Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1888-09-27
TheMpteryofaHalSonCab
By FERGUS ". HUME
CHAPTER XVII
THE TRIAL

sired Sal Rawlins still remained hidden. The
millionaire had maintained a most friendly
attitude towards Brian throughout the whole
affair He refused to believe him guilty, and
when Calton told him Of tho defense Of
proving an alibi by means Of Sal Rawlins,
he Immediately offered a large reward,
which was enough in itself to set every
person with any time on their hands
hunting for the missing witness All Aus
tralia and New Zealand rang with the ex-
tremely plebeian name of Sal Rawlins, the
papers being full of notices offering rewards,
and handbills Of staring red letters were
posted up In all railway stations. Notwith-
standing all this, Sal Rawlins was still I'M
discovered, and Calton, in despair, began to
think that she must be dead But Madge,
though at times her courage gave way, was
still hopeful.
"God will not permit such judicial crime
to be committed as the murder of an inno-
cent man." she declared.
Mr.. Calton, to whom she said this, shook
his head doubtfully "God has permitted it
to take place BEFORE" he answered softly,
land we can only judge tho future by the
past"
At last the day of the long expected trial
cape, and as Calton sat in his office looking
over his brief, clerk entered and told him
Mr.. Frettlby and his daughter wished to see
him. When they came in the barrister saw
the millionaire looked haggard and i'll, and
there was look of worry on his face.
"There is my daughter, Cation" he said,
after hurried greetings had been exchanged
"She wants to be present in court during
Fitzgerald's trial, and nothing can say will
dissuade her.p
Calton turned, and looked at the girl in
some surprise.
"Yesl" she answered, meeting his look
steadily, though her face was very pale; 81
must be there. shall go mad with anxiety
unless know how the trial goes on"
"But think of the disagreeable amount of
attention you will attract" urged the
lawyer.
"No one will recognize me-" she said
calmly; ~ am very plainly dressed, and l
will wear this veil;" and, drawing one from
her pocket, she went over to small looking
glass which was hanging on the wall and tied
it on her face.
Calton looked in perplexed manner at Mr..
Frettlby.
"rm afraid you must consent" he said
every WE'LL" replied the other, almost
sternly, while a look of annoyance passed
over his face. II will leave her in your
charge"
Sand your
"Im not coming" answered Frettlby, put
ting on his hat. II don't care about seeing
man whom have had at my dinner table in
the prisoners dock, much as I sympathize
with him. Good days" and with q curt nod
he took his leave.
When the door closed on her father, Madge
placed her hand on Cations arm.
."Any hopei" she whispered, looking at him
through the black veil
"The nerest chance" answered Cation,
putting his brief into his bag. 1--WE have
done everything in our power to discover this
girl, but without effect. If she does not
come at the eleventh hour I'm afraid Brian
Fitzgerald is doomed man."
Madge fell on her knees with stifed cry.
"Oh, God of mercy" she cried, raising her
hands as if in prayer, ''save him. Save my
darling, and let him not die for the crime Of
another. God"-
She dropped her face in her hands and
wept convulsively, as the lawyer touched her
lightly on the shoulder.
"ComeW he said, kindly. "Be the brave
girl you were, AMI we may save him yet
The hour is darkest before the dawn, you
know"
Madge dried her tears and followed the
lawyer to the cab, which was waiting for
them at the door. They drove quickly up to
the court, and Calton put her in quiet
place, where she could see the dock and yet
be unobserved by the people in the body of
the court. Just as he was leaving her she
touched his arm.
"Tell him." she whispered, in a trembling
voice, "tell my darling am here"
Calton nodded and hurried away to put on
bis wig and gown, while Madge looked hur-
riedly round the court from her point of
vantage. It was crowded with fashionable
Melbourne Of both sexes, and they were all
talking together in subdued whispers. The
popular character of the prisoner, his good
looks and engagement to Madge Frettlby,
together with the extraordinary circum-
stances Of the case, had raised public curios-
ity to the highest pitch, and, consequently,
everybody who could possibly manage to
gain admission was there.
When the prisoner was brought in there
was great flutter among the ladies', and
some of them even had the bad taste to pro-
duce opera glasses. Brian noticed this, and
he flushed up to tac roots CT his fair hair. for
he fe.t his '!eH". dstimt Il ';ltely lie w&s an
intensely proud LIt.-l, a;!d to be placed Id tic
criminal dock, with lot of frivolous people,
who had called themselves his friends, look
ing at him as though he were q new actor or
wild animal, was calling in the extreme
He was dressed in black, and looked pale aud
wan, but all the ladies declared that he was
as good looking as ever, and they were sure
he was innocent
The jury was sworn in, and the crown
prosecutor arose to deliver his opening ad
dress.
He gave rapid sketch of the crime, which
was merely q repetitic of what had been
published in the newspapers, and then pro
ceeded to enumerate the witnesses who could
prove the prisoner guilty. He would cell
the landlady Of the deceased to show that il,
blood existed between the prisoner and the
murdered man, and that the accused had
called on the deceased week prior to the
committal of the crime and threatened his
life. There was great excitement at this,
and several ladies decided, on the spur Of
the moment, that the horrid man was
guilty. but the majority of the female
spectators still refused to believe in the
guilt Of such a good looking young
fellow.) He would call witness who could
prove that Whyte was drunk ON the night Of
the murder, and went along Russell street, in
the direction Of Collins street; the cabman
Royston could swear to the fact that the
prisoner had hailed the cab, and after geing
away for short time returned and entered
the cab with the deceased. He would also