Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-02-16

statements were lies. guessed we'll enough
how his enemies would heap proof upor
proof to bolster up his own brief COMES
sion.
His eminence had made a sworn state.
| ment that he heard angry voices 'twixt
Don Miguel and his grace some little TINS
before the marquis was found dead. Well
| that was true enough. There had beer
deadly quarrel. and though this did moi
aggravate the case. 1t helped to establish
sway the judges or If disbelief in Wessex's
guilt was too firmly rooted in the minds OF
| his peers
The indictment was a masterpiece: well
could be the solicitor general pride himself
on the perfection Of the document
dull oppressive silence had fallen upon
this vast concourse of people. Interest
| which was at fever pitch, had forcibly
to be kept in check. but now as the
clerks final words echoed feebly through
the vast hall. a great sigh OF eager ex.
| element rose from the entire multitude.
| Everything so far had been but prelimi-
nary. the somewhat dull. lengthy pro.
logue Of the coming palptating drama!
But at last the curtain was about to rise
on the first act. and the chief actor was
| ready to step upon the stage.
Already from afar loud murmurs and
excited cries proclaimed the approach OF
the prisoner.
He hath arrived from the tower "
whispered the prentices to one another
The distant mur7nurs grew in volume
then came nearer and nearer. All necks
| were craned to see the duke arrive. and
even the repeated calls Of the sergeant
alarms. demanding silence, were now
! left unheeded.
| ments and coniectures flew through the
crowd. Was not this the most interest
| ing moment of this interesting day?
How would he carry himself?"
"How would he look?'
! How doth a nobleman look when he
becomes felon?'
"Silence: Here they GOMEZ
The sergeant-at-arms once more stood
up before the people and loudly read the
proclamation. calling upon the lieutenant
cept and bring forth his prisoner.
This was responded to by a call OF
present" from outside. followed by a
loud tumult. The next moment the great
doors OF the hall were thrown open. six
| armed men entered and walked straight
up the center aisle toward the bar.
Behind them appeared the lieutenant
OF the tower of London with Lord Rich.
and between them was Robert D'Esclade,
1fth Duke Of Wessex. the prisoner.
Dressed all in black he looked distinctly
older than the crowd had remembrance
of him: sigh OF excited anticipation went
all along the line. a regular ''bousculade''
ensued: the people behind trying to catch
a nearer glimpse OF the duke and push
ins those who were in front The prem
tees. Who were saua;tins in the toremos,
rank on the ground. were vioientlXdSrked
forward some falling on their fasasSright
up against the lieutenant and my lord
Rich seeing which and the general ex-
cited confusion the duke was observed to
smile
woman in the crowd murnured
The Lord bless his handsome face
'sHeavenward your grace" added an
other.
The women's pity, and that onl: mo-
mentarly. And the awful publicity OF
it all! Among the men. wagers were
| offered and taken in his hearing as he
passed. whether sentence or death would
be passed on him or not.
will they hang him, think you?"
NO, no. it's always the axe for noble
lords, but they'll have him drawn and
qNartered for sure.
God help your grace" sighed the
women.
deadly was it's punishment now.
The crowd was not hostile. only in
different curious. eager to see. and every
remark made by these stolid gapers must
have cut the prisoner like a blow.
They watched him cross the entire
| length OF the hall. commenting on his ap-
pearance. his clothes. his past life; a
coarse lest even came to his ears now and
again, a laugh of derision or an exclama-
! ton OF satisfied envy.
Fallen Wessex indeed!
He tried with all his might not to show
what he felt. and evidently he succeeded
over WELL for Mr.. Thomas Norton. in his
comments on the trial. states placidly:
1.-The prisoner seemeth not to under
stand the gravity o! his position and
careth nouRht for the Nervousness OF his
crime. Truly this Indifference marketh
q goddess soul. or else the supreme con-
ceit OF wealth and high rank. he having
many friends among his peers and being
confident Of an acouittal.'
Lord Rich alone. who walked by the