Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1885-03-13

"But 'chy did he plead g,Wtv?' I asked.
'Because he ,cas u foot" raped out Mr..
Crisp
" Because he was fool, " raped out Mr..
Crisp. 1t was like committing suicide. |
don't care a button for the man himself; but
| confess was annoyed at seeing my case
all knocked to pieces by his obstinacy. |
went to him; if you were III court you no
doubt saw me. begged him to withdraw
his plea told him could save him Yet
the fool insisted
"Did penitenca or remorse urge himT
"Idont know. He could have had more
time for penit nee ami remorse if he had
let me save him from the gallows. No; he
says, It's no good-not bit of good You
don't know all know. There's some one in
court who knows all about it-saw it all
done She's come to hang me-. have no
id, what he meant"
l started. / know what the man meant
He, in common with every one else in that
court, had turned and looked at Philippe as
she rose from her seat and addressed the
judge. 1t the sight of Philippa that
had taken away the wretchs last hope of
escape
81 wash my hands Of the fellow, of
course" continued Mr.. Crisp; "but did
take the trouble to inquire if any witnesses
for the prosecution had been allowed to enter
the court. am assured they were all kept
in waiting outside"
sat for some moments in deep thought.
The solicitor looked at me as if he fancied l
I had already taken up much OF his valu-
able time as he could spare.
as there any way of gaining access to the
condemned man." | said Could you, for
instance, geL an order to see HING
"No doubt could but | have no oil ject in
seeing him."
Il will give you an object," ! said. II
want you to that man, and if possible
get a written, or at least dictated, confession
from him-not of the bald fact that he is
guilty, but of all particulars connected with
the murder"
Mr. Crisp looked surprised, and expressed
his opinion that it was all but impossible to
obtain what wanted.
/ had taken rather a fancy to the brisk
spoken, sharp little man He seemed to me
/ trustworthy; so that, after consideration, /
determined to contiie to him my reasons
for making this request. Under the assur-
ance of professional secrecy, | told him
! briefly so much as | thought fit of Phiippa's
and my own connection with the events of
| that night. He listened with an interest
which augured well for tho reception which
awaits the sombre tale | now give to the
world. His curiosity seemed excited and
he promised TO see the convict, and if posi-
! BILE learn all wanted to know. l left my
address and. bade him good day.
did not care to linger at Tewnham; so /
walked down to the railway station, intend
ing to return to town by the next train As
l waited on the platform down train
came in. A sudden impulse seized me. The
day was still young. l had time to spare
! crossed the bridge entered the train, and
in quarter of an hour was at Roding. |
went there because l was impeled by a de-
sire to once more visit the actual scene of
the beginning of all these troubles.
/ i walked that road which Sir Mervyn
Ferrand had walk ed that dark night. But
oh, how changed every thing was! Yet not
more changed than our own ives 1t was
glorious afternoon in September The rain
of the preceding day had left the earth
moist and fresh. The fields, on either side
of the road, were cleaning with that bright,
pure emerald which they wear after the
ruthless cythe has swept away the ripe
grass and ne marguerites and other flowers
which grew among it; or else they were
filled from hedge to hedge with golden
sea of waving corn, or sheaves waiting
to be garnered; for the harvest that
year was not early. The wild roses were
long over but fragrant honeysuckle and
other wild flowers still made gay the hedge
rows and banks. The birds had awakened
from their August silence and were singing
once more. The great sleepy cows lay under
the sh AIDE of the trees. The large mows of
new hay stood side by side with their dingy-
looking but more valuable elder brothers
The whole land seemed wrapped in happy
autumnal reposc The scene was calm peace
full and thoroughly typical of England. SO
beautiful it was, so full now felt of love for
my native land that had those pages been
then written should upon my return home
have erased all my glowing description OF
Seville
A breath of soft but fresh air came blow.
ing from the faraway downs | drew in q
deep draught; ! threw back my shoulders
and stood erect laughed aloud in my great
happiness rs comical picture, familiar to
my childhood, of Christian losing his bur
den rose before my mind, and seemed to be
the exact thing wanted to illustrate my own
case Yes, the burden had borne had fallen
from my back foreverl
Ali here is the spot-the very spot where
Sir Mervyn fell. 1t here, just under
that cluster of ragged must have
have placed his corpse, little thinking that
the kind white snow would hide it and save
my love and me. Oh, how ! prayed in those
days that the bitter weather might last that
its iron grip would hold the world fast until
Philippa's health and strength returnedl 1t
did SO. and saved usl