Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1888-08-26
CHAPTER MI.
SHE WAS A TRUE WOMAN.

SHE WAS A TRUE WOMAN.
Melbourne society was greatly agitated
over the hanson cab murder. Before the
assassin bad been discovered it had been
looked upon as common murder, and
one that society need take TO cognizance
of beyond the fact that it was something
new to talk about. Bat now the affair
was assuming gigantic proportions, since
the assassin had been discovered to be one
of the most fashionable young men in
Melbourne. Mrs. Grundy was shocked
and openly talked about having
nourished a viper in her bosom, which
had turned unexpectedly and stung her,
In Toorak drawing-rooms and Melbourne
clubs the matter was talked about morn,
noon and night, and Mrs. Grundy declared
positively that she never heard Of such q
thing. Here was young man, we'll born
-''the Fitzgerald, my dear, an Irish fami-
~, with royal blood in their veins-well
bred-"most charming manners, assure
you, and 30 very good looking" and en-
gagged to one of the richest girls in Mel
bourne-''pretty enough, madam, no doubt,
but he wanted her money, ally dog" And
this young man, who had been petted by
the ladies, voted good fellow by the
men, and WAS universally popular, both in
drawing room and club, had committed
vulgar murder--it was truly shocking.
As to Mr.. Felix Rolleston, it was time
Of great joy 20 him, knowing as he did
sll the circumstances of the case and the
dramatis persona When any new evil
dence came to light, Rolleston was the
first to know all about it, and wonld 20
round to friends and relate il with certain
additions Of his own, which rendered it more
piquant aud dramatic. But when asked
his opinion ~ to the guilt of the accused
he would shake his head sagaciously, and
hint that both he and his dear friend CAL
ton he knew Gallon to nod to-could not
make up their minds upon the matter.
Fact is, don't you know ;" observed
Mr.. Rollestou, wisely, there's more in this
than meets the eye, and all that sort of
thing-think 'tective fellers wrong myself
don't think Fitz killed Whyte; jolly we'll
sure he didn't"
Mr.. Rolleston, however, in spite Of his
reservations, had no grounds for his belief
that Fitzgerald was innocent and in bis
heart of hearts thought him guilty. But
then he was one of those people who, hav-
ing either tender hearts or obstinate ns-
lures, more particularly the latter, always
make point of coming forward
as champions of those ia trouble
with the world ct large. There is proysrb
to the effect that the world kicks q man
when he il down; but ID one half OF the
world does act in such a brutal manner,
the other consoles the PROSTATE individual
with half pence So, taking things as a
whole, though the weight of public opinion
was dead against the innocence Of Fiiz-
gerald, still he had friends aud sympa-
thizsrs, who stood up for him and declared
that he was wrongly accused.
Cation YVES very much annoyed at
Brian's persistent refusal to set up the de-
Tense of an alibi, and, as he felt sure that
tho young man could do SO, he was anx.
ious to find out the reason why he did not
do so.
"If it's for the sake of woman" he
said to Brian, 81 don't care who she is,
it's sbsurdly Qui&otic. Self-preservation
is the first law Of nature, and if my neck
was in danger I'd spare neither man,
woman nor child 70 save it." 4
Il dare say" answered Brian, "but If
you hsd my reasons you might think diff
ferently." .....
In his own mind the lawyer had theory
which sufficiently accounted for Brian's
refusual to answer for his doings on that
night. Fitzgerald had admitted that
he hsd an appointment on that
night, and that it was with q woman.
He was o handsome fellow, and prob
ably his morals were no better tkan
those Of other youug men, so Cation
thought that Brian had acme intrigue with
O married woman, and had been with her
on the night in question; hence his refusal
to speak. If he did so her name would be
brought into the matter; the outraged hus-
band, whoever be might be, would inter
pose, and the whole affair would probably
end in divorce court.
"Is's better for him TO lose his character
than his life," urged Gallon, "and that wo-
man ought to speak-it would be hard on
her, ] admit; but when mans neck Is in
danger she ought to risk anything rather
than see him hanged"
Full of these perplexing thoughts, CAL
ton went down TO St Kilda to have o talk
with Madge over the matter, and also to
zee If she would help him to obtain the in
formation he wanted. He had great re-
spect for Msdge, knowing what o clever
woman she was, and thought that, seeing
Brian was 90 deeply in love with her. il