The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1845-05-02
OL.V.-NO. 46.

reflection put it away, and that now
do not wish it. I was thinking I might
die soon'-Anne shuddered. for the day
appointed for the execution was very
near. Clayton understood her thoughts.
No ! no ! Anne, not that way. shall
never be executed. Have l not told
you have conferred with my counsel
and all is weH, yes yell, Anne. Now are
you satisfied 2
But your request, Williams! 'Oh,
it was only this. that if you should out
live me, before you die you would wit
ness to my innocence, and leave it that
the truth might be known when it could
do no harm to any one. Blu, am asha.
med now of having thought about it and
would forget it. 1t was so careless of
your name, Anne, bu, had friends, and
feared more for them than for myself.
But after all, what is the good or evil
opinion Of man Nothing nothing!'
For few moments he seemed lost in
musing. and Anne dared not in,errup, him.
At length he said, 'wha, is the evening,
Anne, is it pleasant! have been think
ing should like to see the star light
again so YOU will William-but
wha. is your plan with your counsel!'
said Anne, one dreadful thought still up.
Permost in her mind. Have not told
you that all is well settled 2 Ha!' and
he laughed strangely, do sou think l
will tell it. to have it all spoiled! No,
| know better than that, Anne. Trust
me with my own affairs! Will you dear!'
She made no reply. There was some
thing strangely fierce in his manner,
which alarmed her-her eyes srake what
her tongue refused TO utter, and Clayton
understood her.
DO not be little simple,on, Anne
What! Tears! DO you think could
dream of killing myself, with your love
and my good counsel TO stand by me
Besides, how could do it! You see l
have not even string or nail. | wanted
some frui, to-day and the stupid Jailor
would not trust me with knife 10 eat il.
not even fruit knife you know could
not cut my throat with that, but he relu-
sed f; and yet the fool did not think to
search my bed, to see what goods and
chattels my predecessor might have left /!
Now call that downright stupidity,
Anne =
A knock a, the door announced thai
the hour for locking the cells had arrived.
The time had fled swiftly with the low.
ers, and Anne could not bear 10 90 out, in
her present state Of mind. But she must
yield TO necessity. A few reflections,
however, banishcd the idea OF his suicide.
for she knew how carefully sentenced
criminals were guarded. and, as he said,
that there was nothing in his cell TO ena-
bic him TO do ii, even if he wished. But
his wild, unusual manner, and mysterious
language forced upon her the conviction
tina, lis mind was giving way, and that
he would escape the scailold 10 be ma
MAC for life.
A second knock, hurried farewell,
and the turnkey entered as Anne went
out. lie examined the dress Of the pri.
soncr, carefully scrulinized the cell, and
finding nothing suspicious, spoke few
words in a kind voice TO Clayton regar-
ding his comfort during the night, and
was answered as kindly. The turnkey
then retired, carefully securing the en-
| trance.
Clayton was alone, and sat where the
ailor had left him, until the cells were
all quiet, and the clock had struck twice
after midnight. Clayton the rose, and az
ter searching sometime among the straw
of his bed, went towards the grated win
dows that admitted the light Of the entry
lamp, and examined small knife that hc
held in his hand, speaking TO himself,
'ay, ay. the fools did not suspect this
| thank my predecessor, but he little
thought he was hiding this knife for me;
he had some purpose of his own TO ac-
compish with it, but it was hidden for
me Not very sharp passing his finger
ovel Dc edge, but twill do-only wants
more resolution
The gentle, tranquil night! how much
of horror and misery her bright calm eyes
look down upon with an unshuddcring
smile Guilt, covering, and guilt BIAS
phoming-remorse with sleepless pang.
Misfortune, dreading tomorrow grief.
by The dead, and for the living inno-
ccnce, maddened by circumstance into
crime-all ,hese-and more-,hose star
ry eyes behold, with the same unvarying
tranquility. as year after year passes on
his solemn march.
When the jailor entered the cell of
Clayton, in the morning, he was laying