The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1906-07-10
Ce1yriSbL 1908. by
Frederick II. SfokeJ Co.

she knew nothing of the procedure, but
at last her attention was aroused, for
she saw her father on his feet, and be-
fore she was aware he began to speak,
the voice at first cold and calm, pene-
trating the remOtest corner of that vast
room. in argument that even she recog-
niZed as clear, logical and dispassioned
as if he were setting forth the case of
another He was listened to with the
most profound respect by enemies and
friends alike. He seemed to brush
away the charges against him as if
they were very cobwebs of accusation.
AS he went on he warmed more to
his theme, and by and by the girl, lean
ing intently forward, drinking in every
word knew that she was listening to
oratory such as had never before greet
ed the ears of England and probably
never would again. A breathless ten
sion held the audience spellbound, and
it seemed impossible that his direSt
foe could remain unmoved. The belief
in his acquittal now became a certainty
and it was every moment more and
more evident that this acquittal would
also be a triumph.
The speaker went on to his perora-
ton. And now, my lords, l thank
God | have been, by his blessing, suf-
ticiently instructed in the extreme van
ity of all temporal enjoyments, COM
pared to the Importance of our eternal
duration. And so, my lords, even SO,
with all humility and with all tran
Quillity of mind, l submit clearly and
freely TO your judgments. And wheth-
er that righteous doom shall be to life
or death, l shall repose myself, full of
gratitude and confidence, in the arms
of the Great Author of my existence"
On none of the vast visible thrOng
had the effective Grafton exercised
greater power than upon an unseen
listener. The awed stiffness was sud
denly broken by splintering crash,
and the startled audience, looking up,
saw the frail latticework of the al
cove shattered, and the king standing
there like a ghost Unframed by jagged
laths Stern determine ton sat on that
handsome cOuntenance; look which
said as plainly as words, This man
shall not diev' His hands clutched the
broken framework beneath him, and he
moistened his lips as if to give utter
ance to the words his expression fore
shadowed. But before he could speak,
a tall, angular figure sprang out from
among the commons and held up
sinewy hand. His face was ablaze
with anger; his stentorian voice domi-
mated the hall, envenomed with hatred,
ct ri with terror does
roar of tiger.
THE might of England, in parliament
assembled, gives judgment untram-
meled and unafraid. The king is not
here. The king cannot be here. The
throne is vacant and must remain va
cant until justice is done"
AS the last words rang out, the long
index finger, shaken menacingly. point
ed at the empty chair. There was de-
fiance of king or minister in words and
tone and gesture, a challenge to the
throne The pale face of the king be-
came CHASTITY white his hand trembled
and fragments Of the latticework fell
from beneath it. IrresolutiOn took the
place of former determination, and he
glanced pitifully from right to left as
if seeking human support, of which,
in the amazed stillnCos. there was no
indication. Then the fine white hand
of an unseen woman showed for mo-
ment on his arm like a snowflake, and
Charles, with one look of haunting
compassion on the prisoner, disappear
ed from sight. The phantom picture
had vanished from it's ragged frame
without Il sound and blank darkness
occupied its place Truly the king was
not present. conjured away by the
strenuous hand of the fierce combat
ant on the stage and the soft hand Of
the woman behind the scenes.
"Who is that MANI" whispered Fran
ces, gazing in frightened fascination on
the rude interrupter.
THAT is John Ppm, the chief prose
cutor and deadly personal enemy Of
Lord Sratford.'
AS the girl gazed at this dominating
individuality all the froth of confidence
in her fathers acquittal, whipped up
by the chatter of conversation at the
beginning, evaporated. There stood the
personified hatred of England against
the Earl of STAFFORD. No wavering in
accent or action there but q determined
man, knowing what he wanted and
bent on having it. To her excited
Imagination the reSolute face took on
the semblance of Il death mask, and the
clinched hand seemed to grasp the
shaft Of an Ak. 1t was as If the heads
man had suddenly stood forth and
claimed his own, and a chill as of the
grave swept over the audience with a
shudder in its wake.
A low wailing cry went sobbing
across the silence, cry that tugged at
Strafford's heart when he heard it.
What memory did it stir in his trou-
bled mind? y "Reminiscences of some
thing that had escaped him. crowded
out by matters of more pressing mo-
ment.
What is that?'' he asked anxiously.
'It is nothing, my lord" answered
Vollins, stepping between his master
and the commotion among the women.
"a lady has tainted. that is all. They
are taking her OUT
CHAPTER VII.
- nee out in the open air. Fran
ces Wentworth came again
into control of herself aSham-