and Thurston turned his face
away again; for an instant his soul sunk under the pall of despair that
fell darkening upon it. It was not conviction in the court he thought
of--he would probably be acquitted by the court--but what should acquit
him in public opinion? The evidence that might not be strong enough to
doom him to death would still be sufficient to destroy forever his
position and his usefulness. No eye, thenceforth, would meet his own in
friendly confidence. No hand grasp his in brotherly fellowship.

The State's Attorney was still proceeding with his speech. He was now
stating the case, which he promised to prove by competent witnesses--how
the prisoner at the bar had long pursued his beautiful but hapless
victim--how he had been united to her by a private marriage--that he had
corresponded with her from Europe--that upon his return they had
frequently met--that the prisoner, with the treachery that would soon be
proved to be a part of his nature, had grown weary of his wife, and
transferred his attentions to another and more fortune-favored lady--and
finally, that upon the evening of the murder he had decoyed the unhappy
young lady to the fatal spot, and then and there effected his purpose.
The prosecuting attorney made this statement, not with the brevity with
which it is here reported, but with a minuteness of detail and warmth of
coloring that harrowed up the hearts of all who heard it. He finished by
saying that he should call the witnesses in the order of time
corresponding with the facts they came to prove.

"Oliver Murray will take the stand."

This, the first witness called, after the usual oath, deposed that he
had first seen the prisoner and the deceased together in the Library of
Congress; had overheard their conversation, and suspecting some
unfairness on the part of the prisoner, had followed the parties to the
navy yard, where he had witnessed their marriage ceremony.

"When was the next occasion upon which you saw the prisoner?"

"On the night of the 8th of April, 182-, on the coast, near Pine Bluff.
I had landed from a boat, and was going inland when I passed him. I did
not see his face distinctly, but recognized him by his size and form,
and peculiar air and gait. He was hurrying away, with every mark of
terror and agitation."

This portion of Mr. Murray's testimony was so new to all as to excite
the greatest degree of surprise, and in no bosom did it arouse more
astonishment than in