The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1885-03-27

nvulslvely. ! think We were the most un'
lG,pyy pair on the earth!
We were even denied tho time for any
pre- farewolls or expressed regrets. The
ur was Ginning from the old cathedral
wer. The business OF the courts, ! knew,
ways began ut 10 o'clock, and considering
crowd which would most surely be at:
acted by so inter. sting case as this trial
murder committee SO many months ago,
cit sure that unless we proceeded at once
the Shirehall our chance of gaining on.
hnce would be but small one. ] hailed
% OF the close cabs which were waiting
tside the station.
As did so felt heavy hand laid upon
shoulder and heard q rich, pleasant
unding and not unfamiliar voice exclaim,
Basil North, as I'm sinnerl'
That any one should at this moment ad:
|ess Basil North in a merry way seemed
positive incongruity. turned around al.
ost angrily. and founu myself face to face
It'll an old friend. He was a barrister
med Grant; man four or five years my
hior, but one with whom, before l for.
1ore the society Of my fellow.men, had
en- on intimate terms. had not seen him
a considerable time; but had heard,
sually, that he was making great strides
n spite Of my distress I returned his
eeting and grasped his hand warmly. Az
all it seemed relief to find that had .
end left in the world.
what brings you here7" I asked.
1.-THE only thing that could bring mo to
eh place-circuit work. have an i'm
rtant case on to-day. That's the worst
IA place 80 near London as this one. One
tempted to spend the nights in town,
ich means getting up at an unholy hour
the morning. But you! Why ore you
~ 4 honHl rich NJ Mi60n
b living abroad In luxury"
i have been abroad for some time. I
Pc to 20 back again very SOON"
Happy mani" be calculated. I could
hrcely keep the bitter smile from my lips
thought how i'll applied were his words.
Az he smoke he glanced at Philippe, whose
ace and beauty OF form defied the con-
hlment attempted by thick veil and SOM
. garments.
But what brings you to this sleepy old
wnT' continued Grant.
hesitated for a moment. Then, think
that truth. or at least half truth, was
best, told him had come down to wit
IS the trial for murder.
Il should doubt your getting into court"
said. 1.-THE morbid interest excited
bund about here Is, am told, very great.
. sheriff is besieged by applications for
Ekets."
Couldn't you help met The fact is, l
We a particular reason, not mere curiosity,
wishing to be present ut this trial"
q don't think can," said Grant ''Does
|lr-the lady wish TO go with you"
My cousin-yes," said seeing that he
bected All introduction. He raised his
and made some courteous and pleasant
lied in calm and fitting way.
rant knew had no sister. I called her
sin because had wild hope that, If the
rst happened. might be able to conceal
true relationship in which we stood, and
be permitted to give evidence on her be.
+. trusted my wife would guess that l
a good reason for this deception.
Try and manage this for me, Grant" I
so earnestly that my friend made no
ther demur
Take me in your cab, and will see what
an do"
buring our drive to the Shirehall I asked
ant what he knew about the impending
81.
Nothing" he said. frankly. II hate
rider cases-hate even to read about them.
course know that Sir Mervyn Ferrand
killed and hidden in the snow for days
h days. But know no more"
Who is the accusedF'
don't know. thought, from your
kiety, you must know him."
viii he be found guiltyr
don't know. Stay, heard some one
b ought to be we'll informed say yester-
kt feeble. He seemed TO doubt il the
nd Jury would return true bill"
Is heard this pressed Philippa's hand
etly. I felt that she was trembling.
he drive to tho Shirehall occupied only a
minutes. We did not go to the public
rance, in front of which could see a
Nd OF people nearly blocking up the
ct. We stopped At another door, and
mt, after looking around, caught sight Of
It appeared to be An inspector Of police.
entered into . little conversation with
the result of which was that We were
In into his cars.
This Is a brssch Of the law" whispered
friend a. he bads me goodbye. "You
have to atone for It by q handsome
tuity."
Fe followed our guide. Philippe, Al.
uch walking with firm step. leaned
vily upon my arm. ! scarcely know by
ht door We suteFed that palace Of Jus
]. The stalwart policeman led US through
70 corridors and passages. which re-
I'D with the tread OF our feet, and at
We found ourssives before : double
EginE plain o.s door; ever which in old
IT."
felt Philippe shudder, and knew that
sipht,oe those words brought the horror
khs situation fully homo to her. Mechan.
k(ly pressed q sovereign in the hand Of
9 venial inspector, or whatever he was;
en-, holding my wife's hand. ! passed
rough the noiseleas swinging door into the
but empty court.
A few policemen and other officials were
lnging about Two or three people, who
d no doubt gained admittance in thar name
lsnes of vantage. I led Philippa up the
Dad steps, and pointed to one Of the hard
,oden benches provided for the accommo-
ton of the general public. These benches
re raised step by step, ono above another.
e chose our position about halfway up
rhs right-hand side Of tho court Phil
pa, with her thick veil falling down to her
lin, and SO defying recognition, sank wear
7 into her seat. I placed myself beside
n; my hand crept under the cloai she
ore and held her hand.
Surely, it was all dream-a dreadful,
alistic dream! I should wake and find
urtyard in gay Seville. my half-smoked
gar and the book which had been laxily
aiding lying at my feet; my mother oppo-
= me, laughing at my somnolency, and
Hlippa's grave dark eyes looking with
I'm everlasting love into my own.
ould wake and find the cool of the evening
I'd succeeded to the glare of the afternoon.
e should walk through the merry streets,
unge in the Alameda, wander through tho
owing Alcazar gardens, or drive out miles
I'd miles over the fertile smiling plains. Or
should even wake and find myself nodding
'er my fire in my lonely cottage, the stolid
lillian the only human creature within