that of Thurston. The witness was strictly
cross-questioned by the counsel for the prisoner, but the
cross-examination failed to weaken his testimony, or to elicit anything
more favorable to the accused. Oliver Murray was then directed to stand
aside.

The next witness was Miriam Shields. Deeply veiled and half fainting,
the poor girl was led in between Colonel and Miss Thornton, and allowed
to sit while giving evidence. When told to look at the prisoner at the
bar, she raised her death-like face, and a deep, gasping sob broke from
her bosom. But Thurston fixed his eyes kindly and encouragingly upon
her--his look said plainly: "Fear nothing, dear Miriam! Be courageous!
Do your stern duty, and trust in God."

Miriam then identified the prisoner as the man she had twice seen alone
with Marian at night. She further testified that upon the night of April
8th, 182-, Marian had left home late in the evening to keep an
appointment--from which she had never returned. That in the pocket of
the dress she had laid off was found the note appointing the meeting
upon the beach for the night in question. Here the note was produced.
Miriam identified the handwriting as that of Mr. Willcoxen.

Paul Douglass was next called to the stand, and required to give his
testimony in regard to the handwriting. Paul looked at the piece of
paper that was placed before him, and he was sorely tempted. How could
he swear to the handwriting unless he had actually seen the hand write
it? he asked himself. He looked at his brother. But Thurston saw the
struggle in his mind, and his countenance was stern and high, and his
look authoritative, and commanding--it said: "Paul! do not dare to
deceive yourself. You know the handwriting. Speak the truth if it kill
me." And Paul did so.

The next witness that took the stand was Dr. Brightwell--the good old
physician gave his evidence very reluctantly--it went to prove the fact
of the prisoner's absence from the deathbed of his grandfather upon the
night of the reputed murder, and his distracted appearance when
returning late in the morning.

"Why do you say reputed murder?"

"Because, sir, I never consider the fact of a murder established, until
the body of the victim has been found."

"You may stand down."

Dr. Solomon Weismann was next called to the stand, and corroborated the
testimony of the last witness.

Several other witnesses were then called in succession, whose testimony
being only corrobor