Page:The traitor; a story of the fall of the invisible empire (IA traitorstoryoffa00dixo).pdf/343

 verdict of his condemnation fall from the thick protruding lips of a flat-nosed Negro:

"We finds de prisoner guilty!"

"So say you all gentlemen?" asked the clerk.

And in response each black spindle-shanked juror shambled to his feet and answered:

"Guilty!"

The last name called was the little white Scalawag's, whose weak voice squeaked an echo:

"Guilty."

The Judge imposed a fine of one thousand dollars and sentenced John Graham to five years imprisonment at hard labour in the United States penitentiary at Albany, New York.

A low moan from Stella, and her head sank in voiceless anguish.

To the brave and the proud there are visions darker than death.

John Graham saw this as he was led from the court room back to jail—the vision of the hideous leprous shame of a convict's suit of stripes!