Morris tribune., 1904-09-17

lAS LiCillLusiO.
DOUBTLESS his seeing you is most un-
likely. / shall do my best for you,
and hope to obtain an entrance Tor TO-
morrow"
And SO it came about that Frances
was one of the fashionable audience
next day. occupying the place OF a lady
who had attended the trial from the
first, but was now tired Of it.
The girl listened to the hum or con-
versation going on rou her ana
caught understandable scraps OF II
now and then. She was in an entlreiy
new atmosphere, for here every one
seemed in favor of Strafford, thought
him badly used and was certain ne
would emerge triumphant from the OF
deal. Then let his enemies beware!
Feminine opinion was unanimous tnat
all those who were concerned In thlS
trial against his lordShip would bitter
ly regret the day they had taken such
action The spirits of Frances rose
as she listened. The invariable con-
fidence by which she was envlroned
had it's inspiring effect on her depress-
ed mind. She no longer thought the
gathering heartlessly frivolous, as at
first she had resentfully estimated 1t.
She was in the midst Of enthusiastic
champions of her father and realized
now as never before the great part ne
played in the world.
Suddenly there was a 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 dignifed state by the
judges, but to the section occupied by
the commons was transferred the rus
tie of talk which had previously dis
turbed 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 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
ly uniting, about frame that had
become gaunt since its wear began.
''That is the Earl Of Straford," whis-
1n 1o1v 10 itrhf h11f 20
mark fell upon unlistening ears. How
he was! No trace now Of that
arrogance of which she had caught
chance glimpses during her brief ac-
quaintance with him; broken man
who had but short time to live, what
ever might be the verdict Of this court.
Sentence Of death was already passed
this convocation might do was to fore
stall it's execution.
He stood in his place for a moment,
and bowed to his judges, but gave no
sign that he had knowledge Of the ex-
stence of his accusers, and the girl
began to doubt if the old arrogance
lad, after all, entirely departed from
# one of his secretaries, he sank into
lis seat and closed his eyes as if the
hort walk from the barge to the hall
# judgment had been too much for
i'm. AS he sat thus there stole down
o him boy leading two children.
'trafford's eyes opened, and he smiled
vanly upon them, put an arm around
he boys neck and fondled the girls to
is knee, both of whom were weeping
uietly
"Who-who are those?" gasped Fran
es, yet knowing while she asked, and
ceiling pang. half jealousy, half pain,
nat she must hold aloof unnoticed.
"They are his son and his two daugh-
ers. The third daughter is not here"
"The third she cried in surprise.
Does he then acknowledge a thirdY'
'The third is an infant too young to,
now what is going on. Hush! We
lust not talk"
The girls eagerness fell away from
er; she reclined back in her seat and
ghed deeply. The preliminaries of
le day passed her like a dream, for
le knew nothing of the procedure. but
. last her attention was aroused. for
le saw her father on ais feet, and be-
re she was aware he began to speak,,
e voice at first cold and calm. pene-
ating the remotest corner of that vast
on, in argument that even she recog-
zed as clear, logical and dispassioned
if he were setting forth the case Of
lother. He was. listened to with the
ost profound respect by enemies and
lends alike. He seemed to brush
vay the charges against him as if
ey were very cobwebs of accusation.
As he went on he warmed more to
s theme, and by and by the girl. lean
g intently forward, drinking in every
ord. knew that she was listening to,
atory such as had never before greet
the ears of England and probably
yer would again. A breathless ten
IN held the audience spelibound, and
Snemad imnoSSilda faNt his dirast