Nelson Chronicle, Colne Observer, and Clitheroe Division News. — 1899-06-16 (Nelson, Lancashire, England)

SAYE HIM. bathed her tired eyes and aching head, exA murmur runs through the court-room—a changes her dusty dress for a soft black and law murmur which is quickly subdued, as the white sateen, then she seats herself at the open judge, with a look of intense surprise flashing window to wait for what is to come. over his calm, impassive features, turns to the She has not long to wait. She hears the white-faced, trembling girl. sound of wheels, then silence settles down— "Do you comprehend—are you fully ewers silencebroken by a bustle in the entrance hall, of the importance of what you are saying, Mho light footsteps coming up the staircase, Blanche's high-pitched voice informing her Erlescourt?" he asks, a little huskiness creep mother that "t liank goodness it is over, and big into his magisterial voice in spite of hink self. ;hey are still alive!" Caryl bows her bead upon the broad winCaryl bows her head for an instant, then tir low-sill, and a slight shiver runs over her. it goes again with a haughty little gesture. Where is it all to end ? That she is in the "1 understand, sir ; I think I fully realize alack books of the whole Erlescourt family what I am saying. I am upon oath, your honour." seems inevitable. Yet she has only done her The judge bites his stern lip to suppress lay, so she assures herself. What if she had a smile which is about to creep into existenes not found courage to come foward!" If she there. i nad not dared to—to save this man for another "Are you aware," he continues, calmly, his I woman's love, where would Jack Darrell— eyes still fixed upon the elite lily face, -‘ that 4tutny-faced, handsome Jack Darrell—be now? ' ---- if the prisoner can prove • alibi lie will In the coudennied cell. And she would know a be exonerated—set free? Ye; know the meaning ill the time that a few words from her lips— of the word alibi ?" Ind the sacrifice of herself—would have saved llt is Caryl's turn to smile now. an innocent man. "I do, your honour. Alibi means elsewhere. "I have done right !#slie cries, decideely,her eyes kindling as she faces the situaJack—Mr. Darrell—was elsewhere at the time and if it can be proved beyond a doubt that !tan. "I have done right; and let them do ond say what they please, they cannot change that the awful deed was committed, he will be that!. exonerated. But suppose he, being guiltless Tap-tap at the door of the room. all the time, should be unable to prove an 081 ' Caryl starts, and a deadly pallor overspreads it would be a horrible injustice to punish him her face. Why, sir, if he were to be condemned—to—to .. Come in!" she calls, tremulously. the gallows"—stopping short to choke down ! the lump in her throat which impedes utter- The door swings open and a servant apance—" it would be legalized murder ! " I pears. I There is a faint though speedily suppressed "If you please, miss, you're to go downstairs burst of applause from the further corner of —to master. He is in the study. You know the little room where he smokes and reads:- He the crowded court-room. The judge tries hard to look unconcerned, but somehow makes a says to come immediately. Caryl inclines her head with a dignified Failure of it. He is humane, and lie realizes little gesture, secretly resenting the message that the girl, in hex ignorant honesty, has and the tone in which it is delivered. The door touched upon one of the most perplexing pro- 1 closes, and the slow footsteps of the servant are blems of the age. I heard descending the stairs. Then Caryl starts "And do you realize, my child," continues .0 t her feet. the judge, slowly, "that by your confession you I "1 will not be ordered about in such a lashare compromising yourself by—" Jack Darrell starts to his feet pallid and bit!" she pants, angrily. "Uncle Stephen trembling. i owes me courtesy before his servants, and I , "Your honour, I beg your pardon, but I raust shall exact it too !"1 All the antagonism in the girl's nature is speak. This is terrible! Do as you please with aroused. She will not obey this tyrant, lady's name out of discussion. I woul me, but for Heaven's sake keep this young She draws her chair up to the window and ' , rather be executed for acrime that' never