The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1913-09-13 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

ALICJI AND CLAZDE ASKEW.  CHAPTER XXV.—(Continued.)  Besides, there was always the chance that the jury might be influenced by Felicity's youth and beauty, for the twelve pod men and true sitting in judgment on *no pale, frail girl might be moved to pity her In their hearts, and even to acquit her afEinst their sounder judgment, for men are prone to mercy where a woman is concerned. They might even disregard the judge's summing-up, the sumsuing-up which was certain to be against' the prisoner. lad if this happened—if by some marvAlous chance Felicity's acquittal was secured—why, then John Pleydell felt quite certain in the depths of his heart that he would be able to win her for his wife ultimately—that she would turn to him of her own accord presently—slip into the shelter of his willing arms. For he alone of all the world had stuck to her—had preferred his help. As for Anthony Masters, the young man whom Felicity had declared she loved— why, he had not taken a single step in her defence. He had not even written to i,er during the weary months that she had spent in prison—Pleydell had taken pains to acquaint himself of this fact. There was little doubt that young Mutees was congratulating himself that the atair between himself and Felicity clad come to an end before the proceedings we instituted against her—before she ins arrested and tried for murder.  Pleydell wondered what Felicity thought of Anthony's defection—if she took it much to heart—but he bold himself that It was all in his favour, for he, at all events, had protested his belief in Felicity's innocence, and she would remember this gratefully in the future. Yes, she would turn to him--ke was alisolutely convinced of that fact—once the gates of her prison had opened—once she had bet t freed from her bonds. Ann' even though a stigma might rest upon her name, what ifbuld that matter? They would leave England; they would make their home in the South—the warm, passionate South—the South with its scented olive gardens, its vineyards. Yes, they would buy some wonderful old palace in Italy, or a palace in Sicily, perhaps, and there they would settle down and make their home, leading the drowsy, happy life that the lotus-eaters lead—bring for to-day and the things of to-day. For they would be rich—very rich. They  would have the dead woman's money to • spend. and they would deny the:mselvea 10 pleasure that ton be bought with gold. They would live on the fat of the land; they would drink aid make merry.  Pleydell closed. his eyes drowsily.  Wl3 huddled up in the big armchair in -lig room—the great oak armchair with the  7 velvet oushiona and the heavy gold fringe,  awl he vaddenly began to feel sleepy; nor was this ao.uoh to wondered at, for he bad hardl y slept for over a week. Hia brain lad been working too feverishly to allow km to court repose.  A retitless impatience had consumed him —an impatient longing for Felicity's trial to commence—end the hours had lagged by ao slowly—so heavily. But now the trial was we;l on its way, and, strangely enough. Pleydell felt easier in his mind in consequence of this. It was better to know what was happening than to dream of what might happen. He dew a leng deep breath. Oh, it would be good to fall naleep—it would be good. But he would awake with a start