The man I
chased had one. Just then a great cry came from the parlor. I rushed
up to the window to look within. One of the panes of glass had been
broken.
"My grandfather was lying on the floor. Two of the servants were
standing near, looking at him as if paralyzed. There was blood on his
white shirt front. Oh! I can't tell you how it--"
He could not continue for a full minute or more. The girl was scarcely
breathing.
"I just stood there and stared, the gun in my hand. Suddenly some one
leaped upon me from behind. It was my uncle Frank and he was out of
breath, very much excited. 'You little devil!' he yelled two or three
times. Then he called for help. Servants came running from all
directions. I didn't know what he meant. Soon I was to learn."
"He--he thought you killed him?" whispered Christine.
"He _said_ I killed him. I was dazed--I was crazy. It was a long time
before I realized what was happening to me. The--the servants and the
neighbors who came in wanted to lynch me--but Judge Gainsborough, who
rode over in his night-clothes from his plantation, prevailed upon them
to wait--to give me a hearing.
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