The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1886-10-08
CHAPTER XII.
AT THE BAR

AT THE BAR
/ need not dwell upon the events that inn
medately followed Daisys arrest Too soon
l was compelled to admit that the web of
circumstantial evidence woven against my
darling was only too close and complete.
| There We're two examinations before the
magistrates, in addition to the preliminary
one; but shall not delay my story by re-
| ferring more particularly to them. At the
end of the last examination Daisy was COM
mitted to the assizes at York for trial on the
| capital charge.
had been constantly In attendance upon
her during this terrible time, and, along
with DR.. Branksome, had adopted every
method OF obtaining evidence on her behalf
that presented itself to me- But all our
efforts had been in vain We could not
adduce single fact that tended to break
down that dreadful chain Of discriminating
testimony which was woven against her by
witnesses both willing and the reverse.
1t was after Daisy's final committal that
Branksome and 1 quarreled. Up to that
moment l had been constantly with him
and had taken his advice in every matter
concerning the trial He on his side had
treated me with gentleness and frankness
which had strengthened his hold upon my
feelings. He had never referred directly to
the fact that it was my action at Trondhjem
which had set the atal engine of the law in
motion He had even listened to me with
grave attention when openly declared my
belief that Flinter was at the bottom of the
mystery and that he had probably worked
through some accomplish at the hall When
he had asked me where that accomplice was
to be found, had told him of my meeting
with Gregson and had suggested that if we
ba iont
perhaps obtain some clew to the real origin
of the tragedy.
He was evidently surprised by my account
of what Gregson had said to me on my jour
ney by rail to Great Lorton Hall and, after
considering the matter for some time he adj
mitted that the first step to be taken was to
discover this man and learn the meaning of
his dec arations The finding of Gregson
was q part Of our common task, which
Branksome took into his own hands He
knew something of the man, he told me-had
known him, in fact, when he was in the en-
ployment of Mr. Mauleverer in Australia
and he had no doubt about his ability to
discover him.
Once l ventured to ask Branksome by
what right this fellow had followed and per-
secuted Daisy ON the occasion of my first
meeting with her But OH this subject he
than he could with regard to the mans sin
lister predictions regarding the murder at
Great Lorton Hall.
Up to this point, l say, had worked in
the most perfect harmony with the doctor
But now, when Daisy had been committed to
take her trial at the asSizes, we quarreled,
and quarreled bitterly and irrevocably.
Il have thought rything over care
fully" he said to me, as we sat together in
the hotel ON the night after the examination
was closed. II have weighed all the evil
dence, and the position of the poor girl, and
l have come to the conclusion that there is
only one course to be taken"
Sand what is that" l asked, eagerly.
"She must plead guilty, in which case
have no doubt that we shall be able to save
her life."
could scarcely believe my ears. For a
moment was stunned by this unexpected
suggestion.
"Guiltyw cried, when found my voice.
"You suggest that she should confess to this
horrible crime-you, Dr. Branksome, who
have stood in the place of n father to her.
and who ought to know her innocence, and
purity as well as / do myself You are Jest
ing, surely"
He shook his head, AMI those deep dark
eyes of his looked fixedly into mine
ave have done our best, my friend" he
said, "and we have failed. Don't let us de-
ceive ourselves as to the truth any longer"
"Speak for yourself, sir" cried, in mo-
ment freeing myself from the influence
which the man had so long exercised over
me. off you choose to adopt the monstrous
falsehood--yes. 1t is a falsehood, and you
know it-that Daisy is guilty, then go your
way, and join the band of her prosecutors
and bring her to the gallows if you canl
but don't ask me to join you in the Internal
work"
"Be calm, sir" said. Branksome, sternly.
"You compel me to remind you how it is
that Daisy's life has been endangered"
sprang to my feet, exasperated beyond
endurance by that fatal recollection.
"Dr. BranlSsome, owe you much in con-
nection with this matter, and shall try to
remember my debt But there Is one thing
l shall never forgive-never while l live
and that is that you should have been ready
to desert Daisy in her hour Of sorest need"
left the room in hot Indignation, and
from that time we met no more as friends.
obtained an interview with Daisy-though
it was more difficult to do so now that she
had been committeeman procured from her
the full authority which l needed to enable
me to take charge of her interests during
her trial. Inc good people or tle prison
ptied both her and me. Her beauty, her
youth, the tie which bound us to each other,
all seemed to awaken in the hearts of the
officials feeling of sympathy and goodwill
toward us. Even the chief constable East
mead, was friendly in his manner, and quito
willing to do what he could to assist me in
the task had undertaken as Daisy's cham
pion. In the little town of Barton, where the
Mauleverer poisoning case was for weeks
the sole topic of discussion, everybody knew
the story of Daisy and myself; and l was
conscious that as l walked through the
streets / was followed by the plying glances
of the passers-by. But alas, no comfort was
brought to my soul by all this outflowing of
generous sympathy. For in my heart of
hearts / knew that all these people believed
my darling to be guilty-believed it all the
more certainly now that it was known that
even her guardian, Branksome, had deserted
her. 1, and l only, knew her to be free
from blame; and alasl l found myself as
time passed less able to convert others TO my
view.
There was one thing I could and did do