Waterbury evening Democrat., 1888-12-15
CHAPTER XVII.
THE TRIAL.

THE TRIAL.
 In spite of the utmost vigilance on the part of the police, and the offer of large reward both by Calton, on behalf of the accused, and by MT. Frettlby, the much de- sired Sal Rawlins still remained hidden. The millionaire had maintained most friendly attitude towards Brian throughout the whole affair. He refused to believe him guilty, and when Calton told him of the 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 un- 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.
 MT, Cation, 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 the future by the past"
 At last, the day of the long expected trial came, and as Calton sat in his office looking over his brief, a clerk entered and told him Mr. Frettlby and his daughter wished to sec him. When they came in the barrister saw the millionaire looked haggard and i'll, and there look of worry on his face.
 ':There is my daughter, Calton," 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."
 Calton turned, and looked at the girl in some surprise
 "Yesr' she answered, meeting his look steadily, though her face was very pale, II must be there. shall go mad with anxiety unless I 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; "I am very plainly dressed, and I 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 a perplexed manner at Mir. Frettlby.
 I'm afraid you must consent" he said. ''Very well," replied the other, almost sternly, while look of annoyance passed over his face. II will leave her in your 1 charge"
 ''And you9'
 'pm not coming" answered Frettlby, put ! ting on his hat 1T don't care about seeing 1 man whom have had at my dinner table in i the prisoners dock much as I sympathize with him. Good day;' and with curt nod he took his leave.
 When the door closed on her father, Madge | sIz. l. ToJ&o
 "Any hopeI' she whispered, looking at him through the black veil.
 ''The merest chance" answered Calton, putting his brief into his bag "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 Q stihed 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.
 "ComeT" be said, kindly. Be the brave girl you were an1 we may save him yet. The hour is darkest before the dawn, you know"
 Madge dried her tears andj 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 8 quiet place, where she could see the dock and yet be unobserved by the people in the body oi the court. Just as he was leaving her she touched his arm.
 "Tell him." she whispered, in trembling voice, ''tel my darling am here"
 Calton nodded and hurried away to put or his wig and gown, while Madge looked hur riedly round the court from her point ol vantage It was crowded with fashionable Melbourne of both sexes, and they were al talking together in subdued whispers. Tht popular character of the prisoner, his gooC 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 tt gain admission was there. When the prisoner was brought in ther'
 was Q great hutter among the ladies, ana some of them even had the bad taste to pro
 duce opera glasses. Brian noticed this, ana
 he flushed up to the roots of his fair hair, fo
 he felt his degradation acutely. He was al
 intensely proud man, and to be placed in tn criminal dock, with a lot of frivolous people who had called themselves his friends, look
 ing at him as though be were new actor O
 "AAO duA1I1S14s was SiAAAAAS AAA eiAo cAeA SAAAS
 He was dressed in black, and looked pale am wan, but all the ladies declared that he wa as good looking as ever, and they were sur he was innocent,
 The jury was sworn in, and the crow prosecutor arose to deliver his opening ad dress.
 , He gave O rapid sketch of the crime, whic was merely & repetition of what had bee
 published in the newspapers, and then pro ceeded to enumerate the witnesses who coul prove the prisoner guilty. He would ca the landlady of the deceased to show that
 blood existed between the prisoner and th : murdered man, and that the accused ha l called on the deceased a week prior to th t ! committal of the crime and threatened h , life. There was great excitement at thi r and several ladies decided, on the spur ( 9 the moment, that the horrid man WI 5 guilty, but the majority of tho fema