Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1885-03-06

wrong with INN; although did non even
now regret tine course | had taken, an
uouli to say that his Cuward,y uchlvior
took away much Of the sympathy watch
should Otherwise have felt for him in hls I'M
menttd rrriicament. II is, Of course, very
easy TO 'Hy what one would do if in anothcr's
placa certainty felt sure that, were in
tuat poor fellows plight, that con cou.nrss
OF M own innocence would give mo strength
cnod.;h to raise my head and face boldly all
the judges, juries and prosecuting counsel in
Tire world. ! was willing to make avery
allowance for the nervousness ua ura to
such position; but | groaned inwardv as
gazld upon that miserable, limp, Laif stand.
ing, half Reclining FORM
Why does he not stand upright! Too well
know that another is watching that abiect
wretch with interest even more intense than
mine. / know that every attitude of shame
or fear is understood by Phiippa, an adds
to the scruples which she feels at following
my advice and awaiting the result of the
trial. Every agonizad movement of the
prisoner in the dock seems to he family re-
produced by the hand within my own.
Every pang he suffers runs through the
frame Of the woman who knows that he is
suffering for her deed.
The clerk reads over the Indictment
willfuliv, md o. malice atoreihought kin
and murder ~ir MrrYyn Fc,ranl, Earonet."
As the reading rrocac!1 PMliupa draws me
toward her, "Bus..' she spvs in low
whisper, "thiI is more dreadful than
dreamed Of. | cannot bear il longer Think
Of that poor mans anguish Basil, he also
may have "a wife who loves him; she may
be in the cour. Think OF her Oh! whai
car do! What san dor
'Nothmg-notling bat wait and hope,n /
answer
Could you not 60 down and speak to him,
or send IA IN, ssage in some way! Tell him
not to be so wrctched; that even at the last
moment he will he saved: that the real muir
derer will confess AMI free him. Basil, you
must do this
II cannot. dare not. 1t will rain u.s.
Hush, dearest; he calm, and listen"
The reading of the indictment is now over
The clerk turns to the prisoner. Are YOU
guilty, or not guiltyF' he asks in u clear
voice. Although every one in that court
knows what the answer will be, there is n
silence so profound that a pin might be
heard drop. Every one seemed DESTROYS Of
hearing the prisoners voice. Even |, my
SELF lean forward, and strain every nerve to
hear his plea.
There is "A long, dead pause 1t may he
that the prisoner does not understand that
he is expected to reply. 1t may he that his
collapsed state deprives him of the power of
speec.. ! notice that one of the policemen
touches him on the shoulder, and whispers
to him. Still for moment there is silence.
1t is broken, but not by the prisoner Phil.
ippa gives a low, soft wall, heard only,
think, by me.
Il can bear it no longer" she whispers.
She snatches her hand from mine. Sne
throws back her thick, dark veil and stands
erect in the body Of the court. cast one
glance at her pale but determined looking
face, then low my head upon my hands and
wish that death might at that moment smite
us both. All is over. am conquered
Even as hide my face see every eye in
that thronged court turning to the tall, ma.
jestic, dark-robed figure which rises in the
midst Of that motley throng Then, clear
and loud, hear her beloved voice ring out
''My lord" hear her say. ] raise my
head at the sound. The eyes of bench bar,
jury and public are fixed upon her. The
very prisoner turns in the dock and Gazes
straight at her.