The hummer. (Houston, Miss.) 1914-19??, 1915-05-28

with profound regret OF course he.
would do his best. but
The "but" meant a month Of wait
ing The only consolation which the
prisoner found was that his counsel
felt sure he would be acquitted. And.
10 fact when the day Of the trial arr
rived, Childe felt more than recon-
pensed for HIS journey IN the thought
that the following day would see him
safe aboard a Mediterranean steam
ship with his money in his pocket
The sergeant listened sympathetic
ally and permitted him to look at his
roll Of bills IN a safe behind the desk.
Courage. Monsieur Childe." be
said Tonight should see you a free
man."
The gendarmes led him under a
covered way into the court room. Il
was q little place, dingier than the
station house, and the Judge upon the
bench appeared an untrustworthy
person. in Childe'a view. He was ap-
parently chewing garlic, and he heard
the prosecutor, a gaunt man looking
like a bandit, with unpleasant nod
dings Of the head.
The. witnesses, consisting OF the
second rufian, and the wife and child
(female) Of the dead man, who
screamed for justice, did not add to
Childe's comfort. Worse still. his
consul, Signor MARITIME, put in an ap-
pearance only when the case for the
defense began.
The proceedings lasted two hours.
The Judge. without summing up. pro-
nounced a verdict Of guilty. Childe
was sentenced to be guillotined the
following month.
Il can do no more for you, my
friend" explained his consul with a
shrug But l will come and talk with
you tonight"
That night Childe, pacing his cell
like a maniac, received a visit from
the consul A movement was on foot,
he said, TO have the sentence com
muted to penal servitude for life.
Il suppose you scoundrels want my
money!" snarled Childe.
Monsieur Childe." replied the con-
sui, when you have offered an apol-
ogy, through the jailer, I will return
to you"
Five days later he came again.
Childe had apologized.
Good luck, my friend" he cried.
you see, your sentence Is arousing |
difficulties The cost OF importing a
guillOtine would be prohibitive, and |
the law does not permit us to seques-
trate your money. Would you be will
ing to escape across the border to-
night II your cell we're unlocked?"
"Try me-" answered Childe.
At midnight the consul, at the cell
door, thrust a bundle Of bills into
Childes hand.
"A carriage waits" he said you
viii reach Italy by five in the morn
Ing. Here is your money. No thanks. /
have done my duty"
Childe set his foot on the step Of
lAN GdAAAhEGg WHICH bAhAAbQ uus AAN
stumbled, fell, and felt himself clutch
Ing at the earth.
Someone was lifting him. He opened
bis eyes, to find himself still in the
palm gardens Dawn was in the sky.
Beside him stood two gendarmes
Monsieur has had an aocident?"
hey inquired, not very sympathetical-
y, glancing at his clothes
Childe rose and shook himself. He
plunged his hand into his pocket He
brought out nifty francs, all he had in
he world
Why must have gone to sleep
n the gardens" he muttered, turning
way.
He walked rapidly into the town. At
he head Of the wharf. where the
ONCE stood, he paused and
bought.
I'm mighty glad saved this to
ret home instead Of plunging at the
1aslno," he said cheerfully