The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-05-27


stranger. My aunt could hardly be per-
suaded to see him, so certain did she feel
that his visit must be connected with this
disagreeable affair. For my own part l
was anxious to hear anything that would
throw light upon it. 'If he is" | said,
"he may perhaps see the uselessness OF
mixing US up in it. We had better see
him."
We found clergyman, Mr.. Edward
Holdfast, chaplain at WI jail, a tall,
thin man with worn but kindly face.
"You have come, hope, said my aunt,
ito set us free from the disagreeable and,
may say, absurd position in which we
find ourselves. / will not answer for the
consequence ii am taken to stulfy court
and made to say all sorts Of things, when
know nothing. My poor dear husband"
Quite SO, my dear madam" said Mr.
Holdfast; "the evidence is most unsatis-
factory, and l propose taking some steps
which may save-mind, | only say may
save, in the event of my experiment prov
ing successful-all necessity for public
trial. Could you make up your minds to
being present at q private examination OF
the witnesses and the prisoner, conducted
on the scene of the--the--at the bath
house?' Without waiting for the tremu-
lous negative on my aunps lips, he con-
tinued. 81 can elicit nothing from the
prisoner, but she steadily repeats when
questioned, Il knew nothing OF French
woman and nothing Of a murder, and once
she said, Send for my father, and then
correcting herself hastily-'But, mott
would kill him TO find me here!' So she
refuses her address. We have advertised,
OF course, though she does not seem TO see
the necessity OF accounting for her presence
in this neighborhood.
''Then," interrupted my aunt, lyon
think, as we do, that it is impossible this
poor young lady can be really guilty"
But the Rev. Edward Holdfast had not
been chaplain Of q Jail without learning
how to keep his own counsel.
ut is not for me TO pronounce any opin-
ion, but, he continued" lam sure neither
you'll nor your niece will refuse what as
sistance you can render 10 ladyof delicate
nurture like yourselves, who, Il innocent,
should be spared the horrors OF public
trial OF this kind"
We secretly questioned the legality Of
Mr.. Holdfast's inquiry, still more so its eff.
fcacy. But not daring to entange herself
in arguments Of legal nature, my aunt
wisely acquiesced and promised 30 appear
on the following day at the bath-housc
This really was very brave Of her, all things
considered, but the appeal to her humani-
ty had conquered, / thought. could
form no satisfactory conclusion Ms 10 Mr..
Holdfast's intentions. The idea OF sui
eide had been fatty contadicted by med
ical evidence at the coroner's in
quest; il had been clearly proved i'm
possible for such n cash 10 have been
inflicted by the woma" herself. Per-
haps Mr.. Holdiast doubted this and
wanted, by examination OF the place, TO
prove to the contrary; but this could GER
tainly have been done without our as
sistance. Did he wish 10 watch the effect
OF the terror OF the place on some other
person he suspected2 There was some
thing very unpleasant in the thought OF
assisting at such scene. Did he hope
that the prisoners unaccountable silence
might be broken, and that, face TO face
with the scene, she would continue a
denial that could not but carry conviction
into the minds OF those who would have TO
witness against herr But no, IL was idle
to surmisc; the determined restraint and
silence, beyond what he had chosen TO
communicate, formed a complete barrier
10 his intentions.
''She must be bailed out" said my
aunt, otherwise no one would allow hei
TO appear, and who can have bailed hei
except the chaplain himself"
timidly suggested that II was hardly q
bailing matter.
Gle seemed fearfully anxious for her es
cape; did you see how his face worked and
twitched7 lie was nearly flying out at me
when he thought wouldn't come. ! Wal
too frightened 10 say no; that was the fact;
not frightened, Of course. but tits awkward
10 have gentlemen getting into RACES In
ones own drawing-room."
Eyes, aunt, the chinal"
Don't talk nonsense, Ellice. It's my
impression, though you pretend he WASH
excited, that II he can't hit on plan o
clearing that young woman he'll elop,
with herl lie has pretty woman In tragi,
circumstances ON his hands, and lac mean
TO save her somehow; what better meth
cd"
"If he thinks her innocent" l reply
rather staggered at my aunts extraordinary
idea. II was certainly true that he hat
appeared terribly anxious, that he had sup
pressed his anxiety with conscious effort
ho had the traces OF sleepless nights and
strong emotion on his face, but the fate o.
human being was hanging in the balance
and natural humanity, quickened by the
sacred nature OF his Office, were enough,
thought, 10 account for unnatural feeling
Don't tell me-" continued my aunt
shat II she were not pretty girl ther,
would he 10 much fuss In that mans mind
| IA tanit his bnsincss 10 eay whose guilty AM
who's not, and TO my mind he Is very lii
tle III to do either"
On the afternoon Of the day appointed
my aunt and I found ourselves at tn
"folly." We crossed the large centra
room, originally designed for the pump
room, now used a. a young mems insti
tute, and well supplied with illustrate,
papers Of extreme antiquity. II opene,
ON an unrooied turf inclosurc, intended n
an exercising grounds for patients oocu
pied In aHsimilating the mineral waters
but Il usually served as drying ground 70
the attendants" linen. There was M
linen there today, however. Instead
were two benches accommodating the al
ready assembled witnesses, and beyon'
was the fatal bathroom. hardly dare
20 look toward II. 10 near WIS still tho hor
ror Of the place. We took our seat
among the mixed assembly Of gapin
farm laborcu, one or two tradcsmen an
ladies' There was a conspicuous absenc
, Of any Of the gentlemen OF the neighbor
hood. Did Mr.. Holdfast fear that his pro
cacdings might be called In question
Hardly any ono spoke beyond slight an
almost Inaudible greetings 20 their friend,
| Tl.a .fss,..,...a., .f.al ,...r gha aulraun. A.