The state republican. (Jefferson City, Mo.) 1871-1896, 1895-05-09

o
and jury, to a man whom they both
knew to be absolutely innocent of
the fearful crime for which he had
been condemned to stand his trial.
Lady Gertrude had begged very
hard to be allowed to accompany Sir
Clement, but neither he nor DIR.
Watson would hear of such a thing.
This melancholy satisfaction being
denied her, she asked Lisbeth, who
would, of course, be present, to
keep a watch over Sir Clement, lest
the excitement and worry should
make him i'll.
Lisbeth promised to do this. Did
she need the telling? she wondered.
Would her eyes during all that
dreadful day be ever removed from
his face2
1t was n drive OF six miles to the
town where the assizes were held.
Lisbeth and Sir Clement we're to go
together in the close carriage. This
was Lady Gertrude's arrangement,
which Lisbeth had strenuously
opposed, but the mistress of Aboyne
Court would take no refusal. She
said that she must have her way,
and that they would be less observed
than in an open carriage, and since
she could not think of allowing Lis
beth to go by herself, who was a
filter individual to accompany her
than Sir Clement?
They were compelled to give in,
or to seem to do so, for both natur-
ally felt how entirely contrary to the
fitness of things would be such an
arrival at the court. Lady Gertrude
was satisfied, and the difficulty was
overcome by a seat being offered to
DR.. Watson, whose presence at the
trial was necessary.
Little did the %garrulous doctor
guess of what service his chatter
was to the two beings whose rela-
tons of late had become so painfully
strained. He tried to make himself
even more than usually amusing and
communicative, because he knew
that the spirits of both these inter-
ested individuals must necessarily be
depressed, but he had no idea of the
gulf that lay between them, or the
good little doctor would have been
positively appalled, at finding himself
in such company.
At last the dreary drive came to
an end, and they arrived at the
AssiZe Court.
Sir Clement was offered a seat
near the Judge, but he refused it,
saying he preferred to remain with
the other witnesses, an answer which
rather surprised Lisbeth, as she did
not until then know that Sir Clement
intended to appear as a witness, and
what he would say it puzzled her to
think. AT last all connected with
the trial were assembled, and jim
Glendinning was brought into the
dock between two warders.
Sir Clement had not seen him since
the night of the supper at Coleshill,
and he was forcibly struck by the
mans changed appearance.
His eyes were sunk into his head,
mis- face had heightened and whit
ened. y change which penal servi-
tude for attempted burglary had not
effected, this horrible charge Of
murder had brought about.
What had occasioned it? Not
remorse, since the man, blackguard
though people thought him, was
absolutely innocent of this crime.
The explanation of his changed
appearance was terror; this Clement
Dunraven was compelled to recog-
nize, and his feelings when he saw
jim G%lendinning were of so conflict.
ing a nature as to be indefinable.
That he, who little more than a
year ago prided himself that he
would not willingly hurt a fly, should
have brought sorrow and trouble on
so many people through one false
step was incomprehensible. IL was
beyond his W power to grasp that
he, Clement Dunraven, reputed to
be a good man and a popular mem
Der of society, should be such a
villain! Why did he not stand up
now and proclaim aloud:
"This man is innocent! ! alone
am guilty. pushed my cousin into
the water because he irritated me
beyond human endurance"
He half rose with this intention,
but courage failed him, and he sank
back trembling and half fainting on
his seat.
Lisbeth, though her heart was pal
plating wildly, was drawer than he.
The sight of her fathers changed
appearance stirred all her flial affec.
tions. She was white as death as
she whispered to Clement:
"Control yourself and be a man.
Wait with patience for the verdict"
"The verdict" he answered. "Do
you think he will be condemned?'
"Be silent for Lady Gertrude's
sake" was her only reply.
Then there was again silence
between them for a long space.