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

4
of the lower class, often the depraVed,
the dsbased and the ignorant, who were
commonly considered the enemies of So
ciety. But here was an officer in his
Majesty's service, whose associations had
been with the best people IN Essex. to be
tried for a murder charged to have been
committed under such circumstances and
with such plotting and deliberatiOn, as to
evidence a cruelty that criminal annals
had not yet shown.
The excitement increased. A mild IN
terest was aroused BY the story Of Blanche
PembrOke's answering faith In the ac-
cused, and her abandonment Of a luxu-
rlOus and aristOcratic home to be near
him; but the prevalent feeling among the
people was a desire to look at the man
who had done the things that it was
charged Captain CouTtenay had done.
On some days, even before the trial be-
gan, Chelmsford was crowded with men
and women who came in and hung about
the jail, eager to get peep at the pris-
oner. Not only were they the common.
people, but ladies and gentlemen sWeIled
the number, and pushed and elbowed with
the others.
Captain Courtenay's regiment had en-
barked for India. It was said-and many
believed the repOrt-that the Colonel
wished to have him cashiered at once, be-
fore he had been condemned, and when all
the presumptiOns Of the law were in favor.
OF his innocence.
This was but one specimen of the
heartless Indifference to the fate Of a
brave and accomplished officer that was
exhibited at that time; but the Honorable
AigernOn Desmond and other sprigs Of
the aristCcracy were pressing for promo
ton, and the hateful spirit Of kicking
man when he is down, old as the world,
was again eXempEfed.
After the few officers of the departing
regiment who still believed in their com
rade, and hoped for his deIiVerance, had
hidden him an affecting farewell, there
were very few left to befriend him. Who,
indeed, but Blanche, the good Mrs. Gray
son, and his hired advocate?
Without saying anything of his inten-
tiOns, the latter had determined to have
an interview with Sir Roger Pembroke,
and try to enlist him in the desperate
cause Of his client.
The advocate was man Of large ac-
quaintance, as we'll as influence, and was
we'll known to the barOnet He was cor
daily received at the Villa, and, being a
bachelor and in the line of promotion TO
the nobility and a judgeship, Miss Isabel
treated him as graciOusly as did her
father. But the mention of his errand
instantly cast chill over both.
The person you mention Is nothing
whatever to me" replied the Baronet.
Excuse me, Sir Roger; he has been
something to you, and believe you to be
too generous and chiValrOus a man to.
wholly desert Captain C0urtenay when
he is surely in need of your friend
ship. Your admirable daughter, Miss
Blanche"
DO not mention her, sir! She has.
chosen for herself, and must abide by her
choice. She also is nothing to mel"
You shock and distress me, said Mr..
LasceQe. Miss Isabel, will not you
speak for this man-fOr your own sister,"
Sir Roger has uttered my sentiments"
was her reply.
The advocate rose to go, politely con
cealing his anger and irritation.
Il regret to refuse you anything" said
the barOnet, alphabetically. But if I
were inclined to manifest any sympathy
in public way-and I certainly am not
Il suppose 1t would do no good The
felIOw-that is, Captain COurtenaY-is
sure to be convicted, if One-half that I
hear of the shocking case is true"
q will not deny" said Mr.. Laseelle,
seriously, that a very strong case is to be
made out against him. and have frankly
told him so. But 7 have hopes. The
case is weak in at least one Important
point, and I shall labor in his defense
with my whole heart. The discouraPing
thing is that public sentiment is con-
demning him in advance. The admins
| tratiOn Of our criminal law is not what it
ought to be, and juries are too much
au6CB6u DN an universe puD1lG opinion.
Do you not see, Sir Roger, that II you,
we'll known as you are, should visit the
Captain, express your sympathy, and
| boldly declare to those you converse with
/ that YOU do not believe him guilty, it
would powerfully cheek this current of
! hostile feelIng?"
THAT might be, sir; but I shall not do
| as you request. I don't choose to have
my name mixed up with those of men
! indicted for crime, and I'm not in the
/ habit of visiting jails. IF any other rea-
/ son were necessary, may say that 1 be-
! lieve this man guilty of the murder.
At Chelmsford on the following day,
/ the lawyer visited his client. Blanche
/ and Mrs. Grayson we're present, and dur
! ing the talk that followed it came out
| that Mr.. LascelIe had been to PEMBROKE
Villa.
1T was kind of you, sir, said Blanche;
! Z" butI could have told you in advance that
your eTrand would result in no good.
/ You got not so much as a word Of kind
ness for him-Or for me.
The lawyer shook his head.
The Captains courage bore up wonder
fully; but there were times when his
/ heart failed him in view Of his awful
/ position.
The whole world is against mel" he
| passionately cried.
Blanche went to him and laid her hand
/ on his shoulder.
Not oil Of it, Ralph, she softly said.
He looked up to her steadfast face
90, my darling" he cried. Ito What
wretchedhess am I booming you? You
have sacrificed everything for me-home
father, sister, friends. And because yOU
cling to me in these dark hours the
/ miserable rabble out in the common jail
/ there, and upon the street, too, as hear
make your name a bywOrd, and uttel
coarse jests-the vile wretches when yoU
come IN here to visit me-"
She looked calmly at his face, culver
ing with emotion.
Il never will desert you. Ralph, she
answered. They may say what they
Will.
The good Quakeress came and spoke
few words to them in q low voice. The