The weekly herald. [volume] (Cleveland, Tenn.) 1876-1888, 1878-01-24
Idele'S Trial.

A party Of three were walking in th'
garden. Madame Fanshawe came first
She was a very little old lady, anC
would have made you think of fairy
with her gOld-headed cane, her glitter
ing puffs Of white hair, her black eyes
bright as diamonds, her long hOokeC
nose, her sharp eurving chin.
The young lady with her had fact
like some rich-hued tropical flower
the lips scarlet and sweet; the lovely
dark eyes shining. She had yellow
rose in her black hair and another al
her belt.
The third person was a gentleman
about twenty-eight. rather pale, bui
very handsome and naughty looking.
The three had just left the breakfast
table. and came out together for stroll
in madame's lovely rose garden.
The young gentleman was madame
son; the young lady was her adopted
daughter. The son by blood, and the
daughter by adoption, were to be mar
ried in a few weeks.
Madame was not pleased that it should
be so, but her son was his own master
and, after all, though she did not know
who her parents were, Idele was girl
to he proud Of. So she submitted with
seeming good grace.
Madame was the first to discover
something unusual and strange in the
path ahead of them, and fastening on
with the aid of her gOld-headed staff
reached it before the others, who were
gazing into each others eyes came up.
What madame had discovered was the
body offs youth of perhaps fourteen,
terribly detormed, but having beauti-
full face and fair, curling hair. He was
clothed i'm gay velvet suit, trimmed
with lace. and wOre scarlet hose; and
handsome shoes, WIKI shining buckles
He lay upon his side. and knife wa;
sticking in his hack whose carved
hsndle of silver proclaimed it to be nc
common weapon.
Close by was a summer house over
grown with roses, honysuekle and
sweet briar.
Madame bent doyn 10 nok closer
then she uttered & scream md started
back.
~ 'sR.hiliF, 'i-.slrA .eriee Philip. come
here. 1t is Cock Robin; some one killed
him. Look at the knife in his back. .
Philip Fanshawe stepped quickly be
tween the girl he loved and that ghastly
sight.
But some fascination drew Idele for
ward. She looked once, Ii was enough
With a stealthy, shuddering movement
her white hand crept, first to the flower
in her hair, then TO the one at her belt
and tearing both out, she dropped them
crushed, in the path.
The real name of the murdered boy
was Bobby Reese; but some one had
dubbed him Cock Robin one day, and
the name had stuck to him.
He was what is called half-witted
and was the only child of fayorit'
servant of Madame Fanshawe's. H'
was a sort Of pet with madame, one o
whose whims 1t had been to deck kin
in such finery as this he wore now.
"You had better go into the house
mother said Philip: you aud ldsle
and send Biddie to me. This is no pIhe
for you"
"who Is to tell his mother?" cries
madame, shrilly. "Nora'n go mad
"Tell her yourself. Wait-here sh'
is now. She has missed him"
A woman was coming towards then
with her apron to her eyes. She wa
crying.
~ can't find my little lad, madame,
she said, as soon as she was nea
enough. ellis beds not been slept IL
all night. I'm sore troubled for tn
boy"
And then, as both Philip and Madam
Fanshawe had stepped between her an'
moor slain Cock Robin, she caught
glimpse Of his blue velvet-iacket, am
hung herself past them like MAJ
creature.
Idele turned and ran suddepiy iron
the sound Of those frightfal screams
r going straIght to her own roem AM
locking herself in. She had nOt beel
there long when Madame Fanshaw
cane.
.'Let me in quickly, Idele," sh
called, in an imperative tone, II mus
speak with you instantly-instantly, d
you hears,'
Idele opened the door. Her hair wa
tumbled, her eyes we're red. She wa
trembling.
"Did yOu wish to speak to me, Mad
ame 20 she asked, looking down.
Aud then Madame Fanshawe puile
sssnr.hing out Of her pocket and aashe'
it before her.
II was a string OF carbuneles, eacI
bead Joined to Its fellow by a goldeI
link.
Idele glanced atthcm at indiiereutly
'.I had not missed them she faid
Where did you lind themr"