Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-09-11
CHAPTER XXXII.
THE ACOUITTAL.

ASHuAS' " ACn VIC uloSofoT thoS We nav
wronged you, we shall make acknowledge
ment of the wrong"
81 expect no less, /" said Rant; "there
are those present whose good opinion I
desire"
mot mine, surely, thought Harold.
"He takes high ground, this twisted
mortal"
proceed now to your defense" said
the President.
'Nay," said the hunchback, sit IS first
for you to state of what I am accused.
cit is stated on the summons. You are
accused of harboring woman of the isle. p"
''To the hurt of the hon, of the isle.
unless I mistake"
sit is So"
"Does not my form answer you? Look
well upon me. Is it likely that could
ever win woman's love ?"
"He can read the minds of men,"
thought Harold. "a woman's love Hard
to gain. But we live in an age of mira
Giles I"
"That is not the question:" said the
President; strange tales are told and
strange ideas held by many concerning
you, although you may rest assured that
we. your Judges, place but little value
upon idle rumor.
81 am glad to know it. If it be proved
that 1. with no unworthy intent, have
given shelter to the unfortunate, how shall
1 stand in your eyes?"
Acquitted, and entitled to our graft
tude. The laws of humanity, administered
with a pure intent, are sacred"
80 DO l regard them; and mans un-
graceful shape and uncouth manners should
not tell against him. Justice is blind
she sees not whether man be rich or poor,
crooked or straight. Despite your assur
ance, I am impelled by my experiences to
warn you to be careful that you are not
led away by the prejudice which exists
against me. l have heard some OF the
tales and ideas you speak of, and have
laughed at them, wondering, too. that they
should have gained hold upon the men of
the Silver Isle, who pride themselves upon
their common sense and reason. But it
proves you Humankind fallible. The
woman of the isle whom 1 am accused of
harboring, to her dishonor, stands by my
side. Do not forget that in this accusation
you are finging shameful stone upon one
of yourselves if it strike her it wounds
her not for it touches not her honor it
recoils upon those who accuse. her. If
upon this isle there is a home despoiled by
me- the particulars of the deed could
scarcely be hidden from you. Know you
of a man who mourns the loss OF wife or
daughter, and cries to you for justice on
the wronger ?"
We know of no such man.
chow vague, then, is the charge you
bring against me You make me wit
ness against myself. If 1 am guilty, 1
must bring my own guilt to light. You
shall not say of me that l thwart the
course of justice.
With his own hand he removed the
scarlet cloak and hood from the woman at
his side, and Bertha stood revealed. They
gazed at her in surprise, and then at Daniel
Christof In compassion; but of them all
he was the only man among them who was
unmoved. His eyes rested on his daugh-
ter's face without a sign of love or recogni-
ton. She met his gaze mournfully but
did not move towards him. She was
strangely and beautifully dressed in laces,
silks and jewels of great value. Bracelets
of pearls were on her arms, and diamond
cross at her neck. None of these orna-
ments were new they all bore upon them
the stamp OF an old fashion. The only
motion she made was to raise the cross to
her lips, and keep it there for little while
in one long clinging kiss.
GA fair woman" he thought beautiful
once beautiful now, and most wonderfully
attired. The court of King could show
nothing finer. That expression of sorrow
in her eyes is native to her she has seen
trouble" Harold was puzzled and inter-
ested. For moment an idea had occurred
to him that the woman might be Evan
geline, but glance dispelled the mingled
dread and hope. He continued his mus
ings. "Ranf has come well prepared.
His plot is q succession of surprises. Al
ready has he turned the tables upon his
Judges. Those jewels and laces are his.
How did he obtain possession Of them? Is
there fairy palace in the Silver Isle?"
Here" said Ranf, is the woman am
said to have wronged. Whom have 1
robbed? A father of his child? Let him
take her to his breast.
As he spoke these words he looked
straight into the face OF Daniel Christof,
and advanced a step towards him.
Daniel Christof rose slowly from his seat.
81 have no child" he said, in a cold,
passionless voice.
L MS WOTldn udlleb sdiu INdul, IL
Bertha Christof
Bertha Christof is dead" said Daniel
Christof, in the same metallic tone.
alt is false - retorted Ranf "she lives
and stands before you.
"It matters not. 1 have no child"
Had such crime as this, said Rant,
addressing the elders, been laid at my
door-had an innocent being of my own
blood, to whom 1 owed a duty of love and
gentle guidance, been by me thrust from
her home, and l was called upon to answer
the desertion-I should have humbled my
self before you, and without one word in
self-defense, have called upon you to pass
Judgment upon me. You are welcome to
entertain what harsh thoughts you please
against me can bear them. But when
you point the finger of shame at an limo
cont be;no whO cannot defend herself