Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1874-08-06

term OF years III prison 10 lililke rep
aration for the great wrong have
done that stricken family. Yes,
lilly, I am a changed man. But tell
me, what was the fate Of MIR. Weld
and Charlie Wilmot ? Are their lives
laid to my account? ? Were they
fatally injured ?"
"They are better, Fred, and though
they were seriously injured, their lives
are spared y
"God be thanked! Then | am not
a murderer"
"No, your hands are free from that
stain. But | have a friend here at the
door, who wishes to speak with you,
Frank Worthen, you have heard me
speak Of him."
''Tilly, has he come to take you
from me, after I have planned so hap
| py a future, when | get out am | to
lose you now, just as | am trying to
begin anew ?"
'No, my brother, though we are
plighted to each other, and shall at
some future time be joined in mar
riage, you will not lose me, but rather
Gain brother, for Fred, he is one to
to be proud Of Here he is, let him
speak for himself. Frank, this is my
brother"
eyes, lilly, we have met before
Mr.. Raymond can you forgive me after
working as have to your sorrow ?"
Crank Worthen, there was a time,
when ifyou had done this to me, and
| could have got at you, l should have
done you some injury but now |
thank you, heartily thank you, for
bringing this upon me, for I feel you
have saved me from the gallows.'
erred, for | must call you that now,
for your dear sisters sake, l entreat
you, when you arc free from this
prison, as | am sure you will soon be,
to try and be better man. Though
a comparative stranger to you, | am
sure you will pardon my freedom, for
we sEall soon be better acquainted.-
| can read in your face something
higher and nobler than q gamblers
life. speak plainly to you, for | feel
l have a right to do so, and | am sure
that had you had some bosom friend
in your earlier career you would have
been kept from the evil things you
have been led into. 1t is not too late
to mend now, Fred, and will you not
for our sakes, renounce your past life 2
''Frank, hear me, here in this cell,
on my bended knees | swear to you,
and lilly, tEat with the help Of God,
my days of crime are ended. Tilly
has told me all, and give you leave
to talk to me as a brother, yes heartily
do l receive you, for had you not stop
ped me in my evil way, God only
knows what the end would have been.
Excuse these tears. Would | had shed
them before, for they are tears of true
repentance
"Dear, dear brother, you do not
know how happy you have made me
to-day. Oh! that load of anxiety and
care you have lifted from my mind! !!
Many a night have midnight hours
passed, and the gray dawn found me
waiting to catch your footsteps; many
the prayers l have offered to Him
who doeth all things well, that He
would give me back my BROTHER
Now we must leave you for q little
while to see how soon we can get you
out of this dismal cell. wish l could
stay and share it with you, but must
90 to Edith, and in the name of our
old friendship, plead that she may for
give you the great wrong you have
done her, and that she may use her
influence with her father and Charlie
Wilmot in your behalf
"God reward yo6 for all you do and
have done for me, sister, for l never
can"
Eyes you can, and will, Fred, your
repentance, and mended life will pay
me thousand fold. But now we
must go, for every moment is priceless
till we do our utmost to stay tho pro-
ceediugs against you, Be of good
cheer, and trust you shall soon return
with us to the old home
We need not tell how Tilly plead
with Edith and gained her free for
giveness for Fred, and how Edith, by
her calm, quiet reasoning, gained
Charlie to her side, though his temper
was not quite cooled till she told him