Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1890-02-07

agn6ds
Ralph Courtenay was conveyed to the
county Jail at Chelmsford, whence, in a
few days. he was taken before magistrate
to be examined. Here he was repre-
scented by counsel; but so strong a case
was made ont against him that he was
committed to Jail to await his trial at the
Essex Assizes, to be held at Chelmsford
the first Of November.
Prosperity makes friends; adversely
tries them. Most strikIngIy did Captain
COurtenay, standing now under. an in
dIctment for murder. have cause to verify
IN his own experience this proverb.
The newspapers of that day-the ga
Zettes, as they were ealled-Were few and
scanty of news. But Captain Courtenay's
case was briefly herald by them, far and
wide. The imperfect outline of the af-
fair given in them was usually summed
mp with an unfaVOrable opinion as to the
accused. 1t was asserted that the officers
of his regiment were not outspOken in the
avOWal Of his innocence.
And this was certainly true. Popular
among his set while fortune and pros
perity favored him, our hero was made to
feel with the utmost keenness the sting
of ingratitude and weak friendship, now
that he most needed friends. A few of
the subalterns, who loved him for his
sterling worth, and steadily refused to
believe in the dreadful charge against
him, stood stanchIy by him, visited him
in JAIL and gave him aid and comfort.
But the great majority Of his brother
officers refused to see him, and stood
coldly alOof in this time, when mere sym
pathy was golden.
"A demnitiOn awkward affair" Iisped
the Honorable AlgernOn Desmond,
Lieutenant of the same regiment. COur-
tenay is a good fellow; but they may
hang him, you know; and how awkward
it would be to know a fellow that was
hung! And then, you know, if he is
hung, it will make another vacancy for
one of US subs. o, yes; a bad easel"
The gaZettes also stated that the excel
lent matrimonial prospects of the accused
were summarily ended by this accusa-
ton, that his prospective father-in-law.
Sir RI Pc, had commanded that
the engagement be broken of, which
would doubtless be done.
It was not done. And this record,
which tells of mans endurance and suf-
fering, must speak also of WOman's tidel-
ity, and show how Blanche Pembroke
chung to the man she loved though home
and friends-aye, and at last, as it
seemed, the whole WOrld-rOse up against
him.
The first of November was fast APP
preaching; it was now the middle of
October. Blanche, pale and thin, but
bearing up herOically against her crush
| ing sorrow, was one aftern Don summoned
! by her father to the library. She found
him there, and Isabel, cold and scOrnful.
My child, began the baronet, with
| kindness in his voice which he no doubt
/ felt 1T has become necessary for US to
/ talk plainly to you about this distressin
| affair of Captain Courtenay. I had hoped
/ that you would have seen, long ere this,
| the prOpriety of sundeTing all relations
! with him. But I have learned, and q
| glance at Isabel showed the source of his
! information, that you are regularly ex-
| changing letters with that mana man
! under accusation of murder, in Chelms-
/ ford jail, and shortly to be tried for his
/ life. Is this true?"
Her eyes were dOwncast; she was col
/ Letting strength for her trial, now before
! her. But she bowed assent.
Is it indeed SOP" exclaimed the barO-
| net, sternly. 4 command you to cease
! this disgra ceful correspondence at once.
I order you to stop all communication
/ with that man, instantly. Will you obey
me?"
She raised her eyes, and looked from
! sneering sister to passionate father.
He is my betrOthed," she said. He
/ has done nothing wrong He could not
/ commit a crime! I Will cleave to him. "
Il believe him guilty, on what I have
heard, " said Sir Roger, succeeding for the
| moment in smOtherlng his temper.
Whether he is or not, has nothing to do
with the treatment that you must give
| him. I do not choose that the afhanced
| of my daughter shall be locked up in the
public Jail, charged with crime. Just
that is a disgrace which cannot tolerate.
I command you to give him up"
Father, / cannOt!"
He looked at her; he almost Quailed
before the indOmitable spirit that famed
in her eyes.
Isabel came behind him and placed a
hand on his shoulder.
1T grieves me to see you so rebelliOus,
my child, continued the barOnet. But
you give me no choice. Our ancient
name shall not be sullied in this way,
with my consent. Give him up, or you
must leave this roof"
Had the brave girl, in her own mind
put this terrible alter native before her
self weeks before? Had she deliberately
made her choice, schooling herself FOL
this cruel scene? So it must have been
else her decision could not have beer
made upon the instant.
Farewell, then, fatheri" she said. q
shall think Of you only with kindness
Isabel, may Heaven pardon you for YOU
hard heart. Some day you will both re
gret this hour"
! She turned to leave the room.
"StOp!" cried the father, with agita
: ton. Where do you gO?"
TO ChelmsfOrd-tO him"
And there she went. The stage tool
her and her trunk to the county sea
that afternoon. At the turn of the rOaC
she casta last look back upon the villa
! the place of her birth, the beautiful HON
of her childhood and maidenhoOd. Tear
filed her eyes at the thought, Il shall
I never look upon it again.
All, sweet heroine! patient, cOurageOu
One-yOu little knew the vast posslblIltle
= ! of the future!
! CHAPTER XI.
AT THE MOUTH OF THE PIT.
With a distant relative of her mother a
Chelmsford, benevolent Quakeress VIII