Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1904-09-01

J scrupuous enemies"
could you not get me some station
where might look upon my father UNI
seen by him."
Seats in the hall are not to be
| picked or chosen. If place can be
come by it will be because some person
| who thought to attend cannot be pres
! ent."
"Do you think that where there are
so many faces Il chance recognition IS
possible? should he but an atom IN
the multitude."
"Doubtlcss his seeing you is most I'M
likely shall do my best for you,
md hope to obtain an entrance for to-
morrow
And so il came about that frances
was one of the fashionable audience
next day. occupying the place of lady
who had attended the trial from the
first. but was now tired Of it,
The girl listened to the hum of con
vcrsaton going on round her and
caught understandable scraps OF it
now and then. She was in an entirely
new atmosphere, for here every one
seemed in favor of STAFFORD. thought
him badly used and was certain he
would emerge triumphant from the or
deal. Then let his enemies beware.
Feminine opinion was unanimous that
all those who were concerned i'll TINS
trial against his lordship would bitter
" regret the day they had taken such
action The spirits of Frances rose
f,1t~a i.t1 hi - IN.
fdence by which she was cnvironed
had its inspiring effect on her deprcSs-
ed mind. She no longer thought the
gathering lpartlcssly frivolous, rs at
first she had rescntfully estimated it.
She was in the midst of enthusiastic
champions Of her father and realized
now as never before the great part he
played in the world.
Suddenly there was movement in
the upper part Of the hall and lords
and commons filed in to their places.
A silence fell on the audience, main
tanned also in dignitied state by the
Judges. but to the section occupied by
the commons was transferred the rus
tie of talk which had previously dis
turbcd the stiffness of the auditorium.
Men hustled about. whispering to this
member of parliament or that, Papers
and notes were exchanged, while by
contrast their lordships seemed like in
animate statues.
Once again the center of attention
changed The hall resounded with the
measured tramp of armed men. Two
rows of soldiers took their stand oppo-
site each other, leaving a clear passage
between, and slowly up this passage,
with four secretaries and some half
dozen others behind him, came bowed
and pallid figure dressed in black, a
single decoration relieving the somber-
ness of his costume, which hung, loose
" uniting, about a frame that had
become gaunt since its wear began
That is the Earl OF STAFFORD" whis-
pered the lady on the right, but the re-
mark fell upon christening ears How
changed he was. otrace now of that
arrogance of which she had caught
chance gimpscs during her brief ac-
quaintance with him; IA broken man
who had but a short time to live. what
ever might be the verdict Of this court.
Sentence Of death was already passed
on him by higher tribunal, and all
this convention might do was to fore
stall its execution.
He stood in his place for moment
and bowed to his Judges but gave no
sign that he had knowledge of the eX-
istence of his accusers, and the girl
began to doubt if the old arrogance
had, after all, entirely departed from
him. Then, leaning heavily on the arm
of one of his secretaries, he sank into
his seat and closed his eyes as if the
short walk from the barge TO the hal
Of judgment had been too much fOl
him As he sat thus there stole dcWr
TO him a boy leading two children
StraffOrd's eyes opened and he smiled
wanly upon them, put an arm arount
the boys neck and fondled the girls tC
his knee. both Of whom were weeping
quietly.
who who are those" gasped Fran
ccS yet knowing while she asked. and
feeling a pang, half Jealousy, half pain
That she must hold aloOf unnoticed.
They are his son and his two daugh
ters The third daughter is not here.
"Ihc third" she cried in surprise
"Docs he then acknowledge 4 third 2
The third is an infant too young &c
know what is going on. Hush, We
must not talk"
The girls cagerness fell away from
her, she rcclincd back in her seat ant
sighed deeply. The prclminarics OF
the day passed her like a dream, fol
she knew nothing of the procedure, bu
AT last her attention was aroused, fol-
she SAW Ler father on his feet, and be
fore she was aware he began TO speak
the voice ut first cold and calm, pene
trating the remOtest corner of that vas
room, in argument that even She reCog
nizcd ms clear. logical and diSpasSiOne,
as if he We're setting forth the case o
another. He was listened to with tn
most profound respect 10y enemies an,
friends alike He seemed TO brusl
away the charges against him as |
they were very cObwebs of accusation
As he went on he warmed more L
his theme, and by and by the girl, lean
ing intently forward. drinking in ever
word. knew that she was listening [
oratory such as had never before greet