders for
me. Never shall l forget the thrill of JOY
that went through me as she said, in
answer to a question:
mo one who knows the prisoner be-
lieves him capable of this or any crime.
He Is the bravest and truest man l have
ever met"
After a trial which lasted only the
greater part of one day, the Judge sum-
me- up-sternly enough, l thought-and
the jury retired to consider their verdict.
They returned into the box, and the
judge also reappeared in his place. The
foreman stood up, and replied, in answer
to the clerk of the courts question wheth-
er l was guilty or not guilty:
1--WE are agreed that there is not sufi-
cient evidence to convict the prisoner"
THAT is no verdict at ALL" cried the
judge sharply. You must decide one
way or another-guilty or not guilty"
For a moment the foreman seemed
dubious, and, STOPPING to his companions,
spoke to them in a whisper. Then he
said:
mot guilty, my lord"
l was acquitted, but the manner of the
acquittal was cruel enough, leaving it
clear that the moral presumption was
against me, though the evidence was in
adequate. 1 did not quite realize this at
the time, but l had bitter cause to re-
member 1t afterward.
A little later, l was standing, q free
man, in the parlor of a small inn, width
er | had been led by John Rudd, and
where l found my aunt and uncle await.
ing me. l cannot say that it was alto
gether a joyful meeting. The shadow of
death seemed still upon us. John Rudd
alone was jubilant.
1t had been arranged that my aunt and
uncle were to return in the wagon that
evening with John Rudd. 1 was in nc
hurry, however, to hasten back to st.
Gurlott's. My plans were to leave Eng.
land, perhaps working out my passage to
the colonies on some outward bound yes.
sci.
While we were sitting together, a wait.
ing girl beckoned me out; and following
her into another room, 1 found Madeline
waiting to speak to me. Directly ouI
eyes met, she held out both her hands
and l took them eagerly in mine. Then
for the first time, my emotion mastered
me; and, fairly sObbing, 1 almost sank
upon my knees before her.
II was right, you see," she said ten
derby. II knew they would never con.
denim you"
IL owe my life to you" 1 answered
In a voice choked with tears.
She smiled sweetly, and shook hel
head.
Even If 1t were so, it is only doing
as l have been done by; but no one evel
doubted your innocence from the first
Of course, you are returning to st. Cur
LOFTS? Suppose" she said, thoughtful
ly, suppose l could persuade my cousin
to reinstate you as overseer Of thu
mine."
"He would never do that" I replied
"and even were he willing, it would be
impossible. 1t is like you, it is like you
heavenly goodness to think of it; but il
ID Oul VI tue QueStlOu. L tnluk tueTe II
but one course for me to adopt, and tina
is-to leave England"
"You must not!" she cried, quickly
"For all our sakes! for mine!"
"For your sake?" l returned.
Promise me at least one thing. No
to depart from England without letting
me know-without seeing me again"
"Tn promise that freely"
After a few more words, she held on
her hand and said "Good-by." l walked
with her to the inn door.
MY cousin is waiting for me in tn,
market place." she said. "He is goinl
to drive me back to Redruth House."
An hour or so later, my uncle and my
aunt went away in the wagon, undel
the escort of John Rudd. l promised t.
follow them home in a day or two, anC
In the mean time to look about for som,
kind of employment. So l remained il