The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-07-29
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By FERGUS W. HUME
CHAPTER XVII.
THE TRIAL.

tmillionaire had maintained a most friendly
attitude towards Brian throughout the whole
affair. He refused 10 believe him guilty, and
when Cation told him of the defense OF
iproving an abb by means of Sal Rawlins,
he Immediately offered n large reward,
which was enough in itself 10 set every
person with any time on their hands
hunting for the missing witness. All Aus
itralia and New Zealand rang with the OK
tremely plebcian name Of Sal Rawlins, the
lpapers being full Of notices Offering rewards
and handblls Of staring red letters were
posted up in all railway stations NOtwith.
standing all this, Sal Rawlns was still I'M
discovered, and Cation, 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 a judicial crime
to be committed as tho murder of an limo
cent man. she declared.
Mr.. Cation, TO whom she said this, shook
his head doubtfuy. Good has permitted il
to take place BEFORE" he answered softly,
''and we can only judge the future by the
past"
I AT last, the day Of the long expected trial
came, and as Cation sat in his Office looking
over his brief, a clerk entered and told him
Mr.. Frettby and his daughter wished TO see
him. When they came in the barristcr 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 III court dnring
Fitzgerald's trial, and nothing can say will
dissuade her"
Cation turned, and looked at the girl in .
Some surprise.
"Yes!n she answered, meeting his look
steadily, though her face was very pale II
must be there. / shall go mad with anxiety
unless know how the trial goes on"
"But think Of the disagrceablo amount Of
attention you will attract" urged the
lawyer.
"No one will recognize me-" she said
calmly" 81 am very plainly dressed, and
will wear this veil" and, drawing ono from
her pocket, she went over to a small looking
glass which was hanging on the wall and tied
it on her face.
Cation looked in perplexed mannerat Mr.
Frettlby
"'m afraid you must consent" he said.
every we'll" replied the other, almost
sternly. while a look of annoyance passed
over his face Il viii leave her in youl
charge
"And YOU"
'Tm 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 | sympathizc
with him Goo1day;' and with curt nod
he took his leave.
When the door closed on her father, Madge
placed her hand on Cations arm.
"Any hope?' she whispered, looking at him !
through the black veil
"The merest 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 Il doomed man"
Madge fell on her knees with stined 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 convulsvely, as the lawyer touched her
lightly ON the shoulder.
girl you were, AMI We may save him yet ,
The hour Is darkest before the dawn, YOU ,
know ,
Madgo dried her tears and followed the
lawyer 10 the cab, which was waiting for ,
them at the door They drove quickly up To
tho court, and Cation put her III quiet
place, where she could see the dock and yet d
be unobserved 10y 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" =
Cation nodded and hurried away to put on
his wig and gown, while Madge looked hur.
riedly round the court from her point OF :
vantage. 1t was crowded with fashionable
Melbourne Of both sexes, and they were all {
talking together i'll subducd 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 tc
gain admission was there
When the prisoner was brought in there
was great flutter among tue ladies' and |
eOulc VI tutHu even Hiu tic Ddt t,tSIe 10
duce opera glasses. Brian noticed this, and
he flushed up to the roots of his fair hair, for {
he felt his degradation acutely. He was an !
proud man, and 10 be placed in the !
criminal dock, with a lot of frivolous people L
who had called themselves his friends look
ing at him as though be were new actor or
a wild animal, was CALLING in the extreme
He vas dressed in black, and looked pale and q
wan, but all the ladies declared that lie was l
Us good looking as ever, and they were sure l
he was innocent
The jury was sworn in, and the crown c
prosecutor arose TO deliver his opening adj [
dress Il
lie gave rapid sketch Of the crime, which G
was merely a repetition Of what had beer d
published III the newspapers, and then pro v
ceeded TO enumerate the witnesses who could h
prove tho prisoner guilty. He would call C
tho landlady Of the deceased To show that il q
blood existed between the prisoner and the Il
murdered man and that tho accused had a
called on the deceased n week prior TO the V
commttal of the crime and threatened hi, 1
life. There was great excitement at this 4
and several ladies decided, on the SOUR OF q