Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1903-08-19
CHAPTER XIX.

F
Ever SINCE my arrival at the house /
had been looking eagerly for some sign
of Madeline Graham but she had not
appeared While / sat apart, however.
George Redrnth entered the room, ind
after CHANGING at me, addressed me:
This is bad business, Trelawuey,' he
said. looking very pale and agitated.
LET me tell you, however" he contin.
ned. 'that ugly as the evidence looks
against you, | hope that you'H succeed in
proving your ina5esace at the trial.
haven't much cause to lore you, and poor
johnson had still less; but upon my word,
I believe you incapable Of such a crime
as this.
Thank yoti. sir / replied. trembling,
for ! could have borne his anger or i'm
difference better than his sympathy.
Yoa AZ least do me that justice!'
He nodded assent, and was about to
say something more when there was the
rustic Of 4 dress behind him, and with a
quick start, snd a sharp pain At the
heart. 1 saw siadeaaa standing in the
xsanE The sight Sst her was almost more
than / could bear; | shook like a leaf,
and ny eyes filed with tears. The next
snoment she stepped forward with an
EAAtE cry VI tttokilAiNis AH1 1oAH houAN
satsiretehing. Then, seeing that | was
hsndeIifed. she uttered another cry--of
grief 4ynd pain.
'Madeline!!s cried her cousin. warning
~. but she paid n attention. | had
turned my head away, too ashamed to
meet her gaze. but | felt. rather than
saw, that she was gazing tenderly into
amy face.
When she spoke. her voice was broken
and fearful
Mr.. Trelawney. may | speak to youl
May | ten you how my heart aches and
bleeds for sou. in your great trouble
May | assure you how deeply | believe
as atl who know you must belieye-in
your innocence Of such a crimeT'
l turned my head and looked at her,
my head swan. and she tears so blinded
me that | could not see her.
God bless ven for saying thatl7 l.
murmused, and as I spokhs, she lifted
sny two bound hands ahd held them gent
~ in her own.
+ could not believe that any one
would think IL possible she said. II
would have come before. bur waited, en-
posting TO sec you set at liberty. But
noN I hear sou a.e TO be put upon yaur
trial! All. do not fear. Have courage
Your innocenrs ny be proved. and you
will s0ea - a free man."
Perltape. | answered but whether
or no., h is something to know that my
inaseense is believed in by yout'
How could | doubt it7 Dear Mr..
rreiaw1iey, / know you better even than
you know yourself. No proof, however
terrible. could shake my faith In one
whom | knew 10 be the brayest and best
Of men one who Is incapable Of any base
ness one to whom. remember, | owe my
Tfe.s
Don't mind me. Miss Graham. I
shan COME through this trouble right
enough. perhaps; and, whatever happens,
| shan't forget your goodness. I cared
for no one's good opinion but yours. I'm
mot the first innocent man, by many, who
has bad 10 face an unjust accusation.
aud answer Il with his life: and what
you have said 70 me win give me courage,
perhaps, 70 bear the sorrow that's to
et3me.
Before I realized what she was doing
she had taken my hands again. had rails
I'd them to her lips and kissed them.
Don't don'tls | cried. half sobhing.
Z cant bear il! Here, lads, take me
away
wise him kindly" sDe cried, weeping.
and addressing the officers, "Remem-
hor, he Is a gentleman. aud falsely ac-
-ca$ed'
vDott he afraid, my lady said the
man who had previously spoken. wen
look after him"
And Mr.. Trelawney-4Iear friend
de not think that, though we part now.
i ssali be idle. | am rich, remember.
aud whatever money can do for your de-
fense shall be done BY me. 1t IS 4 poor
return. indeed, for the life YOU gave me.
Keep 4 geod heart Think that you have
friends working for you. praying for
you! Think that the happy time will
soon come when you will be free again
81 rethrn 10 those you love. who love you,
and who viii love you the better for o
trouble bravely borue.'
Is the rapture Of that moment I could
have caught her in ms arms. but | was
helpless and perhaps 1t was better So.
-tieatIy, but firmly, the oficers led me
from the room. and along the passage 10
the door. where The dog-eart was walt.
ing. There was a crowd about the door
steps. and when | appeared there was
a sympathetic murmur.
Our way back las past the old cot
rage. Quitting the gates Of the great
house, aud leaving the dark avenue be-
hind us, we ratified swiftly aiopg the
country road. The horse. being home
ward bound. whlrled us along at full
speed. As we approached the dear cid
cottage, ] craned ny neck round to look
al il. the next moment we dashed past
81. but in that moment | caught the
glimpse Of q CHASTITY white face looking
out of one Of the lower windows.
Il was the face Of my uncle. john Pen.
sdraEonl As we passed, he seemed to
give q Wild start Of recognition.
Then. looking back. | saw. before we
we're hfty yards away. a figure. Wild and
half dressed, running cut across the gar
den to the gate. and locking after US
1T was my uncle. He seemed dazed and
~stnpehed. As we disappeared round a
burning ~ the road, I fancie5 I caught
she sound Of a sharp cry. and slmuita-
n.oasly | saw him throw his ;wo arms
wildly up into the zR!
CHAPTER NX.
Tie Assizes came on some ak weeks
after the date Of the inquest. aud in the
4utertm | found that my darling did not
fail 10 keep her word. A frm Of solicit
asss. Instructed by her. undertook my de.
Tense. and though | at 6rSt. out Of me-
fises OF pri6e, declined their good Offices,