Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1912-01-11

- SAAo sNcoNs avn AA AISA1 VI Lille
testimony could be shaken. Most of
it was true. some Of it false. but what
was false so ~unassailable by any or
binary means that. as I have already
said. the clouds seemed settling heav-
lily over Arthur Cumberland when. at
the end of the sixth day. the proceed
ings closed.
I "a early in my seat. My first
glance around the courtroom was un-
productive. l saw only the usual
public. such as had confronted US
the whole week. with curious and
increasing interest. But as I search
ed further l discerned in an in
conspicuous corner the bowed head.
yelled almost beyond recognition. of
Ella Fulton. 1t was her first appear
nee in court. With her were her
father and her cold and dominating
mother, and behofding her thus accom-
panied I .fancied l understood al agi-
tation manifested by Mr.. Moffat. But
another glance at Mrs. Fulton assured
me that I was mistaken in this hasty
surmise. No such serious purpose as I
feared lay back Of their presence here
today. Curiosity alone explained it,
and as I realized what this meant and
how little understanding it betokened
Of the fierce struggle then going on in
the timid breast Of their distracted
child a sickening sense of my WI re-
sponsibility drove Carmels beauty
and Carmels claims temporarily from
my mind. and. following the direction
Of Elias thoughts, if not her glances.
I sought in the face of the prisoner a
recognition of her presence, if not of
the promise this presence brought him.
His eye had just fallen on her. l
was assured of this by the sudden
softening of his expression-the first
real softening l had aver seen in it. 1t
was but a momentary fash. but it was
unmistakable in it's character. as was
his speedy return to his former stolid-
ity.
The opening testimony Of the day,
while not vital, was favorable to the
prosecution in that it showed Arthur's
conduct since the murder to have been
inconsistent with perfect innocence.
Many facts were brought forward in
grim array against the prisoner, with
but little opposition from his counsel
and small betrayal of feeling on the
part of Arthur himself. His stolid face
had remained stolid even when the
ring which had fallen out of his SIS
ter's casket was shown to the jury and
the connection made between its pres
ence there and the intrusion of his
hand into the same.
Then came the great event Of the
day. in anticipation Of which the court
room had been packed and every heart
within it awakened by slow degrees
to a state Of great nervous expectancy.
The prosecution rested. and the junior
counsel for the defense opened his
case to the jury.
If l had hoped for any startling dis.
clients alleged alibi or otherwise to
free the same from the definite charge
of murder, l had reason to be greatly
disappointed by this maiden effort of
a young and inexperienced lawyer. II
not exactly weak there was an unex-
pected vagueness in it's statements
which seemed quite out Of keeping
with the emphatic declaration which
he made Of the prisoners innocence.
Even Arthur was sensible of the bad
effect made by this preliminary ad-
dress. More than once during its de-
livery. and notably at it's conclusion,
be turned to Mr.. Moffat with a bitter
remark. which was not without effect
on that gentleman's cheek and at once
called forth a retort singing enough
to cause Arthur to sink back into his
place with the first sign of restlessness
I had observed in him.
"Moffat is sly. Mofat has something
up his sleeve. l will wait till he sees
fit to show It." was my thought. Then.
as l caught a wild and pleading look
from Ella. | added in positive asser-
ton to myself. And so must she"
Answering her %unspoken appeal with
an admonitory shake of the head. |
carelessly let my fingers rest upon my
mouth until ! saw that she understood
! me and was prepared to follow my