Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-04-12

recital of the incidents of the tragedy, calm digni-
fed and devoid of all passion had the ring OF truth
in it, All of the evidence, torn to shreds In the
court room thrown to the winds by Darralls
ayowal and people shuddered when they reallZeu
how little dependence can be placed upon clrcum-
stantial evidence alone. Only the challenge re-
mained-which was not denied-and upon this
challenge alone he was condemned to death
This was hardly in accord with the sentiment OF
that day. when the duel considered proper
mode of settlement of affairs Of honor OF which
the courts could take no cognizance
The challenge! This was the point around
which all discussion revolved. Darrall had stated
under oath in court that it was personal matter
that he mo midnight assassin; no 1901 OF
a political party"
Not one of the large concourse of people that
heard but believed him; and carrying their con
viction outside there was rapid change In puDhe
opinion. There was no reason why IN the neateu
political situation a personal encounter might not
have ensued as had many others, not so serious.
Even his foes agreed with his partsans, that since
all of the testimony upon which he had been con-
victed had been proven false, he should at least
have been granted a new trial.
But there was the challenge confessed. II 1t
grew out of politics, why so carefully guarded?
Why was the cause of quarrel not avowed!
Gradually the conviction found Judgement In
many. nay most minds, that there was some mat
ter of vital import behind the challenge
1t took many weeks for this idea, sitting through
many channels, to resolve itself into certainty.
Meanwhile, the campaign with its live issues
was on, fercey contested than ever before
for this was the last ditch in which they were all
prepared to die Darrall languishing in prison,
was missed from the hastings. He was talked
about, inquired for and his hasty condemnation
criticized all sides
In his forlorn condition for II was known that
his faithful wife sorely stricken, was lying nov
ering between life and death-unabe to minister
to him or cheer his loneliness in PRISON., he had
the sympathy of every loving and faithful heart
After a while few words uttered IN her de,
lirium, disjoined sentences crept about here and
there From the Cumberland Gap came the story
of the Englishman's daughter. To this was after
a while added the story of the two young men
who masqueraded in the little country settlement
as students of divinity.
1t was a large wilderness territory that these
bits of gossip travelled over, and 1T was summer
time the election coming on apace before they
drifted into Frankfort and passing from lip to lip,
stirred the little capital to its profoundest depths
Nothing was known but the mere surmise was
sufficient to warm the blood of every man who
heard it-and helped turn perhaps the tide to the
Old Court party, Darrall from his prison walls
speaking to the hearts of the people.
Spring comes late this year, but it is generous
with it's bloom. The apple trees all decked In
white, and the peaches in pink feathery blossoms
make pretty bit of color in the delicate greening
of April In the woods, the dogwood arrayed in
white and red buds in pink robes, like bride and
bridesmaid catch the eye even far away while
hawthorns make hedges of odorous bloom.
In the gardens beds of crocus and hyacinths
are first to raise their heads, and fill the air with
honeyed sweetness, while buttercups golden hued,
and tulips in gaudy gowns of red and yellow in
prim borders and the tender green grass besprent
with yellow discs Of gold, turning their races to
the sun, all give notice that spring is here IL
has come with delicious warmth at last and the
forests echo with the songs of birds happy in their
nesting With the spring. from the land OF stupor,
dark and clouded, Marguerite comes slowly back
to the darker realities of life; bat 1T is summer
before she can recall the past and question the
future
Finally it all comes back to her, and to her
insistent pleading consent is given that she may