CHAPTER III.

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

CHAPTER 111.

How the remainder of that terrible day passed, Anthony knew not. The sensibility — call it even pusillanimity— of hia nature triumphed over every other feeling. He had not the strength of mind or courage to face his position. Not only was the thought ever present in his mind that in the eyes of the world he would in all probability be thought guilty, but he suffered the most overwhelming distraction in the knowledge that — by the very force of his present position— his future would be blighted, and Nellie lost to him, perhaps for ever. He had missed the train in the first instance, he had forfeited the confidence of him whose good-will alone could raise him to a position that would justifyj ustify his asking Nellie to be his wife.

Everything was lost — nothing more remained to him but despair and anguish. The inquest was held the following day, and poor Anthony was brought before the coroner in the terrible character of a murderer. His powers of mind and even speech seemed totally to leave him before

the horror of his position. Mechanically he listened to the evidence ; unmeaningly fell question and answer on his ear. The landlord was the chief witness. He deposed to Anthony having come to the ''Angel" hotel in a state of excitement bhe night previous to the discovery of the body, to his having asked for a bed, and to his having been put in' the same room with deceased. He deposed further to the man having been alive, to the best of his belief, when he showed Anthony to the room. He swore to seeing blood on Anthony's hands and forehead and on his clothes. He swore to the accused having left the hotel surreptitiously before any of the inmates were about, and to Anthony having fled when he heard footsteps in pursuit. The landlord's evidence was damaging and conclusive, as far as it went. The policeman, next summoned, deposed to his having been called in shortly after five the previous morning, that he found the body of a man with his throat cut lying in bed on the second story, and that the landlord had charged the accused with murder. That in the execution of his duty he had made an examination of the place. He swore that on the bed he had found a razor with the name of the maker "Hocking" engraved on the blade, and that in the bag of the accused he had found a case containing two razors of a similar make, with an empty apace for a third. He swore to having searched Anthony, and to having found in his possession a watch and chain, the former of which had engraved in it the name " J. Heaton," and that the same name was found written in the pocket-book discovered in the coat-pocket of the deceased. The landlord, recalled, swore to the

watch having been in the possession of the dead man.

Other witnesses called deposed to the flight of the terror-stricken prisoner and to his strange conduct after arrest.

So damning was the evidence — so appalling — that the distracted Anthony had not the courage to protest his innocence — to swear that if the razor that had done the dreadful deed was similar to his own, it was nothing but a terrible coincidence — that the one missing from his case was at that moment at the cutler's being reset. That if he had taken the dead man's watch and chain in lieu of his own, it was explainable by the over-powering horror the

discovery of the murdered body had aroused in him,

No ; he was completely prostrated by unreasoning fear ; he could urge nothing in hia own defence. The worst part of his nature had gained the mastery ; nothing but fear and terror had power to move him. Even when the coroner returned his verdict, poor Anthony had nothing to say.

" Anthony Langford. You stand committed to take your trial at' the next Criminal Sittings of the Supreme Court to be held in Melbourne in November next."

That same day poor Anthony had to undergo a further trial, when Nellie, iaccompanied by her mother, paid him a visit at the Melbourne Gaol, where he had been removed.

With a cry of love and anguish, the young girl threw herself on his breast. "Oh; Anthony! Anthony!" she sobbed. " Whatever does this mean 1" "I don't know, Nellie," he said brokenly. "It has come so suddenly upon me, lam almost mad. Tell me ; you do not think it's true." "Anthony!" she exclaimed. "You— you — commit murder." " I knew it. You will believe me innocent however things go against me. You must." " I believe you innocent !" exclaimed the girl, the bright tears of devoted love in her eyes. "If I saw you with the razor in your hand, Anthony — if all the world declared you guilty, I should still deny it to my uttermost breath. Surely you could never have doubted that."

The young man put his hand to his head with a gesture of despair. •• I don't know what to think. I shall go mad under this blow. I started out with such anticipations for the future. I was so happy, and now — and now " He broke down completely. He was so susceptible by nature that his tears would not be restrained, and on the tender bosom of his promised wife his grief found hysteric vent. " Anthony ! Anthony ! " said Mrs. Cottrel; " don't give way like that. That's foolish and unmanly. Put a good face on the matter. You didn't commit this dreadful crime, and the truth must come out in the end."

" Dearest, dearest Anthony," whispered Nellie in his ear. ' ' Be brave for my sake. Don't you think I feel it as much as you ? But see, I can be brave, knowing that you

are innocent. It 13 only a temporary misfortune. Everything will come right, trust me."

"But I am committed for trial," sobbed the young man. " All my hopes are destroyed. I shall be ruined, dishonored. I shall lose my place, and we will be separated for ever. Oh ! Nellie 1 Nellie ! it's terrible. "

" We shall not be separated," answered the brave girl. "Do you think a false accusation such as this can come between U3 ? Never, Anthony. I swear to remain true to you to the last. Nothing will ever make me love you less. Be satisfied to know that, and don't give way because things look black just at present."

What consoler so tender as a loving woman ? What sympathy so precious as that which comes from a true devoted heart 1 In his hour of need Anthony felt he could rely 911 the girl he loved, and the knowledge of it brought unspeakable hope and comfort to his tortured mind.

The lovers conversed long and earnestly, until the time for departure was at hand. It was arranged between them that Nellie and her mother should get the aid of a lawyer for the defence, and the girl furthermore declared her intention of going to the office of Anthony's employers and informing them of the whole circumstances of the case. Then they took leave of one another — a lingering lovers' leave-taking, that brought its own meed of anguish in the thought that it might be long before they could meet again.

" Good-bye, dearest Anthony," said Nellie tenderly. "Be of good cheer. Everything will come right in the end. Only face the difficulty bravely, and you will come out of it without a stain upon your character. There are many happy days in store for us yet ? be sure of that," "If I had your brave spirit, Nellie, I could bear up," he answered, brokenly. "But l have not. God knows I am as innocent as you are, but it has come upon me so suddenly I am completely overcome."

" But that is wrong," she returned in gentle reproof. " You owe it to yourself — to me—to everybody connected with you — -to vindicate yourself. Do yourself justice, and justice will be done to you. My last words to you are, bear up and make up your mind to face this misfortune like a man. Now good-bye, my darling, for our time is

" Good-bye, Anthony," said Mr 3. Cottrell, "and do as Nellie says. There is no good in giving way. You must exert all your courage and strength." A long passionate kiss between the lovers, a last tearful farewell, and as the heavy door closed behind Nellie and her mother, poor Anthony buried his face in his hands in a passion of despairing grief.