Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1905-07-29

8 ~ q The walls of the room in
4 i i which he was pacing rest
SEOR lessly seemed to close in
upon him, and the day to grow blacker
and blacker as the silence grew and
the minutes passed on.
AT last he sank helpleSsly on lounge
i'll corner. She came in then--the
only woman in the world for him, but
he did not notice her until she touched
his arm.
Jack" her voice shook queerly. lis
she wOrse?"
"Dead!' he stammered, as his eyes
wandered nervously from the girl to
the ground. Edith is dead, and-oh,
heavens!-yOu are accused of murder
ing her. There is warrant out for
your arrest, and the police are coming
here to arrest you-to-night."
Then followed a silence broken only
by the quick beating of hearts.
Dead. Jack" The girl spoke like
one who mad been struck severe
blow. ooh, Jack-Jackw She broke
off suddenly and fell back in chair.
Jack stared at her wildly as he saw
the ashy pallOr of her face, but when
he spoke again there was sympathy
and sweetness in his voice
"Dora-my lover
"Jack, you believe"
"My heart-my own heart, against all
the juries and judges in the world. You
could not have killed. ag,-Aist~.s-y~-.,
who loved her so. Dora-my darling!'
He gathered her in his arms and told
her everything then.
DR.. MacManus, the physician in at
fondhnon in Mrs Edith Marstnn. lack a
sister who had been stricken down
with fever, had left his patient pow
erful medicine to be given in twelve
drop doses every two hours, and had
cautioned Dora Sauber, who had Of
fered to attend to the wants of the sick
woman during the temporary absence
of the professional nurse. about ex-
ceeding the dose, and warned her that
larger dose might prove fatal. He
had been summoned hastily in the
afternoon following Miss Sauber's de-
parture from the bedside, and had
found his patient in commissions, the
effect of a very strong dose of the
medicine. His skill was of no avail
and she died in his arms. Dora alone
had attended the poor woman during
the morning, and administered her
medicines and food and the doctor felt
that it was his duty 10 inform the po-
lice of the fact and how his patient
met her death. Jack and Dora were to
he married within fortnight; but
the death of Jacks sister had blOtted
out everything now.
+
The days passed heavily. then came
the one when Dora was to be tried for
her life. The court was packed. In
the morning the prosecuting attorney
had given in all his testimony, and,
after luncheon, counsel rose for the
defense. He looked from the judge to
the jury and smiled family. Very
briefly he made his speech
'"rhe prisoner is innocent" he said.
"She is engaged to the deceased lady's
brother, Mr.. Jack Marston. and she
learned to love his sister as If she
were her own. She could not have
committed the crime that has been
brought against her! She could notw
His tone changed. II have only one
witness. and l fear she is too young
to understand the nature of an oath"
The prisoner grew deathly white.
The tears came and gave her some re-
lief. but she shuddered When n chair
was put into the witness box and tiny
girl with wavy golden hair and big
blue eyes, red now with crying, was
lifted gently upon IT,
"Your honor" said counsel, "the wit
ness is very young. but trust her evl.
dence will be admitted"
The judge nodded assent, then coun-
sci turned to the little girl and spoke
TO her very softly.
Il want yOu,' he said, ito tell us
what you told uncle and me the other
day about nursing mamma when the
lady you see there" he pointed to the
prisoner was asleep"
The silence that followed was broken
'AAiJ ~ SUNS Alpul lHG dutlllOEk III Inc
room where women were weeping like
chidden children. Then n little shrlll
voice broke out:
"She-she was sleepy in the chair
when nanny asked for her medicine"
What did nanny say?"
"She said-she said. Dear, give me
my medicine. ought TO have had II
long ago but Dora was sleepy--so
sleepy and-and couldn't give It to
her"
And what did you do little one?'
ComseIs voice trembled.
II got the bottle, and poured out
the stun i'm glass"
She hesltated, looking frightened. A
kindly court attendant patted the fair
curls, and she continued:
And Dora was so sleepy and was
SO glad cause could play doctor. 1t
was such fun. climbed OH the bed
and said so fierceiy. Open your mouth
ana nanny opened her mouth and
Il 1saw~ IuG,. Il IA ~