ience,
reason, heart, force me into it; and because I am the implacable
prosecutor of Gen'l Darrington's murderer, _I_ COME TO PLEAD IN DEFENSE
OF THE PRISONER, whom I hold guiltless of the crime, innocent of the
charge in the indictment. In the supreme hour of her isolation, she has
invoked only one witness; and may that witness, the God above us, the
God of justice, the God of innocence, grant me the inspiration, and
nerve my arm to snatch her from peril, and triumphantly vindicate the
purity of her noble heart and life."

Remembering the important evidence which he had furnished to the
prosecution, only a few hours previous, when on the witness stand,
people looked at one another questioningly; doubting the testimony of
their own senses; and VOX POPULI was not inaptly expressed by the
whispered ejaculation of Bedney to Dyce.

"Judgment day must be breaking! Mars Lennox is done turned a double
summersett, and lit plum over on t'other side! It's about ekal to a
spavinned, ring-boned, hamstrung, hobbled horse clearin' a ten-rail
fence! He jumps so beautiful, I am afeered he won't stay whar he lit!"

Comprehending all that this public recantation had cost a proud man,
jealous of his reputation for professional tact and skill, as well as
for individual acumen, Beryl began to realize the depth and fervor of
the love that prompted it; and the merciless ordeal to which he would
subject her. Inflicting upon himself the smarting sting of the keenest
possible humiliation, could she hope that in the attainment of his aim
he would spare her? If she threw herself even now upon his mercy, would
he grant to her that which he had denied himself?

Dreading the consequences of even a moment's delay, she rose, and a hot
flush crimsoned her cheeks, as she looked up at the Judge.

"Is it my privilege to decide who shall defend me? Have I now the right
to accept or reject proffered aid?"

"The law grants you that privilege; secures you that right."

"Then I decline the services of the counsel who offers to plead in my
defence. I wish no human voice raised in my behalf, and having made my
statement in my own defence, I commit my cause to the hands of my God."

For a moment her eyes dwelt upon the lawyer's, and as she resumed her
seat, she saw the spark in their blue depths leap into a flame.
Advancing a few steps, his handsome face aglow, his voice rang like a
bugle call:

"May it please your Honor: Anomalous conditions sanction,