Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-05-20
A STUDY IN
SOCIOLOGY
Continued from, page 8

sink and dart across it, vanishing into nothing
ness. Candida amused himself by blowing
millions of them into eternity He was just
like that Out of the black, into the warm
sun for a little while, and then-poufI
There was a tremendous scuffling of feet
beside him, and the jury rose and filed out
The noise brought him back out of his dream
to the realities again. They were going away
bowed solemnly to the retreating foreman,
Again the fierce chill of overwhelming animal
fear seized him. An officer approached.
Die! Madonna! He could not pass into the
black ike the notes, he could not! And he was
yet unshriveni With his frail little BODY
vibrating like a framework of slender steel,
he turned and faced the officer, painting with
fear, his eyes darting fire.
All, come alongl" growled the attendant
raising his hand to seize him by the arm.
" cannot die unshriven!" shrieked Candida
and flung himself furiously upon the officer
biting, kicking, scratching, until nearly faint
ing from his parOXysm OF terror and in a half
coma of exhaustion, he allowed himself to be
carried away by three burly Irishmen.
Bring up the defendant" directed the
court. The jury were already in and waiting
for the prisoner. The Italians had all been
hustled out into the corridor. His honor
had no mind for any sort of demonstration
The light still poured through the great win
dows, and the sky was a deep sunny blue over
the Tombs. Resisting, clutching at sills and
carried in and held bodily at the bar.
" Jurors, look upon the defendant. Defend
ant, look upon the jurors. How say YOU, do
YOU find the defendant guilty or not guilty.
asked the clerk grandioquently.
Not guilty" answered the foreman dis
tinctly, and with shade of defiance in his
voice.
Listen to your verdict as it stands re-
corded, " continued the clerk unaffected. you
find the defendant not guilty, and so say YOU
all"
Any other charges against the prisoner"
inquired his honor.
Not yet" replied the assistant with sar-
casm.
Suddenly Candida began again. Madonna
Save me! | confess that | killed Beppe, my
countryman-"
The bhurcated interpreter iabbered furouslv
at him. An expression of dumb anazement
overspread his dusty little face.
You are free, acquitted, discharged; YOU
may return to your homei' announced the
beard dramatically, waving hand in the direc-
ton OF the door The officers lowered him
slowly to his feet Candida picked up his hat.
AFFECT wonder was painted upon his coun-
tenance. He gazed from the Judge to the
jury, and back again to the prosecutor
Mad onna! am pardoned for killing
Beppe? 0 Guidiei, | kiss your hands" He
seized that OF the interpreter and devoured it
with kisses. Then with smile he added
All you see could not but kill hini He had
ruin d my homel He had deprived me Of
honor :"
The attendants faced him toward the door,
and he started slowly away; but before he had
taken half dozen steps he caught sight of
the waiting Maria. His face changed Once
more he turned to the interpreter and NUT
tered something beneath his breath
He says" translated the interpreter
turning to the court. that he would ike to
have the pistol"