Mexico weekly ledger., 1910-03-10

rail and briefly reviewed the
4 4 evidence.
Then, with great emotion in his
voice, he went on:
"And what part, gentlemen. did the
wife have In all this-his wife. who
pst through the weary hours OF the
night waiting for the thing she loved.
while her husband not only iavished
his affections. but her money, on 9th
ers-his gay companlonsf7
Challoner grew hot and cold by
turns.
Gentlemen, behold the result Of
riotous living the prosecutor declar-
ed, pointing his finger at the prisoner,
"the pace that kills!
Gentlemen, on behalf OF the people,
In the name Of Justice, | ask you to
convict this man."
For an instant he stood eylng the
twelve jurors. Then, raising his right
hand solemnly, he brought 1t down
with full sudden force upon the rail-
ing between himself and them.
"And let me ~a-a yo1. selsielaeif
Of the jury" he continued ominousIy.
shat the honor. the integrity, Of this
metropolis hangs in the balance. If
you ncquit this defendant and set him
free the people Of this state, the peo-
pie Of the country, will say hence
forth that all that a murderer need
have to secure an acquittal-his free
dom-is money, money, money!
As the prosecutor seated himself
there was a gasp Of relief from the
people in the courtroom. Broderick
yentured inside Of the rallied space set
aside for counsel and shook hands
with Thorne.
Counselor" he said, lyon certainly
handled that trial like a veteran. You
saw your duty and you did It."
Thorne nodded his thanks and an
swered:
Il held Murgatroyd down to the wo-
man in the case, all right. He had to
stick to that one motive. This verdict
will let everybody OUT
but Challoner." added Broderick.
Everybody but Chalioner," agreed
Thorne, "and the incident viii be
closed"
Broderick glanced in the direction
Of Miriam Challoner and presently
commented in a low voice:
There's a plucky little woman,
Thorne. Nothin' can feaze her. I've
been watchin' her. and she's just as
sure Of that jury as | am Of my own
assembly district after 1t has gone
through my trousers pockets the night
before election"
It was nearly 2 O'Clock. The Jury
wero still locked up in the jury room.
Only Thorne, Miriam and Shirley re-
maiued.
Wasn't that a terrible arraignment
Of Prosecutor Murgatroydw exclaimed
Shirley. when he faced Laurie and
told him what no thought Of hlm-it
was simply awful" And the girl COW
cred her face with her hands as II to
shut out the sight Of it all.
Thorne was about to speak when a
uniformed attendant suddenly entered
at n door and swung across the
courtroom. He called to Thorne.
'Tbe jury have agreedp'
Another court officer strobe toward
the judges private chambers ard like
wise announced In passing:
'The jury's coming inn
Shirley blanehed, and her lips whit
ened. Thorne noted that Miriam's
eyes only grew brighter.
ut will all be over in a minute
now" Miriam exclaimed joyfully. "and
he'll be free, free!"
The crowd filed back into the court
room, Murgatroyd came in from his
private Office, the court took its seat
upon the bench. and as Broderick
waddled in the barred door in the far
corner opened, and Challoner, as
though in a daze, walked down the
aisle. an officer In front and one be-
hind him.
A minute that seemed minutes elaps-
ed, and then the jury filed ina jury
whose faces. whose demeanor told
nothing, gave no sign.
Gentlemen of the jury said the
clerk rapidly, have you agreed upon
your verdict?"
I'VE have" came in chorus.
"Whom do you say shall answer for
your"
The eleven men pointed toward their
foreman.
"Gentlemen of the Jury said the
clerk, how do you say you fnd-guilty
or not guilty.?
The foreman gripped the rail before
him with his hand.
Guilty" he replied.
"yNhat?" came from Miriam Challo-
ner shrilly, and the next moment all
the color had left her face. She was
pale as death.
Guilty, your honor" repeated the
foreman in a louder tone-"guilty OF
murder in the first degree"
Gentlemen of the jury. your verdict
is guilty OF murder in the first degree
and so say all Of youT' reeled or the
clerk.
They nodded.
Meanwhile Challoner sat sullen, des-
perate, his chin resting OIL his hand,
glarlng into space. All Of a sudden
there was n stir among those in the
front seats. and the judge, looking up,
was SURPRISED to see that 1t was caus-