Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-06-10

'INELik,A, STANLEY-A oredf. hearted and
G,ssrs S1s ss ~iiS Ier. she becomes bs''is''
THE High Baliff Of Douglas held a
L court that day. The court house
was almost empty.
Not more than six or seven persons
sat in the places assigned to the public.
Three young reporters yawned over
their note. books in their box beside
the wall. In the we'll allotted to counsel
there were only two advocates in wig
and gown.
A few bare headed policemen stood
near the bench and the clerk of the
court sat under It. There was nobody
else in the court house except the High
Bniliff himself, an elderly man with a
red face and n benevolent expression.
He was trying a number Of petty
cascs, chiefly Of larceny and drunken.
ness. The light was low and the voices
echoed in the vacant chamber. But
from time to time deadened rumble
came from the streers outside - the
clang of horses hoofs, the derisive cries
Of crowd. the loud shout Of a com.
manding officer, and then scamper Of
feet that was like heavy ruin pelting
down on the pavement.
Behind the jury-box, which was
empty, there was a door that led to
the prison below. The last case was
being heard when this door was opened
and the chief constable came up into
court, followed by Stowell and a police
man. The chief constable took a seat
in the advocates well; Stowell and the
policeman sat on the public benches.
When the High Bailif, who was a
great respecter of authority, saw the
Deemster enter, he sent a policeman
to ask him to come up to q seat BY
his side on the bench, but Stowell
shook his head.
The case being tried was that Of a
farmer who was charged with driving
his country cart on the high road
without a stern light. The defense
was that the lamp was alight when he
left town, and had been put out by a
high wind that was blowing. or this
issue there was long questioning ana
cross questioning by the advocates
but at length the case came to close.
Half a crown and COSTS said the
High Bailiff; and then reaching over
to his clerk he asked If that was the
|
Eyes, your worship" said the
clerk. and the High Bailitf was push. i.
ing back his chair, when the chief
constable rose with an air Of impor-
tance.
Your worship, have serious
charge to make
He beckoned to the policeman at the
back, who opened the door OF the dock
and Stowell stepped into 1t.
II charge his Honor Deemster Vic.
tor StowelI, on his own confession. with
breaking prison on Sunday night last
between the hours of ten and twelve,
to effect the escape from custody of q
prisoner lying there under sentence OF
The High Bailiff seemed to be stupe:
fed and the charge had to be repeated
"Eh? What? God bless my soul !!
On his own confession. you say! Is
the Deemster well?' What conceivable
motive"
II will give formal evidence. your
worship, and ask for committal to
general eaol, when the question Of
motive will be fully gone into"
well, we'll! Good gracious me
II II must It must. 1t is my painful
duty to put the Deemster back for trial:
But l suggest that a doctor be asked
to see him Immediately. And mean
time" (the High Bailif turned to the
reporters, who were now busy enough
over their note .books), may request
the representatives Of the press to
publish nothing about this painful mat
It was ali over in a few minutes.
The door behind the jury.box was
opened again and Stowell and the
policeman returned to the cells.
In less than half hour the news
was all over the town. Special cdi-
tions of the newspapers (single sheets J
had been run of in furious haste, and
the newsboys were shouting through the
streets:
Arrest of Deemster Victor Stowel.
The news fell on the public like a
thunderbolt. 1t eclipsed their interest
in the soldiers.
Like lightning out Of thunder cloud
the news fell on Government House
also. On hearing 1t the Governor, who
had been thinking less about the riot
than about Stowell's last words to him,
broke into uncomfortable rage.
The fool! The internal fool! After
! had given him such chance, too!'
With a determined step he went into
the library. where Fenella was writing
letters, and broke the news to her with
n kind of fierce joy. AT first her eyes
filed with tears and then proud smile
shone through them.
"You were right after all, Fenella
! see now that you must throw the man
up" said the Governor.
"On the contrary" said Fenella
"Now ] must stand by him."
What on earth do you mean?'
II mean that Victor has justified
himself"
justified himself?"
Yes. The only thing was afraid
of was that he might take his life tc
escape from his dishonor. But now
that he has made his choice ! have made
mine also"
Your choice?'