The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1870-03-24

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He turned and grappled with me
but when he saw who had come upon
him, stood quite still. -.
GLOW did You come here% he
asked.
Il have been locked in" I said.
e oh, Ben! BeniD -.
Come he said, trying to laugh
"what does it matter2 I'm going to
marry Grace next week. The money
will be hers. I'm in difficulties, Jack.
I owe five thousand dollars-debts of
honor, AMI other things. Be q good
fellow. Clear out, and say nothing.
Help yourself to the governors money
/ give you leave, I've only taken
enough for the debt" a...4F ,,-ry
@Don't insult mel" I said. .I1l
not bear that" .,f...f.f ~,
g What. are you going to do?" he
asked, hoarsely: If You expose me,
III use my pistals4 have one here.
Your 1ifewilln mot be safe IL you call for
help, and I'm more than Your match
in strength, as you know ~ -o;4,,,
aYou may kill me, Ben," I said :
but you'll bring detection on your
self. You deserve that richly; but
you have been my friend for many
years. I've loved you as . brother ;
and Grace is to be your wife. Restore
that money to the safe, and I win say
nothing Of this; I promise you that
Ben. ..t.-.t z-..-s..-f,.,4
BY Heaven! / can't" he said. 81
must have the money! mnsti I'm
desperate, Jack" 17:esM.4.5l,,
az shall not let you rob Mr.. Claus
sen."' 1 said. sMy life is not such a
very precious thing. Give me that
money" -, .i..s,i.g
He had turned a white face towards
the door as. ! spoke; and as ! ceased,
he suddenly took the roll of notes
from his breast, crammed. them into
my hands, and fed p ~ ~. 49,. -
Surprised at this sudden surren.
der, stood clutching the money in
my fingers and staring after him, when
another figure darkened the door
and policeman stood before me
You can guess the rest, l was arrested
for burglary" .a.-sr -,
There was every proof against me
My assertion that I had found q bur.
glar at the safe, and taken tho none,
from him, was regarded as an absurd
falsehood. l would not betray Ben
jamin for the sake. of our. old friend
ship, and for the sake of his betrothed
I kept the secret. I almost hoped
that he would not let me suffer in hi
crime but he remained silent through
out the trial. 1 heard Of his wedding
and of the departure ON bridal tour
and I said, God keep Grace from eve
knowing this-and God forgive Ben
jamin.' - =. = &
After that went as the law or
dalned, TO live for years an outcas
from the society of honest men, seeing
only felons and jailors-knowing my
self scorned by the people T most re
spected-knowing that never while.
| lived coul9sI be restored to my for
mer place in the world, or in tn
hearts of those who had been m,
friends" ..-f....Io ...,o- s.tl.is a.s.,es
G So it has proved. You know wha
my life has been. Yet if I had mad
Grace happy, 1 should have felt tina
all was well" 4etva5-ses ae f,45fss M
"Then she was not happy" I said
The dying man gave me look tina
l shall never forget. ode 47ststf
;. When I was free again. he said
ga great longing urged upon me to Sc
Benjamin again. / thought that he q
least knew of my innocence, and Q
the sacrifice I had made for him. III
was rich man now living in q hand
some country-seat some miles fror
town. Thither went one evening
and found him in his study. He knew
me, but he did not even give me hi
hand. He offered me money. di
not take it I could not, to save my
self from starving. And he told m
that it was best that q man who ha
been where j had been should nc
come to his house again. g.eu adj ~
i 81 shall not trouble you," I sai6
"But you know, you Of all men, VIII
have borne such ignominy for 8
many years. I'll, qs,4gssI rf VI
aI know nothing" he said. ou'y
no right to say that / know anything
deny it. Goodnight" IaJ W
$50 the door closed upon me. "
went away through the long gree
garden. At its gate 8 woman wa
standing /; she turned towards me-. I
the moonlight saw.a wan worn fac,
but knew it was what Grace,s hs
i faded to. ia. J.gaeoll5 ,rcgzf ala ag
"She called nae by name-sJacI
Harrison'-and put her hands .upo
my arm." .,.,a...,.F
There we stood face to face. ,a,e
You've come back" she said. -
Not to trouble you," 1 answered
Her hand closed ON mine. 5gd
Jack" she said, q woman canno
be a mans wife without learning hin
Off by heart. There's mystery be
tween you two. He fears, you; vii
; you tell me why ?" aIyy ssa- ba5
No." said. "No, Grace Red
burn" $50 gee 4io...
"She clutched me tighter" Bra
, It's just as well" she said.
| know you were innocent. l know it
l did not then. I've come at the trut
somehow. As far as I 60 you ar
avenged. Tilted you for handsom
man, and I've found out that his hear
: is the heart of Satan. Oh, what o lif
| T.