CHAPTER IV.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XX, Issue 1415, 24 December 1887, Page 1 (Supplement)

CHAPTER IV.

Committed for trial for murder !

It had an ugly sound, and to most ears would bear an ugly interpretation. Committed for trial. Doomed to linger on in doubt and .in terror a month and a half. It was no wonder that as the weary, weary days went by, Anthony lost what little courage and hope Nellie's stronger nature had inspired him with. He became melancholy, and worse than that, morbid. Nellie at first visited him constantly, and endeavored by every means in her power to cheer him up and instil some of her courage into him. But, strange to say, about a fortnight after the inquest her visits suddenly closed. Day followed day, and still she put in no appearance, until timid, distracted Anthony, fearing that even she — even Nellie, his promised wife —had forsaken him, fell into a more melancholy state than ever. But he had misjudged her. His cruel doubts proved all too baseless. Nobly the girl showed the self-sacrificing spirit that animated her, for one bright day she returned to him with joy in her eyes and a smile on her lips. " Dearest Anthony ! " she exclaimed, with a flush of happy tears. "Brighter times have come. Your innocence has been proved at last." • " Nellie !" In his joy at seeing her bright face once again he almost forgot the misery of his position.

"Nellie; is it you!" "Yes; yes. All is proved. The terrible suspicion is removed from you at last. In a short time you will be free once again. Oh ;lam so happy— so happy, dearest Anthony." The sudden announcement was almost too much for him. He put hia hand to his head with a gesture of doubt. "I don't understand," he cried, feebly.

" Listen, Anthony. That unfortunate man who was found — who has been the cause of all this terrible mistake, was named Elliot, for you know letters were found in his pocket-book, but no notice was taken of them as they were unimportant. But one of them was signed "John," and thinking that must be the name of some relative who might know something about the unfortunate man, I made up my mind to go over to Tasmania, where the letter was dated from. I wanted to see if I could discover anything, you know." "Yes; yes." "Mamma was very much again* t my going, Anthony ; but something told mcl should find all I wanted there, and so I went. I discovered the writer of the letter, lie is a brother of the unfortunate man, and ho soli wed me a letter he had received from him. It makfs everything clear, Anthony ; for it proves that it was not a case of murder, but of suicide." "■ Suicide ! Thank God!"

" Yes ;" cried tho girl joj fully. "Read the letter. This is a copy of the one he showed me. It makes everything clear."

She tin ust into his hand an open note, and the young man cast his eye 3 almost bewilclerdly over it.

"Dear John," it ran, "This is to inform yon that two pounds being all I have left m the Avorld, aud being thoroughly broken 111 health Ih rough that accursed drink, I have made up my mind to end my miserable life. 1 have nubody to cnid or but myself, and I hope you will forg.ve me. I I have bo 11 11 disgrace to my family all my life, andlfeelthiit my dissolute course hastened the death of our poor mother. When you receive this I shall he a dead man, killed by my own hand. Pray for me, and forgive your despairing brother, William."

The letter foil from Anthony's h.ind, and Nellie was clasped to his neart. Tim light had come at last. The heavy load was lifted from off him.

The brave giii had brought John Elliot from Tasmania with her. He was in Melbourne, ready to attest to the authenticity of the letter — ready to do his part in clearing Anthony of all suspicion of guilt. He had not heard of the trial until Nellie had informed him of it. His brother had been a disgrace to him for years, and willing to forget him, he had not taken any steps to identify him when his letter had informed him of Ins selfsought end. Wrapped up in a mantle of selfish respectability, John Elliot had wished that his connection with the suicide should remain unknown.

But apprized by Nellie of the fact that an innocent man was a prisoner under suspicion of having murdered his brother, even his unconcern vanished, and he had come over with her to bear witness that the suspected man was guiltless. With the new light thrown upon the case, it was not long before Anthony's innocence was established in the sight of the world. Before a day had passed he was a free man and though the Jaw's delay laid certain restrictions upon him, liberty was restored to him before his innocence was finally established. But the terrible nature of the ordeal he had gone through left its mark upon the young man for days. Released from imprisonment, he succumbed to a dangerous illness that laid him prostrate for weeks. And once again Nellie's devotion and love came out with all the womanly force of her nature. She took up her post by his bedside, and tended him through his illness with unwearying care. He recovered mainly through her, and the devoted girl received her reward when she saw the first blush of health mounting his pale face. It was weeks before he wa3 fully strong again. Then when he had recovered sufficiently to resume' his duties, his mind became filled afresh with anxiety as to what course his employers would take in regard to him and his services. " I have been a long time away from work, Nellie," he said with a sigh ; "they will have got someone else in my place. I am afraid I have lost my position in the office, and am as far off gaining you as ever, my poor darling." "Don't despair, Anthony," sheanswered bravely. "It may not be so. They know of the great misfortune that has Overtaken you, and surely they will not turn you off because of i'«,"

" I am ?itaid they will, Nellie," he answered r,adly. "I can't expect otherwise."

"Dearefi-c Anthony," she said softly. ',' Shall I tell you a, secret ? You won't be

angry with me' wi}l you ? it I tell you I went to the oftice and saw the editor myself. It was terribly bold of me ; hut you were so ill you couldn't do it yourself. He received me so kindly, more like an old friend than a stranger. And I toll him everything — all about myself, and how much I loved you. I told him what along time we hud waited to get married, and that if you didn't get the place he had. promised you we should have to go on waiting for years. He was very, very lcitid, Anthony ; and he gave me a promise thafc you should have it directly you were strong enough to resume work. So now nil is bright again, and I am the happitst girl in Melboumo."

It was so. Before the end of the year Anthony had" assumed the position of subeditor he had so long coveted, and Ittfovo the end of the year, too, he and the girl who had done so much for him became man and wife.

It was a sunshiny day, a week before Christmas that saw the quiet wedding in Albert Park, and the festival itself came upon them in the first flush of their happiness. 16 was a happy Christmas for them both — a happy one indeed, that heralded a glad ancf happy New Year. "My darling," said Anthony softly, as they stood at the window o£ their little cottage, listening to the merry ringing o£ the church bells. "My darling wife; what should I have been without you? How can I repay all your love and devotion ? "

"It doesn't want repaying, Anthony," answered the young wife, tenderly. "If there has been any on my part it has its reward now. We have gone through a terrible experience, but it is all forgotten and past. Listen to the bells, they are ringing peace and good- will, and so let I's look forward and forget all that has passed. Conic, dear husband, there ought not to be a. shadow on your bi-ow when your uifa wishes you a merry, merry CiinVmasnnd a h ippy, happy New Year.