The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1908-11-25
THE ACCUSING CONSCIENCE
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MontrCsson's limbs trembled be-
meath him as he stood up to receive
the verdict of the jury. For three
weeks the trial had waged about him
now an accusing witness dramati-
.cally reciting damning facts which
brought the murder directly to the
accused mans door; again one who
recited what little there was to be
told in the prisoners favor. The
voice of the attorney for the defense,
striving to make the worst appear
the better reason, had risen in con-
f1ict with the cold. cutting accusa-
tions of the district attorney. Wis
ions of life and freedom were dis
placed by nightmares of the room
with the little door-the gaunt chair
the twelve solemn-faced, profess
sional witnesses, the sharp click of
the key, the end!
Even the presence of his wife at
his side had not served to tighten the
load that he carried. He had felt at
times as If he should be compelled to
cry out, so ordinary and humdrum
did it seem to everyone else-so vital
to him. The pain of it all was acute,
and the more so because of his feel
ing of utter oneliness-because of
the fact that among all of them there,
he alone, Basil Montresson, knew
whether he had taken human life
wontonly; he alone could say
whether the tortures that he had en-
dured through those three tumultu-
GUS weeks came from consciousness
of outraged innocence, or of remorse
over the act and gnawing fear of the
consequences.
Jurors, look upon the prisoner
prisoner, look upon the jurors. How
say you, gentlemen of the jury, do
you find the prisoner guilty or not
guilty?"
''Not guilty
The words seemed to come from
afar off. At first he wasn't sure that
he had heard right. A low murmur
of voices in the court room attracted
his attention, and he glanced about
In confusion. Then he felt tugging
seat, and womans arms encircled
him. A woman's head fell upon the
shoulder.
"Rasil, Basil!" she cried, don't
you hear? Don't you understand?
You are free, free! Oh, thank God
that it is so. Thank God! Thank
God!"
Her cries awoke him from his STU
por. He bent forward mechanically
and kissed her. A pang went through
him when their lips met. He vaguely
felt that he had done something '1at
he should not have done. His attG
ney took his hand and pressed it,
saying:
Congratulations, Montresson. 1t
was hard fight, but never had any
doubt as to the result. Come along,
now. There is nothing more to hold
you here. Come out in the fresh air.
Brace up, man; brace up!"
He looked curiously at this advo-
cate-the man who had wrought the
wonderful thing, and mumbled few
words of thanks. But there was no
warmth in the hand-clasp with which
he returned the salutation of the law
yer.
The next thing that he remembered
was being in the carriage beside his
ternately smiling and weeping, and
murmuring her thanks for his de-
iverance.
"The children will be waiting for
u.s." she crooned "They will be
glad. Think, Basil, if-if it had
been-otherwise.
She shuddereS and shrank back
into the corner of the seat.
But it couldn't have BEEN" she
hastened to say. "Oh, was conf
dent from the very beginning. /
knew it was all mistake. knew
that they would see it as l did How
could they believe that you, my
Basil. could-Oh. it is all too hor-
rible."
Yes" he said, suddenly, in hol-
low voice, ''it is all horrible. God, if
I could only get the thing out of my
mind"
- '"But you are free now" she said,
"exonerated, and the world knows
that you are innocent"
He looked down at her with great,
blood-shot eyes-peering, question
= Ing eyes, eyes that seemed to read
her through and through, wondering
eyes, eyes filled with apprehension,
fear, shame, remorse-for what?
please. please, Basil, don't look
at me like that. You frighten me.
Tell me what it is"
'What is it?" he repeated. Then
he shrugged his shoulders. and his
lips parted in a ghastly smile.
'Nohting-nothing," he said hur-
riedly.
She nestled closely to his side once
more, and her JOY reached the ST.
preme height in thai, and in silence.