Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-05-27


Without waiting for the tremulous
negative on my aunt's lips, he continued:
" 4 can elicit nothing from the prisoner,
but she steadily repeats when 1ues-
toned, i know nothing Of French
woman and nothing Of murder, and
once she said, Send for my father, and
then correcting herself hastily. But
not would kill him 10 find me here j
SO she refuses her address. We have
advertised, Of course, though she does
not seem 10 soc the necessity OF account
ing for her presence in this nelghpor-
hood"
"Then, interrupted my aunt, "you
think as we do that il is impossible this
poor young lady can be really guilty"
But the Rev. Edward Holdfast had not
been chaplain of jail without learning
how to keep bis own counsel
at is not for me 10 pronounce any
opinion. but" he continued, liam sure
neither you nor your neice Will refuse
what assistance you can render to LADY
of delicate nurture hike yourselves, who,
il innocent should be spared the hor-
rors Of q public trial OF this kind"
We secretly questioned the legality Of
Mr.. Roldiast's inquiry. still more so its
efficacy. But not daring to entangle
herself in arguments OF legal nature,
nv aunt wisely acquiesced, and pro-
missed TO appear on the following day at
tho hath-house. This really was very
brave of her, all things considered, but
the appeal 10 her humanity had con-
Guered, / thought ] could form no salts
factory conclusion ~ 10 Mr.. Hold
iast's intentions. The idea of a sui-
eide had been fatty contradicted
by medical evidence at the coro-
ner's inquest it had been clearly
proved impossible for such a cash TO
have been inflicted by the woman her
self. Perhaps Mr.. Holdfast doubted
this. and wanted by examination OF tho
place to prove the contrary but this
could certainly have been done without
our assistance. Did he wish TO watch
the effect of the terror Of the place
on some other person no suspected Z
There was something very unpleasant
in the thought OF assisting at such
q scene. did he hope that the prison
er's 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
miudsof those who would have to witness
against her ? But no, it was idle to sur
mise the determined restraint and
silence, beyond Just what he had chosen
10 communicate, formed complete bar
rier to his intentions.
"She must DO bailed ont, " said my
aunt, "otherwise no one would allow
her to appear and who can have bailed
her except the Chaplain himself ?"
timidly suggested it was hardly q
bsillng matter.
"He seemed fearfully anxious for her
escape did you see how his face worked
and twitched lie was nearly flying
out ut mo when he thought | wouldn't
come. WAS too frightened to say no,
that Was the fact; not frightened, of
course, but it is awkward to have gen
tlernen getting into RACES in ones own
drawing-room."
"Yes, aunt, the china !"
"Dont talk nonsense, Elllce. It's
my impression, though you pretend no
wasn't excited, that if he can't hit on
plan Of clearing that young woman he'll
clope with her lie has pretty woman
in tragic circumstances on his hands,
and he means to save her somehow (;
what better method"
of he thinks her innocent" | reply,
rather staggered at my aunt's extraordi-
nary idea 1t was certainly true that no
had appeared terribly anxious, that he
had suppressed his anxiety with con-
s,ious effort he had the traces OF sleep
less nights and strong emotion on his
face but the fate Of human being'was
hanging IN the balance, and natural hui
mainly, Quickened by the sacred nature
of his Office, were enough, | thought, to
account for unusual feeling.
Don't tell me, continued my aunt,
"that if she were not pretty girl there
would be so much fuss IN that mans
mind it isn't his business to say who's
guilty aud who's not, and to my mind he
il very little fit to do either.
On tho afternoon of the day appointed
nv aunt and | found ourselves at the
Folly" We crossed the large central
room, originally designed for the pump
room, now used rs young mems insti-
tute, and well supplied with illustrated
papers of extreme antiquity. 1T opened
on an unroofed turf inclOsure, intended
rs an exercising ground for patients Oc-
cupied in assmilating the mineral wa
tiers, but il usually served as drying
ground for tho attendants linen. There
was no linen there to-day, however.
Instead were two benches accom-
modatilg tie already assembled wit
nesseS, and beyond vas the fatal bath
room. / hardly dared look toward It, 80
near was still the horror of the place.
We took our seats among mixed assem-
bly, of gaping farm-laborers, one or
two trsdesmen, and ladies'. There was a
conspicuous absence of any OF the gem
tlcrnen Of the neighborhood. Did Mr.
Holdiast fear that bis proceedings might
ba called in question Hardly any one
spoke beyond slight and almost inaudi-
bic greetings to their friends. The
clergyman stood near the entrance TO
the Enclosure, leaning against the pail
SADIE: no bowed his thanks for their at
tendance to those who came in. lie
looked more worn than ever in the glare
OF daylight.
There was moments pause after
every ono WAS seated then scross the
green Enclosure walked alone the till
figure Of 1.-THE accused" Without look
ing either TO tho right hand or TO the
left she sat down at the further end,
near the bath-house. There was no con-
scious shame visible on her still face; no
anxious gaze upon the faces OF those
who couli, perhaps, save or slay
her. With her hands tightly
clasped together, and her eyes
fixed on the ground, she sat
still as statue. Mr.. Holdlast left the
door and came towards us. then re-
marked another popularity of his. HIS
ewes, which were very deep set. seemed
to have the power of compromising a
whole scene and every individual IN 1T
at a glance One felt certain that had
he closed his eyes after an absolutely
momentary survey he could have dis