, went down triumphantly into
the grave. Sustained, exalted by this most powerful passion that can
animate and possess a human soul, the prisoner stands a pure,
voluntary, self-devoted victim; defying the terrors of the law,
consenting to condemnation--surrendering to an ignominious death, in
order to save the life of the man she loves.

"Grand and beautiful as is the spectacle of her calm mournful heroism,
I ask you, as men capable of appreciating her noble self-immolation,
can you permit the consummation of this sacrifice? Will you, dare you,
selected, appointed, dedicated by solemn oaths to administer justice,
prove so recreant to your holy trust as to aid, abet, become
accessories to, and responsible for the murder of the prisoner by
accepting a stainless victim, to appease that violated law which only
the blood of the guilty can ever satisfy?

"In order to avert so foul a blot on the escutcheon of our State
judiciary, in order to protect innocence from being slaughtered, and
supremely in order to track and bring to summary punishment the
criminal who robbed and murdered Gen'l Darrington, I now desire, and
request, that your Honor will permit me to cross-examine the prisoner
on the statement she has offered in defence."

"In making that request, counsel must be aware that it is one of the
statutory provisions of safety to the accused, whom the law holds
innocent until proved guilty, that no coercion can be employed to
extort answers. It is, however, the desire of the court, and certainly
must accrue to the benefit of the prisoner, that she should take the
witness stand in her own defence."

For a moment there was neither sound nor motion.

"Will the prisoner answer such questions as in the opinion of the court
are designed solely to establish her innocence? If so, she will take
the stand."

With a sudden passionate movement at variance with her demeanor
throughout the trial, she threw up her clasped hands, gazed at them,
then pressed them ring downward as a seal upon her lips; and after an
instant, answered slowly:

"Now and henceforth, I decline to answer any and all questions. I am
innocent, entirely innocent. The burden of proof rests upon my
accusers."

As Mr. Dunbar watched her, noted the scarlet spots burning on her
cheeks, the strange expression of her eyes that glowed with unnatural
lustre, a scowl darkened his face; a cruel smile curved his lips, and
made his teeth gleam. Was it worth while to sa