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The last day of Skinner's trial found Tessibel taking her lonely way toward town She was going for Daddy Skinner--to bring hih the ragged curtain still flapped its tatters over a dirtyand the cobwebs hung listlessly from Daddy Skinner's unused net But Tess had done her best, and her heart sang with delightful expectancy as she neared the dangerous open trestle which spanned the Hoghole gorge
When she turned into town, herDaddy triuh the row of squatter huts, lead hiination played with the scene: Frederick the student would see her; he would know that together they had saved the dearest life ever given into the hands of a jury
Up the snow-covered street, through Dewitt park, and Into the little lane she tramped Here Tessibel halted The court-room was so crowded that an overflow of htly buttoned, stood listening for the words that would satisfy their de from the courtof Daddy's enemies could shake her faith in the student's word Twelve jurors sat in their chairs, but a useless set of men, for a unanimous ban of death had been pronounced upon the fisherman before any one of the jury had taken the oath Some of the evidence did not reach their ears for they were thinking of other things--the man of two humps was as far away from their ho the trial the prisoner had remained silent in his chair, with a stolidity that aroused no sympathy for hie; and but once, when Tess was being ned by Dominie Graves, did the bible-back rise and fall as if the heart beneath were beating wildly Skinner had not been allowed to testify in his own defense, and, knowing the futility of it, he had not insisted upon speaking
His attorney made a few feeble remarks which, because of the speaker's indifference and his disbelief in his client, fell without effect The prosecuting attorney took but tenthe jury that they knew their duty too well for him to attempt to instruct them "But," said he, "I will add one word of your own convictions These people have infested our beautiful city, sapping its life like a great pest The law is nothing to theentlemen of the jury, of which they stand in awe, and it is in your hands to give the they fear is--the rope"