River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1878-11-07


the authorities effectually prevented a
second meeting
THE HONORABLE MISS KING WAS CAPTURED
in her retreat at Kensington and sent TO
ireland privately in care Of confidential
servant. There she was immured IN
Kingston Castle, but she was allowed to
roam freely through the garden, though
always under the eye Of her keeper. All
this was done with such an air OF secrecy
that the actors in it hoped they had
thrown Fitzgerald completely off the
scent.
The enemy knew, however, where his
prize lay. lie had even actually engaged
the services Of the confidential servant"
A golden key had unlocked all the CONT
dence of that creature. Indeed all was
arranged for another flight when the plot
was discovered. RedOubled vigilance
was employed. All the outlets and in
lets Of the Castle were watched day and
night.
1t is no easy task, however, to contend
with the genius of fell passion. Colonel
Fitzgerald condemned the dangers which
threatened him in the pursuit of his dar
ling object. The unholy desire to again
soul. In moment cf frenzy he resolved
to throw himself into the enemys head
quarters. He crossed over to Ireland,
and put up at BaTy's Hotel. in Micheals-
town, within sight Of the town of King
ston Castle.
Here his ingenuity seemed to fail him.
Though thoroughly disguised, his caution
was so excessive as to cali attention to his
movements. The inn-lleeper was or the
lookout for suspicious strangers, and find
ing the movements of the newly-arrIved
guest stealthy, and always made by night,
appraised Lord Kingsborough of the fact.
NV lord lost no time in reaching
Michealstown. To his immense disap-
pointment, tie person he sought could
not he found He had paid his bill and
gone, not telling any one whittier; and in
the absence of the inn-keeper no watch
was kept upon him. 1t was discovered
after some inquiry and the expenditure
of some money that in the outskirts of the
own he had taken a carriage, ana had
been set down at Kllworth, q rugged town
in lonely and desolate district some ten
or a dozen miles off. In the days when
Ireland had its Robin Hood this Kill
worth had been famous rendezvous for
the way ward fraternity who lived by high
way robbery. 1t was the scene of many
and bloody trays, and was not an unmett
spot for robber and lustful soldier to
lie in ambush.
Mounting their horses, the pursuers
left Nitchelstown in hot haste. They
clam bered the rugged, rocky paths which
led for miles through strengthening
morasses, and after doing miracles in the
fast trotting line, finally reached the inn
where the stranger had taken refuge.
an interview was at once sought. 1t
was refused, on the plea Of fatigue The
pursuers were not to be baffled. Ascend
ing the narrow, dark stairs, they demand
ed admittance in menacing tones. A
gruff denial was returned. In an instant
the door was dashed open.
The two Colonies at once closed upon
each other In what looked like a deadly
combat.
Fitzgerald showed himself too able for
his opponent, and Lord Kingsborough.
seeing the seducer of his daughter once
again successful, shot him throug the
heart, and in minute or less he lay a
corpse on the floor.
The law took cognizance of the vio-
lence The Grand jury, however, ignored
the bill against Colonel King and his at
tendant, while they found a bill fer
murder aginst Kingsborough. Pending
the trail he had succeeded, by the death
OF his father, to the Earldom of Kingston,
and claimed the privilege o. being tried
by his peers.
The affair was, therefore, taken from
the Courts to the House OF Lords. The
trial took place in Dublin, on the 18th OF
MAY, 179S. The inteI est it excited was
extraordinary. Since tie trial of Lord
Byron for the murder Of Mr.. Chaworth,
no judicial process Of this kind had taken
place.
In the procession which was formed on
the day Of the trial, the Masters in Chan
Gerry and inferior Judges went first, wear
ing their judicial robes. The minor or
ders of the nobility followed. AID next
came the oldest sons of the peers. Then
followed the peers two by two after
whom marched, in solemn majesty, the
Earl of Glare, then Lord Chancellor.
After charge by the Chancellor, evil
dence was called for, but none was forth
coming. 4 second and third appeal
had the same result. Then each peer
pronounced Earl Kingston, mot guilty"
The fate of Lady Mary remains to be told.
Society was practically closed to her.
Her erratic career estranged her from the
family. Exile seemed her best resource.
She could not undo the past and there
was no use in hesitating about her future
career. Complete isolation from all her
former associations would, she consid
cred, be her only source of reposo.
In those days isolation was much more
easily REQUIRED than now. Lady Mary
found it IN North Wales, without much
difficulty. There, one evening, while her
heart was full Of gratitude for the kind
ness she had received from the family
with whom she lived. she toli, round a
blaz og fire, the story of her sorrows, ad
ventures, and what she conceived to be.
her wrongs. 1t was aiterward carefully
committed to writing, and, out of awe or
respect toward the magnates OF high life,
was very slow to make its way permanent
" into print. Lady Mary dwelt in Wales,
| and made the son of her host her heir.
In the matter of erratic devotion among
the upper Ten," there are few stranger
illustrations.