Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1891-03-28

Ten o'clock had come; so had the
court; so had the public in numbers
largely increased. In Central City it
was generally understood that on this
day the proceedings would be brought
to close. The case for the government
would be concluded by the evidence of
Mr.. AbramS-when he arrived-and by
the exhibition of the books of the late
concern of Braine & Co. The defence
really had not a leg to stand on Every
body in the enterprising community had
been assured of this fact by the repeated
assertions of Mr.. Schonberg and the
oracular announcements of the press;
and it was the popular belief that all the
unfortunate officer could do would be to
assail the integrity of the witnesses,
which attempt would be utterly over
thrown by the vigilant prosecutor, who
would then conclude by a scathing re-
view of the evidence, after which the
court would promptly adjudge him
guilty and sentence him to be stripped
of his uniform and drummed out forth
with.
Probably half the populace that
thronged the court room that bright
June morning fully expected before re-
turning to their homes to see an army
lieutenant degraded of his rank and
thrust forth from the reservation at the
points of the bayonets of the garrison
Dozens there We're who knew better; but
community reared on the pap Of sensa-
tionalism, as supplied by the modern
press, could not accept the mild and
moderate views of the minority as a pos
sibility.
''Ten-ffteen," said old Grace, thrust
ing his watch back into the breast of his
hot uniform coat, and looking about IN
some Impotence. What keeps LAWYER
Waiting for that Jew with his books
believe he's somewhere in that crowd
on the piazza. They say his newspaper
man hasn't turned up yet; but l wish
you would call the court to order. and
give him rap for delaying matters
''Ah! another bus load from town, ="
said the president, as there entered at
the moment party of ladies, escorted
by the sandy haired judge advocate him
self. All around the room the benches
were occupied, but behind this party
came two or three soldiers carving
chairs, and, much to the disgust of Mrs
Brodie and Mrs. Graves, who had OBJ
tanned with party of their friends the
front row nearest the table of the &C
cused, these chairs were planted before
them and their view was cut off by the
households OF some of the prominent
business men of Central City So closely
did they surround Mr.. Hearn that he
drew his seat trifle nearer to that of
the judge advocate.
There was little more space ON the
other side of the table, where the CORE
spondents were, but they seemed to pre-
fer not to crowd these gentlemen. and
nobody, of course, would think of in
truding between them and the court.
1t WAS almost half after 10 when a
soldier made his way through the throng,
and, saluting Lawler, said something in
low tone, at which the judge advocate
went over and whispered to Grace. A
moment later the burly form of Mai.
Kenyon was seen shouldering a way
through tie court room, while DR.. In
gersolIs specialized face appeared Just
behind him
Escorted by these gentlemen came
Mrs. Lane, fresh, smiling, nodding
cheerlly to acquaintance in the court
and around the room, looking cool and
radiant IN spring costume which at
tracted the instant attention of the la
dies and diverted their ewes from Miss
Marshall, whose simple but inexpensive
toilet was hardly worthy their glance,
while tn tho -1,a cp7,li-,o
standing it was every whit as lovely as
that of her friend and hostess. Behind
them all came Sam with four folding
chairs, and there being no other place
available the major promptly pumped
them down in front Of LAWYERS friends
and motiOned his party to seats Georgia
Marshalfs color deepened, as any one
| who looked might see, for the chair tC
which she was assigned was so close tC
that of Hearn that b. simply putting
| forth her hand she could have touched
| his sleeve.
His back was to the door and he had
| not seen them enter, yet at the percepti
BILE hush that fell upon the chatter Of
! the feminine spectators he knew who
must be coming and his pale face bright
ened with sudden smile us. turning, III
saw her almost at his elbow. Mrs. Lane
nodded thrice, looking brightly and IL
tectionatelyin his eyes, before she tool
her seat, just as though her efforts vrer,
to show all the throng that The womeI
of the army held him guiltless But
Georgia Marshalrs eyes We're hidden fol
a moment behind their dropping lids. L
was not until after she was seated and 1
| glance around had told her that the gazt
of all women was still on the lovely toile
that Mabel wore. that she stole sudder
look at him and met the brave light il
his wan face.
ssGood morning." he whispered. g
had not looked for ANYTHING half a.