The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1905-08-17

9 9 Inc "a''S VI 'he iooN' -
4 L which he was pacing rest
RoN lessly seemed to close in
upon him, and the day to grow blacker
and biacker as the silence grew and
the minutes passed on.
At last he sank helplessly on lounge
in a corner. She came in ihen-the
only woman in the world for him. but
he did not notice her until she touched
his arm.
Jack her voice shook queerly. ais
she worse:"
''Deadr' 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 a warrant out for
Your arrest, and the police are coming
here to arrest you-to-night."
Then followed silence broken only
by the quick beating of hearts.
Dead, jack The girl spoke like
one who had been struck severe
blow. "Oh. Jack-Jack"' She broke
OF suddenly and fell back in a 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 love-
"Jack. you believe"
"My heGrt-my own heart. against all
the juries and judges in the world. You
could not have killed my sister-you,
who loved her so. Dora-my darlingw
her everything then.
DR.. MacManus. the ply ician in at
Tendance in Mrs. Edith Marston, Jacks
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
zfsred to attend to the wants Of the sick
woman during the temporary absence
of the professional nurse. about eX-
ceedirg the dose, and warned her that
n larger dose might prove fatal. He
had been summoned hastily in the
afternoon following Miss Saubers de-
parture from the bedside, and had
found his patient in commissions. the
effect of 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 to inform the po-
lice of the fact and how his patient
met her death. Jack and Dora were to
be married within fortnight; but
the death Of Jacks sister lad 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.
"The 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 not.'
His tone changed. Il 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 chair
was put into the witness box and a 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 l trust her evi-
dence will be admitted"
The judge nodded assent. then coun-
sci turnc to the little girl ard spoke
to her very softly.
II knt you" he said, ''to tell us
what .y\u told uncle and me the other
day about nursing mamma when the
lady you see there" he pointed to the
prisoner, "wes asleep
The silence that followed was broken
only by sobs from the auditors in the
room where women were weeping like
chidden children. Then little shril
voice broke out:
"She-she was sleepy n the chair
when nanny asked for her medicine
"What did nanny say?"
!, ~She said-she said, Dear, give me