Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1897-02-01
CHAPTER XIV.
THE CRIMINAL COURT.

CHAPTER AIN.
THE CRIMINAL COURT
We reached Charing Cross at 4 o'clock
on the morning of September 20. The
first train by which we could set 10
'Fewnham Was timed to leave Liverpool
street ut Z, so that we had an hour or
two to spare for such refreshment as
we cared to take, such rest as we dared
to allow ourselves. What with the
fatigue of continuous travel, and the
forth. it may be easily believed that we
were thoroughly worn out. We were,
indeed, more fitted to go to bed and sleep
for Il week, than to proceed upon the last
stage of our dismal journey.
But there was no help for It, Ii We
meant to be in time we must go on by
the early morning train. | begged my
wife to lie down and endeavor TO snatch
an hours sleep. She refused, firmly.
Much of that calm which had character
the fatal news to her had VAN
ished. Its place was now taken
by an excitement, suppressed, but never
tEeless clearly manifest to my eyes. The
fear that we should not reach Tewnham
in time for the trial seemed to haunt
she so peremptorily refused to lie down
and court sleep. She feared lest. our
eyes once closed, we should, from sheer
exhaustion, sleep for hours, and so miss
the morning train. She was ever pictur-
ing the horror Of that poor unknown
mans being led from the dock, with the
death sentence ringing in his ear.
So the time which elapsed before we
started for Tewnham we spent in the
hotel ] bespoke rooms by telegram, sent
when we reached Folkestone We made
an apology for a meal; in fact, what we
could get at that time of night was of
itself little more than apology. We sat
all but silent, watching the hands of the
clock, which told us how fast the
precious moments were passing away.
We saw the gray morning struggle with,
and at last conquer the yellow gas
light. We heard the hum of traffic grow
ing louder and louder in the streets be-
low us. Then we turned to make what
may be rightly called our last adiells
Who could say that today my wife and [
might not be parted forever?
While at the hotel tried to obtain the
file of the Times. / wanted to look
back and see if / could find the account
of magisterial proceedings against this
unlucky William Evans. He must, of
course, have appeared before the lesser
tribunal, and could | see the account of
his appearance, / should be able to Judge
AS to the strength of the case against
him: But the file was not forthcoming.
Perhaps it did not exist perhaps the
sleepy-eyed Teutonic waiter did not I'M
derstand what / wanted; so, still in the
dark as to why suspicion should have
fallen upon this innocent man. we left
the hotel and drove to Liberty Street
station.
At o'clock our journey was ended.
We stood on the platform of Tewnham
railway station. My poor wife wore a
thick, black veil, SO her face l could not
see; but ! knew it was as pale as death.
Now and again her hand, which rested
on my arm, pressed it convulsively l
think we were the most unhappy pair on
the earth!
We were even denied the time for any
more farewells or expressed regrets
the hour was Ginning from the old
courts, | knew, always began at 10
O'Clock, and considering the crowd
which would most surely be at
tractcd by so interesting case
as this trial for murder committed
SO many months ago, | felt sure that I'M
less we proceeded at once to the Shire
hail. our chance Of gaining entrance
would be but Il small one. | hailed one
OF the close cabs which were waiting out
side the station.
AS l did so | felt heavy hand laid
upon my shoulder, and heard a rich,
notwithstanding, and not unfamiliar
voice exclaim, Basil North, as I'm "a
siIner!'
That anyone should at this moment ad-
dress Basil North in merry way
StGlIIcQ al IOSllINe IncODSrulCy. l. turned
round almost angrily. and found myself
face to face with an old friend. He was
barrister, named Grant; Il man four
OF hive years my senior, but one with
whom. before | fOreSWOre the society of
my fellow men, | had been on intimate
terms. | had not seen him for a con-
siderable time; but had heard, casually,
that he was making great strides in his
forensic career.
In spite of my distress, I returned his
greeting. and grasped his. hand warmly.
After all it seemed a relief to find that [
had a friend left in the world
What brings you here?" | asked.
THE only thing that could bring me
TO such a place-circuit work. | have an
important case on today. That's the
one. One is tempted to spend the nights
in town. which means getting up at an
mholy hour in the morning. But you!
Why are you here? | heard you were
as rich as Midas, and living abroad in
luxury
Il have been abroad for some time. l
hope to go back again very soon.'
Happy man!' he calculated. / could
scarcely keep the bitter smile from my
lips, as | thought how i'll applied were
his words.
AS he spoke he glanced at Philippa.
whose grace and beauty of form defed
the cOncealment attempted by thick veil
and somber garments.
But what brings you to this sleepy old
town. continued Grant.
l hesitated q moment. Then, thinking
that truth. or at least half truth, was
the best. told him l had come down to
witness the trial for murder.
Il should doubt your getting into
court" he said. The morbid interest
excited around about here is. L am
told, very great. The sheriff is be
sieged by applications for tickets"
Couldn't you help me? The fact is,