Wentworth was placed in the prisoners'
stand and the charges preferred against her. In his usual style Mr.
Swartz proceeded to narrate his business connection with the accused,
and stated that he had done everything he possibly could for her, but
that, not satisfied with receiving his bounty, she had stolen his
money. His story was given in a conclusive and plausible manner, and
on his clerk certifying to what his employer had said, the chances for
the accused appeared very dim. What added more to the evidence against
her, was the conduct of Mr. Elder, who, rising from his seat briefly
stated that, from his intercourse with her, he believed Mrs. Wentworth
to be an unprincipled and dishonest woman.

"On what ground do you make that assertion, Mr. Elder?" enquired the
Judge.

"As I stated before, in my intercourse with her," he replied.

"And may I ask of what nature your intercourse was?" asked the Judge.

"It would delay the court were I to state what business transactions
have taken place between this woman and myself," answered Mr. Elder.
"When I arose, it was simply to state my belief in her dishonesty."

"You should have appeared on the witness' box, if you desired to give
evidence against the accused," remarked the Judge. "As it stands, your
assertions cannot be taken as evidence against her. If you desire to
appear as a witness for the accuser, say so, and I will then be
prepared to hear what you may have to say."

"I have no such desire," replied Mr. Elder, seating himself.

"And now my good woman," said the Judge, turning to Mrs. Wentworth,
who had remained a silent listener to all that had been said against
her, "let me know what you may have to say against the charges brought
against you. By your appearance and general demeanor you have seen
better days, and it is a source of regret that I should see any one
bearing evidence of once living in a different sphere from the one you
now occupy, brought before me on a charge of robbery. Let me now know
what you have to say on this charge."

"I can say nothing," she replied.

"Well, then, do you plead guilty, or not guilty?" asked the Judge.

"Not Guilty!" thundered Harry, in an excited manner. He had been
unavoidably delayed from accompanying Mrs. Wentworth to the Court
House, and had just arrived. "Not guilty! I repeat, and, as counsel
for the accused, I beg leave to make a few remarks."

"Certainly, Lieutenant Shackleford," answered the Judge, who kne