The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-06-02

with profound regret. OF course ne
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,
in fact, when the day of the trial ar
rived, Childe felt more than recon-
pensed for his journey in the thought
that the following day would see him
safe aboard 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 safe behind the desk.
Courage, Monsieur Childe," he
said. Tonight should see you a free
/ man."
The gendarmes led him under a
covered way into the court room. 1t
was little place, dingier than the
station house, and the Judge upon the
bench appeared an untrustworthy
person, in Childe's 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 ruffian. 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 APP
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.
81 can do no more for you. my
friend" explained his consul with
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.
81 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 apolCgized.
Good luck, my friend he cried
"You see, your sentence is arousln:
difficulties. The cost of importing
guillotine would be prohibitive. anf
the law does not permit us to seques
trate your money. Would you be will
ing to escape across the border to
night If your cell were unlocked?'
"Try me-" answered Childe.
At midnight the consul, at the Gel
door. thrust bundle of bills int
Childe's hand.
"A carriage waits" he said. "Yo'
| will reach Italy by five in the morn
ing. Here is your money. No THANKS
have done my duty"
i Childe set his foot on the step @
the carriage, which started on. II
: stumbled, fell. and felt himself clutter
ing at the earth.
Someone was lifting him. He opene
his eyes, to find himself still In tn
palm gardens. Dawn was in the SIX!
Beside him stood two gendarmes.
Monsieur has had an accident!
they inquired, not very sympathetica
ly. glancing at his clothes.
= Childe rose and shook himself. ID
plunged his hand into his pocket. h
p" brought out fifty francs, all he had
the world.
a "Why-l must have gone to slice
in the gardens" he muttered, turnin
away.
He walked rapidly into the town. =
~ the head Of the wharf, where II
u steamship office stood, he paused an
thought.
I'm mighty glad saved this
get home instead Of plunging at u
j.. Casino" he said cheerfully.