Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-09-04

he spoke. Mauvain, continued Harold,
regrets his absence the more because it
prevents him from witnessing scene so
remarkable as this. 1t is years since he
saw his friend the hunchback, and it would
have been happiness to him could he
have personally attended, and testified to
the virtues of creature so interesting.
Should it be the hunchback's fate to fall
under your displeasure, it will grieve
| Mauvain to the heart-really, to the heart.
But doubtless it will be my good fortune
to describe to my friend how completely
the stranger whom, for his sake, you
welcomed to your isle, has cleared himself
of any charge you may bring against him.
| He has but his virtues to recommend him.
Little enough bat man is frail, and we
must not bear too hard on imperfection.
I myself have erred his eyes rested here
on Margaret's face and am disposed to
be lenient.
eve are Judges said the President,
coldly. eve accept you as Mauvain's rep
resentative. You shall see that we know
how to dispense justice"
q Who can doubt it," murmured Har-
old, sinking languidly into his seat, as the
hunchback entered the Coart.
Rants entrance was opportune it was
as though he had timed this dialogue to the
moment. He was accompanied by woman,
muifled from head to foot in a scarlet cloak,
the hood of which covered her head and
concealed her features. All eyes were
turned to her in eager curiosity, but she
stood, evidently in accordance with in
structions, by RANTS side with her head
inclined to the ground. Harold was the
only person in whose gaze there was not
something of pain. Dramatic, +" he muir
INJURED every dramatic. a touch OF art. "
For full a minute Rant and Harold gazed
steadily at each other; Harold's face ex-
pressed amusement Rant s, contempt.
:" Decidedly" thought Harold, Z" the
hunchback is not of forgiving nature.
He harbors resentment, and has grown
even more stunted and ill-favored. a for
tune for caravan.
At this point disturbance occurred,
which claimed attention. One of the Off
GERS of the Court informed the President
that man demanded admittance, and
would not be denied.
What authority has he for intrusion %
asked the President
This, replied the officer, presenting
paper to the Court.
1t proved to be a letter from Rant, re-
questing the bearers presence in case
rejecting upon the honor of his family.
The letter was addressed to Daniel Christof,
name well known and once honored in
the Silver Isle. At the utterance of this
name by the President, the draped figure
at RANTS side shuddered, but RANTS strong
hand upon her shoulder restrained any
further expression of emotion.
Is this in your hand ? - asked the
President of Rant. holding out the letter.
at is, " replied Rant.
SIS Daniel ChristoPs presence neces-
sary for your vindication
81 deem it both just and necessary
that he should be witness OF these pro-
ceedings.'
Admit him, said the President to the
officer.
There entered an old man, Withholding
and haggard, bent down by age and in
ward suffering. His form was spare, his
hands long and thin, and in his blue eyes
dwelt a wandering look which never for
longer than moment rests upon any one
object.
"My crooked friend, thought Harold,
as he contemplated the grouping, =" has an
eye for effect. This composition would do
credit to an artist.
"Daniel Christof, said the President,
with much pity in his voice, you are
here by no wish of those who loved and
honored you. We, who have ever sympa-
thized with your deep misfortunes, would
have left yop in your solitude to work out
your peace with God. But your presence
is demanded by one who stands before us
for justice"
Daniel Christof raised his hands with
trembling motion, indicating that he heard
and understood, but he uttered no word.
''The Court now impaneled, said the
President, addressing Rant, has full
authority over the affairs of the isle. 1t
was considered advisable that the present
inquiry should be private, as we are in
ignorance of what may transpire before we
part company. We received you among
us in good faith, and gave you welcome.
Such welcome, although it is not imbued
with the spirit we would desire-a fault
not ours-will not be withdrawn, if it is
made apparent to US that you have not
transgressed our laws. Indeed, it cannot
be withdrawn without full and ample
cause We would mete out to you even
larger liberation than we would accord to
each other. But you stand within our
jurisdiction, and it is within our power to
Danish you from the isle, being stranger
living in our land by courtesy, should it
be proved that you brought disgrace and
dishonor upon one of our people. You
may recognize the justice of my words. >"
"They are words, said Rant, 81 myself
should use, were in your place and you
in mine"
+" If that is an indication of the spirit in
which you meet us, we shall not underrate
its value in the task before us. 1t hap
pens, fortunately or otherwise, that at this
iuncture the two men who are responsible
for your presence on the Silver Isle have
come among us, and one is present here to-
day. 1t may be that he will use his intiu-
| a,oa an y,our behalf "