Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1869-02-02

Sarah hurried through the corridor,
endeavoring to hear as little as pos
sible of the unfeeling brute's conver-
sation, and reached. her home and
children to pray and hope.
The hours sped on and it lacked
one day more of the execution.
Fletcher had given up all hope OF
deliverance or reprieve, and listened
to the building of the scafold with
sullen feeling born of despair.
I've brought another gal to see
you this time, Fletcher. It's very
probable that she won't be quite so
agreeable-like as t'other one, butll do
you quite as much good, | reck'nf
And woman in black stood be-
fore the iron bed on which Fletcher
reclined.
He Immediately recognized Mrs.
Lancaster, the wife OF the murdered
man.
Aye, this does me good, said she,
advancing step nearer, and shaking
her clenched fist in his face.
1t don't pay to take tellow-crea-
lures life, does it? Don't speak to
me, you villain-don't dare to open
your mouth! | came here to gloat
over your misery. To see how the
prospect of leaving your wife and
babies affected youl Oh, you trem-
BILE? | have found the tender chord.
My husbands wife and children were
nothing-oh, no! Wretch! villain !!
May the law be fully justified
And the woman, to all appearance
exasperated beyond the power of fur
ther endurance, stepped little closer
and with sly movement, hid one Of
her gloves under the pillow of the
bewildered man.
Have you finished, ma am p inquir-
ed the turnkey with his hand On the
door. Now, Fletcher, don't you
rather prefer an interview of this
kind to one of those lallygagging sort
you've had so many of lately? Twill
do you more good-ten to one. What
you doing now?'
Giving him one more last look,
that is all. Murder robber wretch
want to engrave his picture on my
brain so indellibly that | may never
forget single feature
By the crown your old man must
have had a Tartar? Oh, no, ho J and
the turnkey shook his fat sides with
laughter. i don't believe he's got it
much hotter where he's staying now
than be had it with you. 1t takes
women to use up the Kings English.
| always said so, now | know it.
Mrs. Lancaster drew her vail over
her face and quietly left the prison.
AS soon as he dared, with trem-
bling fingers, Lloyd drew forth the
glove. In it was a vial containing a
mixture of chloroform or ether, a
small sharp instrument to file the
shackles, and note. 1t read thus
You are not the man, and | can.
not allow you to be hung. Overpower
the keeper; take his clothes and leave.
Go to the old rookery, No. -, first
floor, where a disguise awaits you,
and then God help you, for you must
conceal yOursey.'
Lloyd, with a wildly beating heart,
concealed the articles and tried to
think. The keeper did not enter
his cell after he brought his tea, and
how could he accomplish his purpose
then? There would be too many astir
in the prison, and he might be de-
tected.
Defeated now with the weapons
of deliverance in my hands No. in
deed !! Lloyd Fletcher!
Fletcher, suppose you know that
according to prison rules you are not
|. allowed to stay alone tonight. II
J would be barbarous to leave teller
= without good company his last night
on earth,' said the turnkey, an houl
) or two after Mrs. Lancaster's visit
You'll have to take your pick atweer
l old Father Walsh and myself; bu
| suppose you'll take that old hypo
crite +?
Why can't l have my wife?' ask
/ ed Lloyd, with voice full of bitter
! ness.
1 ooh, wives amt allowable on sucl
} occasions. She'll be around in th
morning an hour or two, but tall
4 quick-which will you have?'
: What difference do you think i
makes to me, you hard-hearted wretcl
| who watches my last moments OF
i earth, when my only friend is denies
e me?'
r So it was arranged. The turnke,
was to occupy his cell, and Lloy'
: went to work with his little instru
4 ment to file the handouts and chail
which bound him. 1t was slow an,
L tedious, but in an hours time he ha'
i the satisfaction of one free hand, an,
the power to remove his hand fror
o the rattling, CALLING torments whic
e had so firmly held him.
q must be able to throw these fe1
ters entirely of, or I'm lost
n And so he worked away industr
e ously until the obstinate link was dis
placed and he could wear or leav
s. them at his pleasure.
IS Ten o'clock arrived, and the turf
IL key had his coat brought into th
r condemned cell.
when are you going to turn il
| Fletcher? I'm as tired as an Eas
d India niger. Plaguy afraid l shan
/! be much company tonight; better ha
s. the priest You wrote all your letter
yesterday, Fletcher, didn't you p an
le the keeper yawned deeply, turne
E. over once or twice, and in five mil
D. utes was snoring soundly.
s, Now is my time thought Fletche
20 1t won't do to wait. Heaven hel
% mer
s. Noiselesslv he stenDed from hi